Can You Solve This Challenging Physics Problem?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a challenging physics problem involving derivatives of a polynomial function. Participants are seeking assistance in deriving a formula related to the nth derivative and exploring recursive relationships in the context of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding a solution and shares initial attempts at calculating derivatives, noting specific values for n.
  • Another participant suggests showing work and finding the nth derivative as a starting point for assistance.
  • A participant claims to have found a formula but notes inconsistencies for certain values of n, questioning the validity of the formula.
  • Several participants discuss the concept of recursion and its application to the problem, with one providing a recursive relationship for the derivatives.
  • There is a debate on whether derivatives need to be computed or if a direct substitution method can be used to find the answers.
  • Some participants express a desire for a straightforward formula that allows for direct substitution without complex calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the problem. There are competing views on the necessity of computing derivatives versus using recursion, and the validity of the proposed formulas remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific values and relationships that may depend on the definitions used in the problem, and there are indications of missing assumptions regarding the behavior of the derivatives for different values of n.

therector24
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Welcome to PF therector24.
Policy here is that we don't just give away the answer, but rather a hint on how to obtain it. Therefore, please show us some work, what you got so far. Then we will be able to point you in the right direction.

If you didn't do anything yet: start by finding the n'th derivative of the polynomial in that function.
 
thank u for your interesting
well, i tried to substitute with finding the derivative
till n= 6 and all of the answers were 0
except when n=0,2
the answer was 1 & .5
so here iam stuk in finding the formula
if all of the answers were zeros it was going to be nothing
i just want an idea and i will solve it
and if i knew the answer i will post it as fast as i can
thank u.
 
Last edited:
hey, i found the formula but the problem that it is not right when we say n=0,1,2 but after that its correct so can i make an exception on that waiting for reply!
 
I am also stuck in this formula ,I tried to derive seven times by only substituting the n until n=7,I did that because i wanted to find something that i can build my formula but i could not.
anyone can help?
 
Recursion is your friend

I found the solution this morning. There is a recursive relationship.

[tex]f(x) = (x^2-1)^n[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^n}{dx^n}(f(0))= (\frac{d^(^n^-^2^)}{dx^(^n^-^2^)}f(0))(M_n)[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^0}{dx^0}(f(0))= 1[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^1}{dx^1}(f(0))= 0[/tex]

[tex]M_2 = -4[/tex]

[tex]M_n = M_n_-_2 - 32(\frac{n}{2} - 1)[/tex]

[tex]M_o_d_d[/tex]

is not necessary, because odd n values of the derivative are zero.

You still have to multiply by the other term. [tex]\frac{1}{(2^n)(n!)}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
so about the formula
there is a problem that u have to derive in order to have m
the porpuse of the formula is that u can get the answer just by substituting but here i have to find m after finding the derivative.
u mean m is the last number after deriving
but how to find m without finding the derivative??
 
Last edited:
?

You don't have to find the derivative. This function recurses back to the 0th derivative, which means that you don't find the derivative. You just plug in 0 for x. Here's an example of the iteration.

[tex]n = 0[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^0}{dx^0}[f(0)] = 1[/tex][tex]n = 2[/tex]

[tex]M_2 = -4[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^2}{dx^2}[f(0)] = 1(-4) = -4[/tex][tex]n = 4[/tex]

[tex]M_4 = -4 - 32(4/2 - 1) = -4 - 32 = -36[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^4}{dx^4}[f(0)] = -4(-36) = 144[/tex]

etc...

You don't have to compute any derivatives; to derive this I had to compute many derivatives (Maple helps here). Then I found the recursive relationship (aka pattern) that works when x = 0.
 
Last edited:
here we don't want to use maple we want a formula, that means when u substitute you get the finall asnwer directly (by hand)
 
  • #10
Recursion

You don't use maple. You use the recursive formula.

Here's an easier example of recursion.

[tex]H(x) = x[H(x-1)][/tex]
[tex]H(0) = 1[/tex]

There is another representation of this formula. Can you figure out what it is?

If this is too difficult for you, ask someone what recursion is. I'm sure some one on one help will help you understand this.
 
  • #11
thank u so much u helped me a lot
 
Last edited:
  • #12
thank u sennyk u were a great help
 

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