Does Taylor Series accurately represent limits in calculus?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the accuracy of Taylor Series in representing limits in calculus, specifically as x approaches 0. The participant attempted to expand the sine function to the third degree and other functions to the second degree. They encountered a discrepancy with WolframAlpha, which provided a limit of -6/25, highlighting an error in their expansion of e^3x. The correct expansion should yield 4 1/2 instead of 1/2 due to the proper application of the Taylor series formula.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Taylor Series expansion
  • Familiarity with calculus limits
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their derivatives
  • Experience with computational tools like WolframAlpha
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Taylor Series expansion for trigonometric functions
  • Learn how to apply Taylor Series to exponential functions
  • Explore the concept of limits in calculus more deeply
  • Practice using WolframAlpha for verifying calculus problems
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Students studying calculus, educators teaching Taylor Series, and anyone interested in understanding the application of series expansions in mathematical analysis.

ironman
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Homework Statement


[/B]
lim x -> 0
CodeCogsEqn.gif


2. Homework Equations

Taylor series for sin cos e and ln ()

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried expanding the sine to 3-degree, and everything else 2-degree. I ended up with this:

CodeCogsEqn-2.gif

Now the problem is that WolframAlpha says it should be -6/25. Now if only that -2 were +2...
 
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I got the answer! the first 1/2 (expansion from e^3x) is supposed to be 4 1/2 not 1/2, because you get (3x)^2 / 2! not (x)^2/2!
 

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