An hybrid method that improves the accessibility of Steffensen's method (Q2249825)

There exist various iterative methods \(\{x_n\}\) for finding a solution \(x^*\) of the equation \[ F(x)=0, \tag{1} \] where \(F: \Omega\subset X \rightarrow X\) is a nonlinear operator defined on a nonempty open convex domain \(\Omega\) of a Banach space \(X\). Amongst these methods, Steffensen's method is known for its fast convergence speed but also for the technical difficulties in applying it in the case where (1) is a functional equation rather than a scalar equation. In the paper under review, the authors propose a way for improving Steffensen's method by using a simplified secant method in order to predict the initial approximation \(x_0\) in Steffensen's method. The hybrid method thus resulting is shown to converge to the solution \(x^*\) for nonlinear equations with both differentiable and nondifferentiable operators \(F\).