Calculating Uncertainty in Mass of a Star Using Taylor Series Expansion

[nissanztt90]

Homework Statement

Need to calculate fractional uncertainty f, of M (mass of a star in this case), where f is much less than one. The hint i was given was all i need to know is M \alpha d³, and use a taylor expansion to the first order in f.

M = mass of a star, d = distance to star

Homework Equations

M \alpha d³

The Attempt at a Solution

Firstly, I am stuck at what the \alpha means, I've never seen it used before in this sense, at least not that i remember. Cut and paste shows it to be a division sign, although that doesn't mean much. I am not very strong with taylor expansions at all. Assuming that the \alpha is supposed to be a division sign...

f(x) = M/d³ then...

f(a) + (f`(a)/1!)(x-a) then...

M/d³ + 1/d³(x-a) would be the first order? I am guessing you take the derivative with respect to M. Would 1/d³ be my uncertainty since that is the first order? Its been awhile since i worked on taylor expansions and I am very confused.

 

[gabbagabbahey]

The \propto means "directly proportional to", so that the equation M(d) \propto d^3 says that M(d) is directly proportional to d^3. It could mean that M(d)=2.6876d^3 or M(d)=-97d^3 for example. Since you aren't told what the constant of proportionality is, just call it \kappa so that M(d) \propto d^3 \quad \Rightarrow M(d)=\kappa d^3

What is f supposed to be? Is it a function of M?

 

[Redbelly98]

The \alpha means "is proportional to". Alternatively, you could say

M = a d³
where "a" is a constant.

Do you know what "d" is?

I'll take an educated guess that you are to write f in terms of the fractional error in d, which you could call f_d or maybe Δd/d

Another educated guess: you didn't quite copy the problem statement properly. If you are really to find f "to the first order in f", the answer is simply

f=f

 

[nissanztt90]

Here is the exact question:

Lets call the fractional uncertainty on the distance to the Galactic center f, meaning that we think the true distance is with in d₀ +/- fd₀ (where D₀ is our best guess and f is much smaller than 1). What is the fractional uncertainty on M? Hint: All you need to know is M \alpha d³ and then use a Taylor expansion to first order in f.

If M is directly proportional to d³, then wouldn't the fractional uncertainty be proportional to f? So if f_d = f, and M is proportional to d³, then would f_M = f^1/3?

f is the fractional uncertainty, not a function of mass or distance i don't believe.

 

[Redbelly98]

Okay, so f is the fractional uncertainty of d, not of M as you suggested originally.

If M is directly proportional to d³, then wouldn't the fractional uncertainty be proportional to f? .

It is. But that does not mean they are equal. Proportional does not mean equal.

Since M α d³, see what happens when you expand

(d₀ +/- fd₀)³

 

[nissanztt90]

So is my f(a) = (d₀+/- fd₀)³, then i take the first derivative with respect to f? f`(a) = +/-d₀(x-a)? I am so confused by series expansion.

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Basically you have M(d)=\kappa d^3= \kappa (d_0 \pm fd_0)^3 =\kappa d_0^3 (1 \pm f)^3
You are given that f is much smaller than 1, so you want to do a Taylor series expansion of g(f)=(1 \pm f)^3 about the point f=0. (I'm using g here so that you don't confuse your f's)

The Taylor series of g(f) about the point f=0 is:

g(f)=g(0)+\frac{g&#039;(0)f}{1!}+\frac{g&#039;&#039;(0)f<br /> ^2}{2!}+\ldots

 

[nissanztt90]

Alright, and then the expansion to the first order would be g(0) + g'(0)f?

Tell me if I am getting this...

g(f) = (1+f)³ = (1 + 3f + 3f² + f³)
g'(f) = (3 + 6f + 3f²)

g(f) = g(0) + g'(0)f /1! = 1 + 3f

That would be expanded to the first order f? 1 + 3f?

So whatever my fractional uncertainty is for distance, say f_d, the fractional uncertainty of the mass, f_m = 1 + 3f_d?

BTW thank you very much for your help.

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Your expansion is correct, however I meant to say g(f)=(1 \pm f)^3. As you can check for yourself, the expansion of that to first order in f about f=0 is 1 \pm 3f. So substitute this into the formula for M what do you get?

 

[nissanztt90]

The fractional uncertainty of the Mass = 1+/- 3f, where f is the fractional uncertainty of the distance? I am not sure which equation for mass your referring to since i didnt provide one initially, only the proportion, or were you talking about M(d) = a d³

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Use the equation M(d)=\kappa d^3= \kappa (d_0 \pm fd_0)^3 =\kappa d_0^3 (1 \pm f)^3.
Remember this comes from the fact that M is proportional to d^3 and that d=d_0 \pm fd_0.

All that the taylor series has shown is that (1\pm f)^3 \approx 1 \pm 3f

 

[nissanztt90]

M(d) = ad³(1+/-3f), M(d) = ad³ +/- 3fad³, now do i solve for f or something?

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Well, you have:

M(d)=\kappa d_0^3 \pm 3f\kappa d_0^3

Or, using M_0 \equiv M(d_o)=\kappa d_0^3

M(d)=M_0 \pm 3fM_0

Now, can you look at that equation and tell me what f_M is?

 

[nissanztt90]

I hope so...its getting late here and i was up early...so here it goes...

f_M= +/-3f_d

 

[gabbagabbahey]

Yep, you got it. :)

 

[nissanztt90]

Great, thank you very much for your help.