Newton's method

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. a process for approximating the roots of an equation by replacing the curve representing the equation by its tangent and finding the intersection of the tangent with the x-axis and iterating this process.

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Etymology

Origin of Newton's method

After I. Newton

Example Sentences

Typically, Newton’s method is an efficient method for finding a particular root.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

First, let’s look at the reasons why Newton’s method could fail to find a root.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

From Example 4.48, we see that Newton’s method does not always work.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Therefore, any subsequent application of Newton’s method will most likely give the same value for xn.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

This process, the first half of calculus, is now known as differentiation; however, Newton's method of differentiation doesn't look very much like the one we use today.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife