Quadratically convergent multiple roots finding method without derivatives (Q5948824)

According to the fact that multiple root finding of a single nonlinear equation (1) \(f(x)=0\) may be reduced to simple root finding of a corresponding equation (2) \(F(x)=0\), the authors use a modified Steffensen's method, given by \[ x_{n+1}=x_n-F(x_n){F(x_n)+(F(x_n+F(x_n))-F(x_n))/F(x_n)}^{-1}, \tag{3} \] which does not involve any derivative of \(F\). However, in order to prove that (3) is at least quadratic convergent, the existence of the second derivative of \(F\) is assumed. Numerical examples are given for single root equations of the form (2), as well as for multiple roots equations of the form (1).