MTH 261 PROBLEM-BASED ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS FOR SECONDARY TEACHERS

Intern: Mrs. Linda Anderson Supervisor: Dr. Douglas Lapp

MODULE 2

Iterations of Functions

Relevant Mathematical Concepts Involved in the Exploration: Functions Composition of Functions Fixed Point Iteration

Function notation (i.e. 2 = ) Infinity Concept of Limits Domain and Range Sequences and Series Patterns Simplifying Expressions: Solving, Distribution, Substitution Evaluating Expressions Identity

COMMON THREADS FOR TEACHING

Discuss previous concepts about functions (Prior knowledge) Ensure they know how to compose functions Exploration (create their own functions, do at least 2 compositions) Make sure to have them explore some specific functions that illustrate what it is you want them to see. Discuss vocabulary: fixed point

DOES EVERY F(X) HAVE A FIXED POINT?

CAN THERE BE MORE THAN ONE FIXED POINT?

WIKISINEDUCATION.WETPAINT.COM

ITERATIONS AND FIXED POINTS

Using iterations to find roots of equations

LETS EXPLORE THE EQUATION

= + 2

How could we use what we learned about iterations to find the roots (zeros) of this function?

 = + 2
SINCE FIXED POINTS IMPLY THAT = WE NEED TO WRITE IT IN THAT FORM

= + 2 = 0 + 2 =

USE A SPREADSHEET TO DO THE ITERATIONS

USE A SPREADSHEET TO DO THE ITERATIONS

Fixed Point at about 4.0

LOOK AT THE GRAPH TO CONFIRM YOUR GUESS

SINCE FIXED POINTS IMPLY THAT = WE NEED TO WRITE IT IN THAT FORM

= + 2 = 0 + 2 = Was this the only way to write this?

WHAT ABOUT THIS..

= + 2 = 0 = 2 = 2 2 Does this change the value of the fixed point? Explore

ITERATIONS AND FIXED POINTS

Newtons Method

Newtons method makes use of the derivative (and its iterates) of a function to approximate the zeros of the function.

Equation of the tangent line to the curve at 0 , (0 )

In trying to find the smallest epsilon to make this equal to zero, we can use iterates:

(0 ) 1 = 0 (0 )