206.11.3.39 Find the first four nonzero terms of the Taylor series

In summary, the first four nonzero terms of the Taylor series for $f(x)=\frac{1}{(1+x)^2}$ when $x$ is close to 0 are $1-2x+3x^2-4x^3$. Therefore, when $x=0.14$, $f(x)$ can be approximated as 0.77.
  • #1
karush
Gold Member
MHB
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$\tiny{206.11.3.39}$
$\textsf{a. Find the first four nonzero terms
of the Taylor series $a=0$}$

\begin{align}
\displaystyle
f^0(x)&=(1+x)^{-2} &\therefore \ \ f^0(a)&= 1 \\
f^1(x)&=\frac{-2}{(x+1)^3} &\therefore \ \ f^1(a)&= -2 \\
f^2(x)&=\frac{6}{(x+1)^4} &\therefore \ \ f^2(a)&= 6 \\
f^3(x)&=\frac{-24}{(x+1)^5} &\therefore \ \ f^3(a)&= -24 \\
\end{align}
$\textsf{so then}$
\begin{align}
\displaystyle
f\left(x\right)&\approx\frac{1}{0!}x^{0}
+\frac{-2}{1!}x^{1}+\frac{6}{2!}x^{2}+\frac{-24}{3!}x^{3} \\
f\left(x\right)&\approx 1-2x+3x^{2}-4x^{3}
\end{align}

$\textsf{b. approximate $\frac{1 }{1,14^{-2}}$ }\\$

$\textsf{not sure where this is plugged in??}$
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
karush said:
$\textsf{b. approximate $\frac{1 }{1,14^{-2}}$ }\\$
At a guess are you asking about \(\displaystyle (1 + 0.14)^{-2}\) ?

In that case you are looking at x = 0.14

-Dan
 
  • #3
ok I see..
was going to plug the whole thing in..

but if $x=1.14$ then

$$f(x)\approx 1-2(1.14)+3(1.14)^2-4(1.14)^3\approx 0.77$$
 
  • #4
karush said:
ok I see..
was going to plug the whole thing in..

but if $x=1.14$ then

$$f(x)\approx 1-2(1.14)+3(1.14)^2-4(1.14)^3\approx 0.77$$
Look at your problem more carefully. You have the Taylor series for \(\displaystyle (1 + x)^{-2}\) for x close to 0. You want to approximate \(\displaystyle (1 + 0.14)^{-2}\). Comparing the two expressions you can see that we want x = 0.14, not 1.14.

-Dan
 
  • #5
$\textsf{Ok i put $0.14$ in the TI so $f(x)\approx 0.77$ but didn't in the post.}$
☕
 
Last edited:
  • #6
$\displaystyle \begin{align*} f(x) &= \frac{1}{\left( 1 + x \right) ^2} \end{align*}$

Notice that $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x}\,\left( -\frac{1}{1 + x} \right) = \frac{1}{\left( 1 + x \right) ^2} \end{align*}$ and

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} -\frac{1}{1 + x} &= -\frac{1}{1 - \left( -x \right) } \\ &= -\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}{ \left( -x \right) ^n } \textrm{ for } \left| -x \right| < 1 \implies \left| x \right| < 1 \\ &= -\sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}{ \left( -1 \right) ^n \, x^n } \\ &= \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}{ \left( -1 \right) ^{n + 1}\,x^n } \\ \\ \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x}\,\left( -\frac{1}{1 + x} \right) &= \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x} \,\left[ \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}{ \left( -1 \right) ^{n + 1}\,x^n } \right] \\ \frac{1}{\left( 1 + x \right)^2} &= \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty}{ \left( -1 \right) ^{n+ 1}\,n\,x^{n - 1} } \\ &= 0 + 1 - 2\,x + 3\,x^2 - 4\,x^3 + \dots \textrm{ for } \left| x \right| < 1 \end{align*}$

so the first four nonzero terms are $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 1 - 2\,x + 3\,x^2 - 4\,x^3 \end{align*}$.
 

FAQ: 206.11.3.39 Find the first four nonzero terms of the Taylor series

What is a Taylor series?

A Taylor series is a mathematical representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms, where each term is a derivative of the function evaluated at a specific point.

What is the purpose of finding the first four nonzero terms of a Taylor series?

The first four nonzero terms of a Taylor series provide an approximate representation of a function, making it easier to analyze and manipulate mathematically.

How does one find the first four nonzero terms of a Taylor series?

To find the first four nonzero terms of a Taylor series, one must take the first four derivatives of the function at a given point and evaluate them at that point.

What is the significance of using a nonzero term in a Taylor series?

A nonzero term in a Taylor series indicates that the term is not equal to zero, meaning it is a crucial part of the function's approximation and cannot be ignored.

What is the difference between a Taylor series and a Maclaurin series?

A Taylor series is a general representation of a function at any given point, while a Maclaurin series is a specific type of Taylor series where the point of evaluation is at x=0.

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