Finding Maclaurin expansion and interval of convergence

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SUMMARY

The Maclaurin series for the function \( f(x) = \log(\cos x) \) is derived as \( -\frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^4}{12} - \frac{x^6}{720} + O(x^8) \). An alternative series provided by Mathematica is \( -\frac{x^2}{2} - \frac{x^4}{12} - \frac{x^6}{45} - \frac{17 x^8}{2520} - \frac{31 x^{10}}{14175} + O(x^{11}) \). To determine the interval of convergence, it is suggested to analyze the series for \( f'(x) = -\tan x \) and integrate term by term. This approach simplifies the process of finding convergence.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maclaurin series
  • Familiarity with Taylor series expansions
  • Knowledge of the function \( \log(x) \) and its properties
  • Basic calculus, specifically differentiation and integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about the convergence criteria for power series
  • Study the Taylor series expansion of \( \tan x \)
  • Explore integration techniques for power series
  • Investigate the properties of logarithmic functions in series form
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Students studying calculus, mathematicians working with series expansions, and anyone interested in advanced mathematical analysis of functions.

Mr Davis 97
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Homework Statement


Find the Maclaurin series and inverval of convergence for ##f(x) = \log (\cos x)##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I used the fact that ##\log (\cos x) = \log (1+ (\cos x - 1))##, and the standard expansions for ##\cos x## and ##\log (x+1)## to get that ##\displaystyle \log (\cos x) = -\frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^4}{12} - \frac{x^6}{720} + O (x^8)##. How do I find the interval of convergence for this? Also, how do I know that this is the valid expansion?
 
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Mr Davis 97 said:
How do I find the interval of convergence for this
Try working from the outside in: what is the interval for log( 1+y)?
 
Mr Davis 97 said:

Homework Statement


Find the Maclaurin series and inverval of convergence for ##f(x) = \log (\cos x)##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I used the fact that ##\log (\cos x) = \log (1+ (\cos x - 1))##, and the standard expansions for ##\cos x## and ##\log (x+1)## to get that ##\displaystyle \log (\cos x) = -\frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^4}{12} - \frac{x^6}{720} + O (x^8)##. How do I find the interval of convergence for this? Also, how do I know that this is the valid expansion?
According to Mathematica, the series is
$$-\frac{x^2}{2}-\frac{x^4}{12}-\frac{x^6}{45}-\frac{17 x^8}{2520}-\frac{31 x^{10}}{14175}+O\left(x^{11}\right)$$
It might be easier to find the series for ##f'(x) = -\tan x## and then integrate term by term.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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