GATE 2012 CS (CS1) – Question 38
Apply bisection to $f(x)=x^4-x^3-x^2-4$ on [1,9]. After how many iterations is an exact zero found?
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Correct answer: (B) 3
Explanation
Midpoints are 5, then 3, then 2, with f(1)=−5 and positive values at 5 and 3. At 2, f(2)=16−8−4−4=0. Thus bisection finds the exact root at the third iteration, B, rather than requiring an unspecified approximation tolerance.