Finding the MacLaurin Series of a function

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To find the Maclaurin series for the function f(x) = cos(x) + x, the initial derivatives evaluated at x=0 yield f(0)=1, f'(0)=0, and f''(0)=-1, leading to a repeating pattern of coefficients. The proposed series P(x) = Σ(x^(2n)(-1)^n)/n! is incorrect because it does not account for the linear term from x. The correct approach involves expressing cos(x) using its Maclaurin series and then adding the x term separately. The discussion also touches on the challenges of starting the series for g(x) = cos(x^2) + x^2 and h(x) = x*sin(2x). Overall, the focus is on clarifying the correct formulation of the Maclaurin series for these functions.
Badmouton
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I have to find the Maclaurin series of:
(1) f(x)=cos(x)+x,
(2) g(x)= cos(x^2)+x^2
(3) h(x)=x*sin(2x).


I'm stuck at the first one, I kind of understand the concept of how P(0)=f(0)+f'(0)x+(f''(0)x^2)/2+. . .
What it gave me when I started calculating the value of the fn was this:
f(0)=cos(0)+0=1
f'(0)=-sin(0)=0
f''(0)=-cos(0)=0

And the pattern kept repeating as follows: 1,0,-1,0,1,0,-1,0.

So when I want to write the mclaurin series, should it come out as?
P(x)=Ʃ(x2n(-1)n)/n!

As for the other problems, I really don't know how to start
 
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Badmouton said:
I have to find the Maclaurin series of:
(1) f(x)=cos(x)+x,
(2) g(x)= cos(x^2)+x^2
(3) h(x)=x*sin(2x).


I'm stuck at the first one, I kind of understand the concept of how P(0)=f(0)+f'(0)x+(f''(0)x^2)/2+. . .
What it gave me when I started calculating the value of the fn was this:
f(0)=cos(0)+0=1
f'(0)=-sin(0)=0
f''(0)=-cos(0)=-1

And the pattern kept repeating as follows: 1,0,-1,0,1,0,-1,0.

So when I want to write the mclaurin series, should it come out as?
P(x)=Ʃ(x2n(-1)n)/n!

As for the other problems, I really don't know how to start

You mean -cos(0) = -1.

Yes, you should get somewhat that pattern. Actually, you are close with the answers you have. It's not x^(2n)(-1)ⁿ/n! since x^(2n) doesn't occur in (cos(x) + x) altogether! You can only express cos(x) as the Maclaurin series.

See: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=cos(x)

You should get the answer.
 
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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