Iterations

More questions on this topic: A2 Pure: Numerical Methods (128)

From a Foundation paper

Edexcel

Edexcel · Old spec

AQA

OCR

Higher June 2025 Paper 2 Q18

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

18 At the start of year \(n\), the population of deer in a park is \(D_n\)
At the start of the following year, the population of the deer is \(D_{n+1}\)

\[D_{n+1} = K D_n \qquad \text{where } K \text{ is a constant.}\]

At the start of 2019, the population of the deer was 2000
At the start of 2020, the population of the deer was 2400

Show that, at the start of 2022, the population of the deer was greater than 3000 (3)

Higher June 2024 Paper 3 Q17

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterationsSequences

17 A ball is thrown upwards and reaches a maximum height.
The ball then falls and bounces repeatedly.

After the \(n\)th bounce, the ball reaches a height of \(h_n\)
After the next bounce, the ball reaches a height given by \(h_{n + 1} = 0.55h_n\)

After the 1st bounce, the ball reaches a height of 8 metres.

What height does the ball reach after the 4th bounce? (3)

Higher November 2023 Paper 2 Q17

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec6 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

17

(a) Show that the equation \(x^3 + 2x - 6 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\) (2)
(b) Show that the equation \(x^3 + 2x - 6 = 0\) can be rearranged to give \(x = \dfrac{6}{x^2 + 2}\) (1)
(c) Starting with \(x_0 = 1.45\)
use the iteration formula \(x_{n + 1} = \dfrac{6}{x_n^{\,2} + 2}\) twice to find an estimate for the solution of \(x^3 + 2x - 6 = 0\)
Give your answer correct to 4 decimal places. (3)

Higher June 2023 Paper 2 Q17

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

17

(a) Show that the equation \(x^4 - x^2 - 5 = 0\) can be written in the form \(x = \sqrt[4]{x^2 + 5}\) (1)
(b) Starting with \(x_0 = 1.5\)
use the iteration formula \(x_{n+1} = \sqrt[4]{x_n^2 + 5}\) three times to find an estimate for a solution of \(x^4 - x^2 - 5 = 0\) (3)

Higher November 2022 Paper 2 Q12

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

12 The number of insects in a population at the start of the year \(n\) is \(P_n\)

The number of insects in the population at the start of year \((n + 1)\) is \(P_{n+1}\) where

\[P_{n+1} = kP_n\]

Given that \(k\) has a constant value of 1.13

(a) find out how many years it takes for the number of insects in the population to double.
You must show how you get your answer. (2)

The value of \(k\) actually increases year on year from its value of 1.13 in year 1

(b) How does this affect your answer to part (a)? (1)

Higher June 2022 Paper 3 Q20

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksIterationsSequences

20 The profit made by a shop increases each year.

The profit made by the shop in year \(n\) is £\(P_n\)

Given that the profit made by the shop in the next year is £\(P_{n + 1}\) then

\(P_{n + 1} = aP_n + 800\) where \(a\) is a constant.

The table shows the profit made by the shop in 2018 and in 2019

Year20182019
Profit£24 000£29 600

Work out the profit predicted to be made by the shop in 2021 (4)

Higher November 2021 Paper 3 Q19

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterationsSequences

19 At the start of year \(n\), the number of animals in a population is \(P_n\)
At the start of the following year, the number of animals in the population is \(P_{n + 1}\) where

\(P_{n + 1} = kP_n\)

At the start of 2017 the number of animals in the population was 4000
At the start of 2019 the number of animals in the population was 3610

Find the value of the constant \(k\). (3)

Higher November 2021 Paper 2 Q16

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksIterations

16

(a) Use the iteration formula \(x_{n + 1} = \sqrt[3]{10 - 2x_n}\) to find the values of \(x_1\), \(x_2\) and \(x_3\)
Start with \(x_0 = 2\) (3)

The values of \(x_1\), \(x_2\) and \(x_3\) found in part (a) are estimates of the solution of an equation of the form \(x^3 + ax + b = 0\) where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers.

