nth root algorithm

This online calculator implements nth root algorithm to find the principal nth root of a positive real number.

Out of curiosity, this calculator implements nth root algorithm. This is iterative algorithm which is said to be very fast-converging, so the calculator lists the results of each iteration: current computed root value and current delta from previously computed root value. Calculator stops the iterations when desired precision is obtained, in other words, when the delta between previous and current computed roots is less than a precision. The description of the algorithm can be found below the calculator.

PLANETCALC, nth root algorithm

nth root algorithm

Digits after the decimal point: 4
nth root
 
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nth root algorithm

The algorithm is quite simple.

Step 1. Make an initial guess

x_{0}

In this calculator to get initial guess I simply divide number by root's degree if number is more than 1, and multiply by root's degree otherwise.

Step 2. Set

x_{k+1}={\frac {1}{n}}\left[{(n-1)x_{k}+{\frac {A}{x_{k}^{n-1}}}}\right].

For precision check, it is more practical to compute delta separately

\Delta x_{k}={\frac {1}{n}}\left[{\frac {A}{x_{k}^{n-1}}}-x_{k}\right];\\ \\x_{k+1}=x_{k}+\Delta x_{k}.

Step 3. Repeat step 2 until the desired precision is reached:

|\Delta x_{k}|<\epsilon.

The algorithm can be derived from Newton's method for

f(x)=x^{n}-A,

where x is the root, and A is positive real number.

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PLANETCALC, nth root algorithm

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