divergence
What divergence means in Mathematics A-Level, as defined for Pearson Edexcel, WJEC.
Definitions of divergence
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Reference: WJEC
When f'(xₙ) is close to zero the tangent sends the subsequent iterate far from the root, or in fixed-point iteration whenever |g'(x)| > 1 near the root.
Behaviour in which successive approximations move away from a fixed point or fail to settle towards a limit.
The behaviour of an iterative sequence that does not approach one limiting value.
Topics that use divergence
- Numerical methods (Pearson Edexcel A-Level)
- Numerical Methods (A2 Unit 3: Pure Mathematics B) (WJEC A-Level)
Related terms
- cobweb diagram
- fixed-point iteration
- Newton-Raphson method
- staircase diagram
- Trapezium rule
- Bisection and interval narrowing
- bounds for the true integral
- change of sign
Using divergence in the exam
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