Analysis of the quasi-Laguerre method

Abstract.

The quasi-Laguerre's iteration formula, using first order logarithmic derivatives at two points, is derived for finding roots of polynomials. Three different derivations are presented, each revealing some different properties of the method. For polynomials with only real roots, the method is shown to be optimal, and the global and monotone convergence, as well as the non-overshooting property, of the method is justified. Different ways of forming quasi-Laguerre's iteration sequence are addressed. Local convergence of the method is proved for general polynomials that may have complex roots and the order of convergence is $1+\sqrt{2}$.