Abstract
The article starts with a presentation of a straight-forward global root finding algorithm featuring Newton-Raphson-like local root finding to find all solutions. After an analysis of the causes why it may fail, strategies are given to improve root finding. The strategies are tested and statistically analyzed with respect to two practical mechanical engineering problems: determining the point positions of an Assur group of third order and determining the translation and orientation of a Stewart Gough platform. In conclusion, ten advices are given on how to do root finding successfully and quickly.