Taylor differentition polynomials?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Taylor polynomial of degree 4 for the function f(x) = cos(pi*x / 6) about the point x = -1. Participants are exploring the application of the Taylor series formula and the calculation of derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the Taylor series formula and calculate the necessary derivatives, expressing confusion about the fourth derivative and the application of the formula. Some participants suggest alternative methods for deriving the polynomial, while others discuss the implications of changing the center of the expansion.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering different perspectives on the approach to take. Some guidance has been provided regarding the calculation of derivatives and the application of the Taylor series formula, but there is no explicit consensus on the best method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted complexity in applying the Taylor series formula, and some participants question the clarity of the original poster's understanding of the process. The discussion also touches on the potential for alternative methods to simplify the problem.

dagg3r
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taylor differentition polynomials?

hi got a question here that involves this extremely difficult question anyone that can point me in the right direction on what to do will be most appreciated :)

Find Exactly the tayor polynomial of degree 4
f(x) = cos ( pi*x / 6 ) about x=-1


i know the the formula says f^(nth derivative)(a) (x-a)^n / n! when trying to apply this equation what i did was

f(x)=cos(pi*x/6)
f'= (-pi/6)sin(pix/6)
f``= (-pi^2 / 36)cos(pix/6)
f```= (pi^3/216)sin(pix/6)

do i do the same for f````?

once i get that


do i apply the formula and sub x=-1 and get example

cos(pi/6) + (-pi/6)sin(pi/6) * (x-(-1)/1!) - this is an example of the first one?

whats going to be the forth one? confused!

and now for the ralph Newton

it says consider the equation

cos x = 1.3x^1.3

what i thought i did was cos x - 1.3x^1.3 = 0
rearrange the equation then i differentitaed the equation therefore got

f`= -sin(x) - 1.69x^0.3

and try to apply the formula
xn+1 = xn - f(xn) / f`(xn)

how do i apply this? thanks
 
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You are on the right track with the first one. The series goes on forever. You stop adding terms when the approximation is good enough for any particular application. Take that fourth derivative and apply the general formula for each term in the series.

Be careful with your factorials. This

(-pi/6)sin(pi/6) * (x-(-1)/1!)

should say

(-pi/6)sin(pi/6) * (x-(-1))/1!
 
Last edited:
Well it's a standard Taylor polynomial that

[tex]\cos{x} = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^4}{4!}...[/tex]

So how would the new center and cosine being evaluated at [tex]\frac{\pi{x}}{6}[/tex] change the polynomial?
 
In my view, the simplest way to do this is as follows:
[tex]f(x)=\cos(\frac{\pi{x}}{6})=\cos(\frac{\pi}{6}(x+1)-\frac{\pi}{6})=\cos(\frac{\pi}{6})\cos(\frac{\pi}{6}(x+1))+\sin(\frac{\pi}{6})\sin(\frac{\pi}{6}(x+1))[/tex]
In this manner, you can easily use the familiar sin/cos expansion around zero.
 
I dunno,Arildno,it still looks simpler the way he did it,just by plugging in Taylor's formula...

Daniel.
 
Well, each to his own, I guess.
However I do think it is easier to avoid making mistakes in the series expansion through my way, by reducing it to the most common series expansions of sine and cosine (i.e, about 0).

Besides, since OP found the plugging into Taylor's formula very tough, it might be of advantage for himto see an alternate way of doing it.
 
Last edited:
Yeah,whatever.It's good we have divergent opinions converging to a common answer...

someone else said:
"i know the the formula says f^(nth derivative)(a) (x-a)^n / n! "

Daniel.
 
More importantly, it's good to know both techniques. :smile:

For example, one trick for finding the n-th derivative of a function is to figure out its Taylor series by alternate means.

For example, for f(x) = e^(x^2), what is f(100)(0)?
 
dagg3r said:
whats going to be the forth one? confused!

You do have that straight by now right?

Just use the formula:

[tex]f(x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{f^{(n)}(a)}{n!}(x-a)^n[/tex]

The plot is what you get with four.
 

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