Doubt regarding Taylor's theorem

In summary, the two expressions for the Lagrange form of the remainder in Taylor's series are slightly different, with one giving the remainder after an (n+1)-term polynomial and the other after an n-term polynomial. The difference lies in the definition of ##h## and the powers of (x-a) in each expression.
  • #1
utkarshakash
Gold Member
854
13

Homework Statement


In Taylor's series, the Lagrange form of remainder is given by
[itex]R_n = \dfrac{f^{n+1}(t)(x-a)^{n+1}}{(n+1)!} \\ t \in [a,x][/itex]

whereas my book states that it is given by
[itex]\dfrac{h^n}{n!} f^n (a+ \theta h) \\ \theta(0,1) [/itex]

I don't see how these two are interrelated. Can anyone explain ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
utkarshakash said:

Homework Statement


In Taylor's series, the Lagrange form of remainder is given by
[itex]R_n = \dfrac{f^{n+1}(t)(x-a)^{n+1}}{(n+1)!} \\ t \in [a,x][/itex]

whereas my book states that it is given by
[itex]\dfrac{h^n}{n!} f^n (a+ \theta h) \\ \theta(0,1) [/itex]

I don't see how these two are interrelated. Can anyone explain ?

How is ##h## defined in the expression from your book? Obviously, if ##h = x-a## then your book's expression is the same as the Lagrange version, because if ##\theta \in [0,1]## then ##a + \theta h## is a number in ##[a,x]##.
 
  • #3
Ray Vickson said:
How is ##h## defined in the expression from your book? Obviously, if ##h = x-a## then your book's expression is the same as the Lagrange version, because if ##\theta \in [0,1]## then ##a + \theta h## is a number in ##[a,x]##.

But the book's version has nth derivative. Shouldn't it be n+1?
 
  • #4
It would be helpful to include some of the accompanying text in your book. It's possible that your text is giving the remainder after the terms of degree n - 1, while the more usual form you also show gives the remainder after terms of degree n.
 
  • #5
utkarshakash said:
But the book's version has nth derivative. Shouldn't it be n+1?

I agree with Mark44. One form gives the remainder after an (n+1)-term polynomial (where the powers of (x-a) go from 0 to n) while the other (perhaps) gives the remainder after an n-term polynomial (where the powers go from 0 to n-1).
 

Related to Doubt regarding Taylor's theorem

1. What is Taylor's theorem?

Taylor's theorem is a mathematical concept that states any infinitely differentiable function can be approximated by a polynomial function. It is used to evaluate the value of a function at a particular point by using the values of its derivatives at that point.

2. How is Taylor's theorem useful in scientific research?

Taylor's theorem is useful in scientific research as it allows for the approximation of complex functions by simpler polynomial functions. This can help in solving problems and making predictions in various fields such as physics, engineering, and economics.

3. What is the difference between Taylor's theorem and Maclaurin's theorem?

Taylor's theorem is a generalization of Maclaurin's theorem. While Maclaurin's theorem specifically applies to functions that are centered at x = 0, Taylor's theorem can be applied to any point x = a. Maclaurin's theorem is often used for simpler calculations, while Taylor's theorem is more versatile.

4. Are there any limitations to Taylor's theorem?

Yes, there are some limitations to Taylor's theorem. It assumes that the function is infinitely differentiable, which may not always be the case in real-life situations. Additionally, the accuracy of the approximation depends on the number of terms used in the polynomial, so using too few terms can lead to significant errors.

5. How can Taylor's theorem be applied in real-life situations?

Taylor's theorem can be applied in various real-life situations, such as in physics to approximate the motion of objects, in economics to model financial data, and in engineering to design and optimize systems. It can also be used in machine learning and data analysis to create predictive models based on existing data.

Similar threads

Back
Top