Solving Single Variable Equations

Abstract

The problem of solving the equation f(x) = 0 is among the most storied in all of mathematics, and it is with this problem that we initiate our study of computational science. We assume functions have their natural domains in the real numbers. For instance, a function like $\sqrt {x}$ exists over the collection of nonnegative reals. The right-hand side being zero is not generally restrictive since solving either f(x) = k or g(x) = h(x) can be re-expressed as f(x) − k = 0 or g(x) − h(x) = 0. Hence looking for roots provides a general method to solve equations.