Section 13: Finding the Roots of an Equation 187

Because the absolute-value function is minimum near an argument of zero, specify the initial estimates in that region, for instance 1 and -1. Then attempt to find a root.

Keystrokes

Display

¥

 

1 v

1.0000

1 “

–1

´_1

Error 8

Run mode.

Initial estimates.

This display indicates that no root was found.

0.0000

Clear error display.

As you can see, the HP-15C stopped seeking a root of f(x) = 0 when it decided that none existed – at least not in the general range of x to which it was initially directed. The Error 8 display does not indicate that an ―illegal‖ operation has been attempted; it merely states that no root was found where _presumed one might exist (based on your initial estimates).

If the HP-15C stops seeking a root and displays an error message, one of these three types of conditions has occurred:

If repeated iterations all produce a constant nonzero value for the specified function, execution stops with the display Error 8.

If numerous samples indicate that the magnitude of the function appears to have a nonzero minimum value in the area being searched, execution stops with the display Error 8.

If an improper argument is used in a mathematical operation as part of your subroutine, execution stops with the display Error 0.

In the case of a constant function value, the routine can see no indication of a tendency for the value to move toward zero. This can occur for a function whose first 10 significant digits are constant (such as when its graph levels off at a nonzero horizontal asymptote) or for a function with a relatively broad, local ―flat‖ region in comparison to the range of x-values being tried.

In the case where the function's magnitude reaches a nonzero minimum, the routine has logically pursued a sequence of samples for which the magnitude has been getting smaller. However, it has not found a value of x at which the function's graph touches or crosses the x-axis.