Average-case results for zero finding (Q582817)

Let (*) f:[0,1]\(\to {\mathbb{R}}\) be a continuous function, \(f(0)<0\), \(f(1)>0\). As further information on f let \(n\in {\mathbb{N}}\) evaluations of f(x) be available which are computed sequentially. The author surveys recent average-case results for the approximate solution of the nonlinear equation \(f(x)=0\) and proves a new result of this type. He shows that the bisection method is not optimal (as in the worst case) for a number of classes of functions (*). As a central means of proof different suitable probability measures are used. No examples.