Deriving an Alternate Taylor's Theorem for Functions with a Defined Derivative

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Homework Statement



Suppose f is a real function on [a, b], n is a positive integer, and [tex]\f^{(n-1)}[/tex]
exists for every t in [a, b]. Let [tex]\alpha,\beta[/tex], and P be as in Taylor’s theorem
(5.15). Define

[tex]\ Q(t) = \frac{f(t)-f(\beta)}{t-\beta}[/tex]

for [tex]\ t \in [a, b], t \neq \beta[/tex],

differentiate

[tex]\ f(t)-f(\beta)=(t-\beta)Q(t)[/tex]

n − 1 times at [tex]\ t = \alpha[/tex], and derive an alternate Taylor’s theorem:

[tex]\ f(\beta)=P(\beta)+\frac{Q^{(n-1)}(\alpha)}{(n-1)!}(\beta-\alpha)^{n}[/tex] (I had to put this here to make the above expression stay on one line)

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



So first I did the differentiation n-1 times, you notice a pattern and since f(beta) is constant, you get

[tex]\ f^{(n}}(t)= nQ^{(n-1)}+(t-\beta)^nQ^{(n)}(t)[/tex]

Then from Taylor's theorem we know that

[tex]\ f(\beta) = P(\beta) + \frac{f^{(n)}(x)}{n!}(\beta - \alpha)^{n}[/tex]

Just plugging in that expression into Taylor's theorem is real damn close to the result I need. How do I get rid of the extra Q^{(n)} in the numerator? (or is my differentiation wrong and I'm not catching it?)

Thanks a mil guys.
 
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The second equation is Rudin 24... I don't see how it could be wrong -_-.

The first is just differentiating the given expression. We'd use the product rule (n-1) (I think there I used it n times), and that would be the result yes?