Help with Maclaurin series representation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the Maclaurin series representation of the function $$ \frac{1+x^3}{1+x^2} $$. The user initially considers differentiating the function multiple times to obtain the series coefficients but seeks a more efficient method. The solution involves recognizing that $$ \frac{1}{1 - (-x^2)} $$ represents a geometric series, allowing for a simpler approach to derive the series representation without extensive differentiation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maclaurin series and Taylor series expansions
  • Familiarity with geometric series and their convergence
  • Basic calculus concepts, including differentiation
  • Experience with mathematical software like Wolfram Mathematica
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Maclaurin series for rational functions
  • Learn about geometric series and their applications in calculus
  • Explore advanced techniques for series expansion, such as the binomial series
  • Practice using Wolfram Mathematica for symbolic differentiation and series expansion
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Students studying calculus, particularly those learning about series expansions, as well as educators looking for effective methods to teach the Maclaurin series concept.

fernlund
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Hello! So, I'm having a bit of a problem with an exercise in my Calculus book. I'm supposed to find the Maclaurin series representation of

$$ \frac{1+x^3}{1+x^2} $$

and then express it as a sum. Am I really supposed to differentiate this expression a bunch of times..? That will be very complicated quickly.

I've tried to solve this using Wolfram Mathematica as a help, to find $$ f'(0) $$, $$ f''(0) $$ etc, but of course I want to do it by myself.

Is there any kind of trick that I'm missing? A substitution or another way of writing this?
 
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fernlund said:
Hello! So, I'm having a bit of a problem with an exercise in my Calculus book. I'm supposed to find the Maclaurin series representation of

$$ \frac{1+x^3}{1+x^2} $$

and then express it as a sum. Am I really supposed to differentiate this expression a bunch of times..? That will be very complicated quickly.

I've tried to solve this using Wolfram Mathematica as a help, to find $$ f'(0) $$, $$ f''(0) $$ etc, but of course I want to do it by myself.

Is there any kind of trick that I'm missing? A substitution or another way of writing this?

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1 +x^3}{1 + x^2} = \left( 1 + x^3 \right) \, \frac{1}{1 - \left( -x^2 \right) } \end{align*}$

Now notice that $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{1 - \left( -x^2 \right) } \end{align*}$ is the closed form of a geometric series with $\displaystyle \begin{align*} r = -x^2 \end{align*}$.
 
Prove It said:
$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1 +x^3}{1 + x^2} = \left( 1 + x^3 \right) \, \frac{1}{1 - \left( -x^2 \right) } \end{align*}$

Now notice that $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{1 - \left( -x^2 \right) } \end{align*}$ is the closed form of a geometric series with $\displaystyle \begin{align*} r = -x^2 \end{align*}$.

Ah, thank you very much! I've got it from here :)
 

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