Math 113, Fall 2004, Prof. Sachs Maple Assignment 2, due Wednesday, December 1
This assignment will enhance your understanding of Newton’s Method for solving f(x) = 0.
You will work on this in student computer labs (Johnson Center, Innovation) or with a
personal copy of Maple. You may collaborate with other students, but your final work
should be yours and you should be capable of explaining it on an exam or quiz.
The assignment: Carry out the calculations requested below. Turn in a print-out from your
work with answers to the questions. Use the attached cover sheet for your assignment.
1. Create a numerical estimate for πby solving the equation cos(x/2) = 0 starting at
x0= 2.5.
2. Create another estimations for πby solving tan(x/4) −1 = 0.
3. Do problem 23 from text, section 3.7, using Maple.
The following sample Maple code will be very useful. Here I am calculating the square
root of 5 by solving x2−5 = 0.
> f := x−> x2−5; (call f the function)
> df := x−>2∗x; (call the derivative df)
> Digits := 20; (tell Maple to display 20 digits)
> x[1] := 2; (start at 1)
> f or n f rom 1to 10 do x[n+ 1] := x[n]−f(x[n])/df (x[n]); od; (do the
loop – end is od)
