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International Conference on Numerical Computations: Theory and Algorithms

NUMTA 2019: Numerical Computations: Theory and Algorithms pp 463–477Cite as

A Computational Approach with MATLAB Software for Nonlinear Equation Roots Finding in High School Maths

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 11973))

Abstract

The paper focuses on solving the nonlinear equation \( f\left( x \right) = 0, \) one of the classic topics of Numerical Analysis present in the syllabus of experimental sections of Italian high schools in secondary education. The main objective of this paper is to propose an example of constructivist teaching practice emphasizing the computational approach with the use of MATLAB software.

MATLAB is a high-performance language for technical computing, but it is also suitable for high school maths class teaching because of its powerful numeric engine, combined with interactive visualization tools. All this helps to keep teaching and learning of this part of mathematics alive and attractive.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This is polynomial interpolation field.

  2. 2.

    To write our program in MATLAB it is important to distinguish between a program (or MATLAB script) and a function. MATLAB scripts are “main programs” and functions are that which is written and can be used in them. The functions must be stored in the same directory where the script is which calls them. A MATLAB-script is stored as an M-file (a file with the suffix .m) and is executed in the command window by typing its name without the suffix.

  3. 3.

    Which are stored in base 2 in the systems currently in use (Standard IEEE754).

  4. 4.

    Indeed, 23 = 8 e 24 = 16 or, more simply log210 = 3.32…..

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy

    Annarosa Serpe

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  1. Annarosa Serpe
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Correspondence to Annarosa Serpe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Calabria, Rende, Italy

    Yaroslav D. Sergeyev

  2. University of Calabria, Rende, Italy

    Dmitri E. Kvasov

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Serpe, A. (2020). A Computational Approach with MATLAB Software for Nonlinear Equation Roots Finding in High School Maths. In: Sergeyev, Y., Kvasov, D. (eds) Numerical Computations: Theory and Algorithms. NUMTA 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 11973. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39081-5_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39081-5_40

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-39080-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-39081-5

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