BISECTION METHOD(BOLZANO METHOD)

This method describes a procedure to locate the

root of the equation f (x)  0, between two real
numbers a and b, ab.
 METHOD

Let f (x) be continuous function in the interval  a, b

f (a) fand
(b) and are of opposite
signs. Then we know that there exists aaroot b
f (a)0
between andf (b)0.
Let
(a, b) and .We now bisectx the interval
1
and denote thea mid b point by ,so that
x1 
2
 Working Rule

• If f (x1)  0 then x1 is root of f (x)  0.

• If f (x1)  0 ,then the root lies between a and x1 or x1 and b
f (x1)0 or f (x1)0
Case-I: Let f (x1)0 ,then the root lies between a and x1 then the
2n approximation is x2  a  x1 .  f (a)0
2
Case-II: Let f (x1)0 ,then the root lies between x1 and b then the
2n approximation is x  x1  b  f (b)0
2
2

If f (x )  0 then x is root of f (x)  0.

2 2
 Continue

• Otherwise( f (x2 )  0 ) the root lies between a and x2 or x2 and

x1 depending on f (x2 )0 or f (x2 )0 .

Now choose that interval in which the root lies and bisect and
continue the process until the root is found desired accuracy.
 PROBLEMS

Find a real root of the equation x 1 0 lying between 1

3
I. x
and 2 to three places of decimal by using bisection method.
II. Find the positive real root of the equation x log 10 x  1.2
using bisection method in four iteration.
III. Find positive real root of the equation x  cos x  0 by using
bisection method .
1(v): Find a root of the equation e x
 3x using the
bisection method.
Solution: Let f (x)  e  3x
x

f (0)  e  0  1
0
f (1)  e  3  0.2817
1

Thus root is lying between 0 & 1

Calculations are shown in the table
f (x)  e  3x
x
0 0.5 0.625 0.75 1

+ + - - -
i a b xi 
a  b
f ( xi )
2

f ( 0 . 5 )  0 . 1487
1 0 1 0.5

2 0.5 1 0.75
f ( 0 . 75 )   0 . 133
f ( 0 . 625 )   0 . 0068
3 0.5 0.75 0.625