Finding Taylor Series for f(x) = $\frac{x^2+1}{4x+5}$

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Taylor series for the function f(x) = (x^2 + 1) / (4x + 5). Participants are exploring different methods to derive the series representation of the function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to manipulate the function into a form suitable for Taylor series expansion and questions whether differentiation is necessary. Other participants suggest partitioning the function into simpler components and using known series expansions, while also discussing the potential for geometric series representation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with various approaches to derive the Taylor series. Some have provided insights into breaking down the function and utilizing geometric series, while others are questioning the applicability of these methods for different ranges of x.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of constraints regarding the range of x for which the series may converge, as well as considerations about the function's behavior outside certain intervals.

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Homework Statement



find the taylor series for the function

f(x) = [tex]\frac{x^2+1}{4x+5}[/tex]

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution



how to do this?

1st attempt.

i did turn it this term
[tex]\frac{x}{4}[/tex] + [tex]\frac{-5x+4}{16x+20}[/tex] can i turn this to taylor series?

maybe i know how to make [tex]\frac{-5x+4}{16x+20}[/tex] to taylor but
[tex]\frac{x}{4}[/tex] + [tex]\frac{-5x+4}{16x+20}[/tex]??2nd attempt.

should i differentiate it until i get fn(x) form??

what to do what to do?
 
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If you can partition your function into two functions like f(x) = f1(x) + f2(x) and you have the Taylor series for both f1 and f2 then the sum of these is the Taylor series for f.

You can also differentiate f directly and look for a pattern that will allow you to write the series as

[tex]f(x) = f(x_0) + f'(x_0)(x-x_0) + \sum_{i=2}^{\infty}{g_i(x_0) (x-x_0)^i}[/tex]

where gi is a fairly simple function having parameter i.
 
Certainly, the basic definition of "Taylor series" is just what Filip Larsen says, but you can also do what you were trying- you just stopped too soon. Since
[tex]\frac{-5x+ 4}{16x+ 20}[/tex]
has the same order in numerator and denominator you could also divide that. In fact,
[tex]\frac{x^2+ 1}{4x+ 5}= \frac{x}{4}- \frac{5}{16}+ \frac{11}{16}\frac{1}{4x+ 5}[/tex]

Now, what you can do is write that last fraction as
[tex]\frac{1}{5- (-4x)}= \frac{1}{5}\left(\frac{1}{1- \frac{-4x}{5}}\right)}[/tex]

Recall that the sum of a geometric series is given by
[tex]\sum_{n=0}^\infty r^n= \frac{1}{1- r}[/tex]
so that can be written as a power series in
[tex]\frac{-4x}{5}[/tex]
 
Neat. I guess that would "correspond" to Taylor series evolved around x0 = 0 and with -1 < x < 1. Is is possible to make something equally neat for x outside this range, or are you then "stuck" with the general Taylor series?
 

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