Help with Taylor Series/Maclaurin Series Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter student93
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Series Taylor
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving Taylor and Maclaurin series, specifically focusing on the evaluation of the 10th derivative of a function at zero. Participants are exploring the implications of using Maclaurin series for functions like e^x and e^(-x^2), and the challenges associated with calculating multiple derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of Maclaurin series to find the 10th derivative, questioning the practicality of calculating ten derivatives directly. Some express confusion about the evaluation of derivatives at zero and the significance of specific terms in the series.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different methods to approach the problem, with some participants suggesting that calculating derivatives is manageable through the Maclaurin series. Others are clarifying the nature of the derivatives and their evaluations, indicating a productive exchange of ideas without a clear consensus yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the problem and the potential for misunderstanding regarding the derivatives and their evaluations. There is mention of specific terms in the series and their contributions to the overall evaluation, highlighting the nuances in the discussion.

student93
Messages
83
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Problem is attached in this post.

Homework Equations



Problem is attached in this post.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried using Maclaurin Series for e^x, and get the term -x^10/5!, however f(0) = 0 which is not the correct answer. Also taking 10 derivatives seems too burdensome of a task etc. Is there any other method to solve this problem?

The answer is D. -10!/5!
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2014-04-28 at 8.17.30 PM.png
    Screen shot 2014-04-28 at 8.17.30 PM.png
    3.8 KB · Views: 559
Physics news on Phys.org
student93 said:

Homework Statement



Problem is attached in this post.

Homework Equations



Problem is attached in this post.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried using Maclaurin Series for e^x, and get the term -x^10/5!, however f(0) = 0 which is not the correct answer. Also taking 10 derivatives seems too burdensome of a task etc. Is there any other method to solve this problem?

The answer is D. -10!/5!
attachment.php?attachmentid=69190&d=1398730870.png


[itex]\displaystyle f^{(10)}(x) = \frac{d^{10}}{dx^{10}}f(x)\ .[/itex]



It's not [itex]\displaystyle \left(f(x)\right)^{10}[/itex]
 
SammyS said:
attachment.php?attachmentid=69190&d=1398730870.png


[itex]\displaystyle f^{(10)}(x) = \frac{d^{10}}{dx^{10}}f(x)\ .[/itex]
It's not [itex]\displaystyle \left(f(x)\right)^{10}[/itex]

I don't understand what you mean?
 
student93 said:
I don't understand what you mean?

It's the tenth derivative ... evaluated at x = 0 .
 
SammyS said:
It's the tenth derivative ... evaluated at x = 0 .

I know that, but solving for 10 derivatives seems like an impractical way to solve this problem. Is there any other method to solve this problem?
 
student93 said:
I know that, but solving for 10 derivatives seems like an impractical way to solve this problem. Is there any other method to solve this problem?
Solving for 10 derivatives is not really that difficult -- using the MacLaurin Series.

What is the 10th derivative of x6, for example?
 
SammyS said:
Solving for 10 derivatives is not really that difficult -- using the MacLaurin Series.

What is the 10th derivative of x6, for example?

10th derivative of x^6 =0, I've tried Maclaurin, and got my 10th powered term as -x^10/5!, but f(0)=0 and the answer is -10!/5!
 
student93 said:
10th derivative of x^6 =0, I've tried Maclaurin, and got my 10th powered term as -x^10/5!, but f(0)=0 and the answer is -10!/5!
What is the 10th derivative of x10 ?
 
sammys said:
what is the 10th derivative of x10 ?

3,628,800
 
  • #10
student93 said:
3,628,800
Yes, that's 10! . Right.

Even if x = 0.
 
  • #11
So do I take the derivative of -x^10/5!?
 
  • #12
student93 said:
So do I take the derivative of -x^10/5!?

What is the MacLaurin series for ##e^{-x^2} \ ? ##


The 10th derivative of of the first 5 terms, those with power, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, are all zero, right?

...
 
  • #13
SammyS said:
What is the MacLaurin series for ##e^{-x^2} \ ? ##The 10th derivative of of the first 5 terms, those with power, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, are all zero, right?

...

Yes:

1 - x^2 +x^4/2! - x^6/3! +x^8/4! - x^10/5! ... etc.
 
  • #14
student93 said:
Yes:

1 - x^2 +x^4/2! - x^6/3! +x^8/4! - x^10/5! ... etc.

##1 - x^2 +x^4/2! - x^6/3! +x^8/4! - x^{10}/5!+x^{12}/6! \dots ##

The 10th derivative of that ... evaluated at x = 0 ?
 
  • #15
SammyS said:
##1 - x^2 +x^4/2! - x^6/3! +x^8/4! - x^{10}/5!+x^{12}/6! \dots ##

The 10th derivative of that ... evaluated at x = 0 ?

I understand it now, thanks for the help. (Since the f^(10)(0)/10! = -1/5! etc.)
 
  • #16
student93 said:
I understand it now, thanks for the help. (Since the f^(10)(0)/10! = -1/5! etc.)
Good.

That notation is a bit strange.


If ##f(x) = 1 - x^2 +x^4/2! - x^6/3! +x^8/4! - x^{10}/5!+x^{12}/6!\ \dots##

then the 10th derivative is:

##f^{(10)}(x) = - 10!/5!+(12!/2)x^{2}/6!\ \dots##

Then ##f^{(10)}(0) = - 10!/5!+(12!/2)0^{2}/6!\ \dots =- 10!/5!##
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
7K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K