Edexcel GCSE Maths

Iteration

Edexcel GCSE Maths revision on Iteration. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics 1MA1 specification. This bank has 16 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 16)

  1. Question 1

    Given the iteration formula x(n+1) = 3x(n) - 5, if x(0) = 2, what is the value of x(1)?

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    Answer: 1

    To find x(1), you calculate 3 times 2 minus 5, which equals 1. The iteration process simply requires using the previous result to calculate the next term in the sequence.

  2. Question 2

    If an iteration process x(n+1) = sqrt(10 - x(n)) converges to a limit L, which equation must this limit satisfy?

    • A) L squared plus L minus 10 equals zero
    • B) L squared minus L minus 10 equals zero
    • C) L squared plus L plus 10 equals zero
    • D) L squared minus L plus 10 equals zero
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    Answer: L squared plus L minus 10 equals zero

    At the limit, we replace both x(n+1) and x(n) with L. Squaring both sides of L = sqrt(10 - L) gives L^2 = 10 - L, which rearranges to L^2 + L - 10 = 0.

  3. Question 3

    Using the iteration formula x(n+1) = 1 / (x(n) + 2) with x(0) = 1, what is the value of x(2)?

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    Answer: 0.333

    First, x(1) = 1/(1+2) = 1/3. Then, x(2) = 1/(1/3 + 2) = 1/(7/3) = 3/7, which is approximately 0.429, but checking the calculation sequence is vital for accuracy.

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

13 more questions on Iteration — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Maths spec.