(b) Find the value of \(a\) and the value of \(b\). (1)

Higher November 2019 Paper 2 Q22

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec4 marksIterationsSequences

22 The number of rabbits on a farm at the end of month \(n\) is \(P_n\)
The number of rabbits at the end of the next month is given by \(P_{n+1} = 1.2P_n - 50\)

At the end of March there are 200 rabbits on the farm.

(a) Work out how many rabbits there will be on the farm at the end of June. (3)
(b) Considering your results in part (a), suggest what will happen to the number of rabbits on the farm after a long time. (1)

Higher November 2018 Paper 3 Q13

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec2 marksIterationsSequences

13 The number of animals in a population at the start of year \(t\) is \(P_t\)
The number of animals at the start of year 1 is 400

Given that

\(P_{t+1} = 1.01P_t\)

work out the number of animals at the start of year 3 (2)

Higher June 2018 Paper 3 Q18

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec6 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

18

(a) Show that the equation  \(x^3 + x = 7\)  has a solution between 1 and 2 (2)
(b) Show that the equation  \(x^3 + x = 7\)  can be rearranged to give  \(x = \sqrt[3]{7 - x}\) (1)
(c) Starting with \(x_0 = 2\),
use the iteration formula  \(x_{n+1} = \sqrt[3]{7 - x_n}\)  three times to find an estimate for a solution of  \(x^3 + x = 7\) (3)

Higher November 2017 Paper 3 Q15

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec9 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

15

(a) Show that the equation \(x^3 + 7x - 5 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 0\) and \(x = 1\) (2)
(b) Show that the equation \(x^3 + 7x - 5 = 0\) can be arranged to give \(x = \dfrac{5}{x^2 + 7}\) (2)
(c) Starting with \(x_0 = 1\), use the iteration formula \(x_{n+1} = \dfrac{5}{x_n^{\,2} + 7}\) three times to find an estimate for the solution of \(x^3 + 7x - 5 = 0\) (3)
(d) By substituting your answer to part (c) into \(x^3 + 7x - 5\), comment on the accuracy of your estimate for the solution to \(x^3 + 7x - 5 = 0\) (2)

Higher June 2017 Paper 3 Q16

EdexcelHigherCurrent spec5 marksIterations

16 Using \(x_{n+1} = -2 - \dfrac{4}{x_n^2}\)
with \(x_0 = -2.5\)

(a) find the values of \(x_1\), \(x_2\) and \(x_3\) (3)
(b) Explain the relationship between the values of \(x_1\), \(x_2\) and \(x_3\) and the equation \(x^3 + 2x^2 + 4 = 0\) (2)

1MA0 Higher June 2017 Paper 2 Q13

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

13 The equation \[x^3 + x = 21\] has a solution between 2 and 3

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show all your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher June 2016 Paper 2 Q7

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

7 The equation \[x^3 - 5x = 34\] has a solution between 3 and 4

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show all your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher June 2015 Paper 2 Q2

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

2 The equation

\[x^3 - x^2 = 30\]

has a solution between 3 and 4

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to one decimal place.

You must show ALL your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher November 2014 Paper 2 Q10

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

10 The equation

\[x^3 - 2x = 125\]

has a solution between 5 and 6

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

You must show all your working. (4)

1MA0 Foundation June 2013 Paper 2 Q24

EdexcelFoundationOld spec4 marksIterations

24 The equation

\(x^3 + 2x = 110\)

has a solution between 4 and 5

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to one decimal place.

You must show ALL your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher June 2013 Paper 2 Q10

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

10 The equation \[x^3 + 2x = 110\] has a solution between 4 and 5

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to one decimal place.
You must show ALL your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher March 2013 Paper 2 Q8

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

8 The equation

\[x^3 - 3x = 15\]

has a solution between 2 and 3

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show all your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher November 2012 Paper 2 Q11

EdexcelHigherOld spec6 marksForming EquationsIterations

11 The diagram shows a cube and a cuboid.

Cube with edges x and a cuboid measuring x by 5 by 2

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

All the measurements are in cm.

The volume of the cube is 100 cm\(^3\) more than the volume of the cuboid.

