Efficient three-step iterative methods with sixth order convergence for nonlinear equations (Q964213)

The authors compose known methods with Newton's method for solving nonlinear equations to obtain higher order methods and approximate the last derivative by using different techniques in order to improve the efficiency index. The first method is constructed by composing the Potra-Pták's method [cf. \textit{F.-A. Potra} and \textit{V. Pták}, Nondiscrete induction and iterative processes. (1984; Zbl 0549.41001)] with Newton's method and substituting adequately the derivative by a divided difference obtaining a sixth order method with efficiency index 1.565. Another sixth order method is constructed with the same efficiency index from Homeier's method [cf. \textit{H. H. H. Homeier}, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 176, No.~2, 425--432 (2005; Zbl 1063.65037)] in substituting the derivative by linear interpolation. The convergence orders of the two methods are established. Numerical test results are presented to compare the efficiency of the two methods against some classical methods.