Newton's Method Example (Python)

''' Newton_method3.py
find value for x in f(x) = 0 using Newton's method

see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_method

tested with Python27, IronPython273 and Python33 by vegaseat 08jan2013
'''

def derivative(f):
    def compute(x, dx):
        return (f(x+dx) - f(x))/dx
    return compute

def newtons_method(f, x, dx=0.000001, tolerance=0.000001):
    '''f is the function f(x)'''
    df = derivative(f)
    while True:
        x1 = x - f(x)/df(x, dx)
        t = abs(x1 - x)
        if t < tolerance:
            break
        x = x1
    return x

def f(x):
    '''
    here solve x for ...
    3*x**5 - 2*x**3 + 1*x - 37 = 0
    '''
    return 3*x**5 - 2*x**3 + 1*x - 37


x_approx = 1  # rough guess
# f refers to the function f(x)
x = newtons_method(f, x_approx)

print("Solve for x in 3*x**5 - 2*x**3 + 1*x - 37 = 0")
print("x = %0.12f" % x)

''' result ...
Solve for x in 3*x**5 - 2*x**3 + 1*x - 37 = 0
x = 1.722575335786
'''

# optional test (result should be close to zero)
# change dx and tolerance level to make it a little closer
print("Testing with the above x value ...")
print("%0.12f" % (3*x**5 - 2*x**3 + 1*x - 37))  

''' result ...
0.000000399251
'''