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Homework Statement
Suppose f is a real function on [a, b], n is a positive integer, and [tex]\f^{(n-1)}[/tex]
exists for every t in [a, b]. Let [tex]\alpha,\beta [/tex], and P be as in Taylor’s theorem
(5.15). Define
[tex]\ Q(t) = \frac{f(t)-f(\beta)}{t-\beta}[/tex]
for [tex]\ t \in [a, b], t \neq \beta [/tex],
differentiate
[tex]\ f(t)-f(\beta)=(t-\beta)Q(t)[/tex]
n − 1 times at [tex]\ t = \alpha[/tex], and derive an alternate Taylor’s theorem:
[tex]\ f(\beta)=P(\beta)+\frac{Q^{(n-1)}(\alpha)}{(n-1)!}(\beta-\alpha)^{n}[/tex] (I had to put this here to make the above expression stay on one line)
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
So first I did the differentiation n-1 times, you notice a pattern and since f(beta) is constant, you get
[tex]\ f^{(n}}(t)= nQ^{(n-1)}+(t-\beta)^nQ^{(n)}(t)[/tex]
Then from Taylor's theorem we know that
[tex]\ f(\beta) = P(\beta) + \frac{f^{(n)}(x)}{n!}(\beta - \alpha)^{n}[/tex]
Just plugging in that expression into Taylor's theorem is real damn close to the result I need. How do I get rid of the extra Q^{(n)} in the numerator? (or is my differentiation wrong and I'm not catching it?)
Thanks a mil guys.
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