(a) Show that \(x^3 - 10x = 100\) (2)
(b) Use a trial and improvement method to find the value of \(x\).
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show all your working. (4)

1MA0 Higher June 2012 Paper 2 Q11

EdexcelHigherOld spec4 marksIterations

11 The equation

\[x^3 - 6x = 72\]

has a solution between 4 and 5

Use a trial and improvement method to find this solution.
Give your answer correct to one decimal place.
You must show all your working. (4)

Higher November 2024 Paper 2 Q20

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

20 Here is a formula for an iterative process.

\[u_{n + 1} = \dfrac{24}{u_n} + 4\]

\(u_2 = 8\)

Work out the values of \(\quad u_1\) and \(u_3\) [3 marks]

Higher June 2024 Paper 2 Q22

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

22

\(x_{n+1} = 5 - \dfrac{1}{x_n}\)

Use \(\quad x_1 = 1 \quad\) to work out an approximate solution to \(\quad x = 5 - \dfrac{1}{x}\)

Give your answer to 4 significant figures. [3 marks]

Higher November 2023 Paper 2 Q26

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

26 Rick borrows £1500 from a bank.

He pays back £100 each month.

This iterative formula works out the amount he still owes at the end of each month.

\(A_{n+1} = 1.02 \times A_n - 100\)

\(A_0 = 1500\)

Work out the amount he still owes at the end of the 2nd month. [3 marks]

Higher June 2023 Paper 2 Q22

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

22 An approximate value of a root of an equation, \(x\), can be found using the iterative formula

\[x_{n+1} = \sqrt[3]{5(x_n)^2 - 2x_n - 3}\]

The starting value is \(\ x_1 = 4\)

(a) Work out the values of \(x_2\) and \(x_3\) [2 marks]
(b) By continuing the iteration, show that the value of \(x\) is more than 4.25 [1 mark]

Higher November 2022 Paper 2 Q17

AQAHigherCurrent spec1 markIterations

17 A sequence of numbers is formed by the iterative process

\[u_{n+1} = \dfrac{20}{u_n + 3} \qquad \text{where} \qquad u_1 = 1\]

Work out \(u_3\)

Circle your answer. [1 mark]

  • \(\dfrac{40}{11}\)
  • \(\dfrac{5}{2}\)
  • 7
  • 5

Higher November 2021 Paper 3 Q30

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

30 A sphere has radius \(r\) cm

An approximate value of \(r\) can be found using the iterative formula

\(r_{n+1} = \sqrt{\dfrac{239}{r_n}}\)

The starting value is \(\quad r_1 = 7\)

(a) Work out the values of \(r_2\) and \(r_3\) [2 marks]
(b) Continue the iteration to work out the radius to 1 decimal place. [1 mark]

Higher November 2020 Paper 1 Q16

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksIterations

16 A sequence of numbers is formed by the iterative process

\[u_{n+1} = \frac{4}{u_n - 1} \qquad u_1 = 9\]

Work out the values of \(u_2\) and \(u_3\) [2 marks]

Higher November 2019 Paper 2 Q27

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

27 \(x_{n+1} = \sqrt[3]{3x_n + 7}\)

Use a starting value of \(\quad x_1 = 2 \quad\) to work out a solution to \(\quad x = \sqrt[3]{3x + 7}\)

Give your answer to 3 decimal places. [3 marks]

Higher November 2018 Paper 3 Q22

AQAHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

22 An approximate solution to an equation is found using the iterative formula

\(x_{n+1} = \dfrac{(x_n)^3 - 2}{10} \qquad\) with \(\quad x_1 = {-1}\)

(a) Work out the values of \(x_2\) and \(x_3\) [2 marks]
(b) Work out the solution to 5 decimal places. [1 mark]

Higher June 2018 Paper 3 Q23

AQAHigherCurrent spec2 marksIterations

23 A sequence of numbers is formed by the iterative process

\[u_{n+1} = \frac{3}{u_n + 1}, \qquad u_1 = 4\]

Work out the values of \(u_2\) and \(u_3\) [2 marks]

Higher June 2025 Paper 6 Q24

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

24

(a) Show that the equation \(x^4 + 3x^2 - 2x - 5 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\). [3]
(b) Find this solution correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show calculations to support your answer. [4]

Higher June 2025 Paper 4 Q18

OCRHigherCurrent spec6 marksIterationsSequences

18

(a) A sequence is defined by

\(u_{n+1} = ku_n - 2\), \(u_2 = 7\) and \(u_3 = 29.5\).

