Does a Taylor Series Exist for f(x)=tanh(x)/x and f(x)=ln(1+x)/x?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of Taylor series for the functions f(x) = tanh(x)/x and f(x) = ln(1+x)/x. Participants explore the conditions under which these series may exist and their properties, including convergence and differentiation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the existence of a Taylor series for both functions, noting that the third derivative at zero is zero.
  • Another participant argues that if a function is infinitely differentiable at a point, a Taylor series exists, but convergence away from that point is uncertain. They suggest that there likely is a Maclaurin series for both functions based on limits and series expansions.
  • The second participant provides a series expansion for ln(1+x)/x using binomial series and integration, stating an interval of convergence of (-1, 1].
  • They also present a brute force series expansion for tanh(x)/x, indicating that it has a more complex series representation.
  • A later reply references an external source for hyperbolic tangent but expresses confusion about specific notation and suggests a method involving the multinomial theorem for deriving series.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and representation of Taylor series for the functions in question. There is no consensus on the matter, and multiple approaches and interpretations are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the differentiability of the functions at specific points and the nature of convergence of the series are not fully resolved. The discussion includes references to external sources and mathematical techniques that may not be universally understood among participants.

juice34
Is it correct that a taylor series does not exist for f(x)=tanh(x)/x and f(x)=ln(1+x)/x. I differentiated to f'''(x) and fn(0) and all equal zero.
 
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Keep in mind that as long as a function is infinitely differentiable at a point x = a, there exists a Taylor series for the function about that point. Whether the series converges to the function away from that point is a different matter. Since [itex]\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{\tanh (x)}{x} = 1[/itex], I strongly suspect there is a Maclaurin series for tanh(x)/x. Similarly for ln(1+x)/x.

Using binomial series for 1/(1 + x), integration and division by x, I get

[tex]\frac{\ln (1+x)}{x}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n x^n}{n+1}[/tex]

with interval of convergence (-1, 1].

tanh(x) has no nice series and is not the integral or derivative of a series that is nice, so that one is sticky.

However, by brute force

[tex]\frac{\tanh (x)}{x}= 1 - \frac{x^2}{3} + \frac{2x^4}{15} - \frac{17x^6}{315} + O(x^8)[/tex]

--Elucidus
 
Last edited:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH Elucidus!:cool:
 
For hyperbolic tangent here is what math world gives:

Inline26.gif


http://mathworld.wolfram.com/HyperbolicTangent.html

I'm not sure what the [tex]B_{n+1}[/tex] means. I would try and solve it by taking the product of two terms. On for the numerator and and one for the inverse of the denominator. For the inverse of the denominator I'd plug in each of the taylors series terms for an exponential function into the taylor series for 1/x and use the multinomial theorem.
 

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