Taylor Series Problem Solved: Coefficient of x^7

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the coefficient of \( x^7 \) in the Taylor series expansion of a function \( f(x) \), where \( f'(x) = \sin(x^2) \). Participants explore methods of integrating the Taylor series for \( \sin x \) and substituting \( x^2 \) to derive the necessary coefficient. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and application of Taylor series concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using term-by-term differentiation and integration for Taylor series to find the coefficient.
  • Another participant proposes substituting \( x^2 \) into the Taylor series for \( \sin x \) and integrating to find the coefficient of \( x^7 \).
  • A later reply confirms the coefficient as \( -\frac{1}{42} \) using a similar method of substitution and integration.
  • Another participant independently arrives at the same coefficient, detailing their approach of differentiating and integrating the series.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the coefficient of \( x^7 \) being \( -\frac{1}{42} \), but the methods of arriving at this conclusion vary. There is no explicit disagreement on the final result, but the approaches taken differ.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve potential assumptions regarding the convergence of the Taylor series or the validity of the methods used for integration and differentiation. Specific steps in the integration process are not fully detailed, leaving some mathematical steps unresolved.

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Help me out with this Taylor series problem:

The Taylor series for sin x about x = 0 is x-x^3/3!+x^5/5!-... If f is a function such that f '(x)=sin(x^2), then the coefficient of x^7 in the Taylor series for f(x) about x=0 is?

thanks
 
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You can use term-by-term differentiation and integration for Taylor Series. So just integrate the x^6 term for the Taylor Series of f'(x).

cookiemonster
 
Last edited:
Well, since you know that the Taylor series for [tex]\sin x=x-\frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^5}{5!}-\frac{x^7}{7!}+\cdots[/tex] then you can just plug in x^2 for x in the Taylor expansion, so it would become:[tex]\sin x^2=x^2-\frac{x^6}{3!}[/tex]. Now you can integrate [tex]f'(x)[/tex] as the taylor approximation, with: [tex]\int x^2-\frac{x^6}{3!}\,dx[/tex] which is equal to [tex]\frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{7}\cdot\frac{x^7}{3!} = \frac{x^3}{3}-\frac{x^7}{3!\cdot7}[/tex]. So this would make the coefficient [tex]-\frac{1}{42}[/tex]
 
I got same. [tex]\frac{-1}{42}[/tex]

I used the [tex]\sin x = 1-\frac{x^2}{2!}+\frac{x^4}{4!}-\frac{x^6}{6!}[/tex] then you plug in [tex]x^2[/tex]... the same... and then differentiate... you get [tex]2x\sinx[/tex] and you divide both sides with [tex]2x[/tex]... you get [tex]\frac{2x^3}{2!}-\frac{4x^6}{4!}+\frac{6x^10}{6!}[/tex] Integrate... look at [tex]x^7[/tex] [tex]\frac{-4x^7}{7*4!}[/tex] same as [tex]\frac{-1}{42}[/tex]
 

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