MHB Expanding Taylor Series to Get Approximate Answer

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on using Taylor Series to approximate the expression $1+v_{t+1} = (1+v_t)\exp\left(-rv_{t-1}\right)$. The approximation simplifies to $1+v_{t+1} \approx (1+v_t)(1-rv_{t-1})$, utilizing the first two terms of the series expansion for the exponential function. Participants discuss whether to expand the function in the form $(K+v_t)g$ or to directly expand the Taylor Series of the entire expression. The importance of linearizing models using Taylor Series for approximations in mathematical expressions is emphasized. The conversation highlights the method of simplifying complex expressions for easier analysis.
Dustinsfl
Messages
2,217
Reaction score
5
$1+v_{t+1} = (1+v_t)\exp\left(-rv_{t-1}\right)\approx (1+v_t)(1-rv_{t-1})$

The book is linearizing the model where we generally use a Taylor Series.

How was the expression expanded in the Taylor Series to get the approximate answer?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
dwsmith said:
$1+v_{t+1} = (1+v_t)\exp\left(-rv_{t-1}\right)\approx (1+v_t)(1-rv_{t-1})$

The book is linearizing the model where we generally use a Taylor Series.

How was the expression expanded in the Taylor Series to get the approximate answer?

Thanks.

The second set of brackets contains the first two terms of the series expansion of

\[ \exp(-rv_{t-1}) =\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-rv_{t-1})^k}{k!}= 1-rv_{t-1}+{\text{O}}((rv_{t-1})^2)\]

CB
 
If $x$ is small, than $e^{x} \approx 1 + x$.

Edit - too slow :-)
 
CaptainBlack said:
The second set of brackets contains the first two terms of the series expansion of

\[ \exp(-rv_{t-1}) =\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-rv_{t-1})^k}{k!}= 1-rv_{t-1}+{\text{O}}((rv_{t-1})^2)\]

CB

Now if i was dealing $K+v_{t+1}=(K+v_t)\left[1 + r \left(1- \frac{K+v_t}{K}\right)\right]$, would I want to put it in the form $(K+v_t)g$ and then expand g in the Taylor series to the linear terms?
 
dwsmith said:
Now if i was dealing $K+v_{t+1}=(K+v_t)\left[1 + r \left(1- \frac{K+v_t}{K}\right)\right]$, would I want to put it in the form $(K+v_t)g$ and then expand g in the Taylor series to the linear terms?

Or do we expand the Taylor Series of

$$
\left[1 + r \left(1- \frac{K+v_t}{K}\right)\right]
$$

with the \(K+v_t\) inside?
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K