
Root-finding algorithms
Root-finding algorithms are methods used to identify the points where a function equals zero, essentially finding the solutions or "roots" of equations. Think of it like locating the points where a curve crosses the x-axis. These algorithms iteratively make educated guesses and refine them based on the function's behavior until they converge on an accurate solution. They are essential in science and engineering for solving equations that can't be easily rearranged into explicit solutions. Popular methods include bisection, Newton-Raphson, and secant, each balancing complexity and precision to efficiently find roots.