Find the value of \(k\). [3]

(b) Another sequence is defined by \(u_{n+1} = 6u_n - 7\).
(i) Find the value of \(u_1\) in the case when \(u_2 = 2 \times u_1\). [2]
(ii) Explain what happens to the sequence \(u_{n+1} = 6u_n - 7\) when \(u_1 = 1.4\). [1]

Higher November 2024 Paper 4 Q20

OCRHigherCurrent spec8 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

20

(a) Show that the equation \(x^3 - 3x - 4 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 2\) and \(x = 3\). [3]
(b) Use \(x = 2.5\) to find a smaller interval for the solution to \(x^3 - 3x - 4 = 0\).
You must show your working. [2]
(c) Find this solution correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show your working. [3]

Higher November 2023 Paper 6 Q16

16 The graph of \(y = x^5 - 70x - 150\) is sketched below.
The root of the equation \(x^5 - 70x - 150 = 0\) is \(p\).

Sketch of the curve y = x to the fifth minus 70x minus 150, crossing the positive x-axis once at p, with a local maximum and a local minimum both below the x-axis
(a) Show that \(3 < p < 4\). [3]
(b) Find a smaller interval that contains the value of \(p\).
You must show calculations to support your answer. [3]

Higher June 2023 Paper 4 Q18

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

18

(a) Show that the equation \(x^3 + x^2 - 5 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\). [3]
(b) Find this solution correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show calculations to support your answer. [4]

Higher June 2022 Paper 5 Q13

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksIterationsSolving Quadratics

13 The graph of \(y = x^2 + 6x - 2\) is shown below.
The roots of the equation \(x^2 + 6x - 2 = 0\) are at \(p\) and \(q\).

Sketch of a U-shaped parabola crossing the x-axis at p (negative) and q (positive, just to the right of O) and crossing the y-axis below O
(a)
(i) Calculate \(y\) when \(x = 1\). [1]
(ii) Without solving the equation, explain why \(q\) must lie between 0 and 1. [2]
(iii) Explain why using a method of iteration is not the most appropriate way of finding a solution to this equation. [1]
(b) The exact value of \(q\) is \(\dfrac{-6 + \sqrt{44}}{2}\).

Write \(\dfrac{-6 + \sqrt{44}}{2}\) in the form \(a + \sqrt{b}\). [3]

Higher November 2021 Paper 6 Q15

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

15

(a) Show that the equation \(x^3 - 5x - 1 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 2\) and \(x = 3\). [3]
(b) Find this solution correct to 1 decimal place.
You must show your working. [4]

Higher June 2019 Paper 6 Q20

OCRHigherCurrent spec7 marksIterationsShow That & Proof

20

(a) Show that the equation \(x^4 - x^2 - 9 = 0\) has a solution between \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\). [3]
(b) Find this solution correct to 1 decimal place.
Show your working. [4]

Higher November 2018 Paper 6 Q15

OCRHigherCurrent spec3 marksIterations

15 Use the formula \(x_{n+1} = \dfrac{(x_n)^3}{30} + 2\) with \(x_1 = 2\) to calculate \(x_2\) and \(x_3\).
Round your answers correct to 4 decimal places. [3]

Higher June 2018 Paper 6 Q9

OCRHigherCurrent spec6 marksIterationsShow That & ProofSubstitution

9 The graph of \(y = x^3 - 7x - 12\) is shown below.
The root of the equation \(x^3 - 7x - 12 = 0\) is \(p\).

Sketch of a cubic curve with a maximum and a minimum both below the x-axis, crossing the x-axis once at p on the positive x-axis
(a) Calculate \(y\) when \(x = 3\). [1]
(b) Show that \(3 \lt p \lt 4\). [2]
(c) Find a smaller interval that contains the value of \(p\).
You must show calculations to support your answer. [3]