How Do You Find the Maclaurin Polynomials for cos(πx)?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the Maclaurin polynomials for the function cos(πx) up to order n = 4. The user derived the polynomials p0x = 1, p1x = 1, and identified a pattern where odd-indexed polynomials are zero. The sigma notation for the nth Maclaurin polynomial was presented as Ʃ(n=0 to n)(-1)^k(π^(2k)x^(2k))/(k!). A discrepancy was noted regarding the presence of n/2 in the solution manual, which the user found confusing.

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  • Understanding of Maclaurin series and polynomial expansion
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, specifically cosine
  • Knowledge of sigma notation and factorials
  • Basic calculus concepts, including derivatives
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Mosaness
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1. Find the Maclaurin polynomials of order n = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then find the nth MacLaurin polynomials for the function in sigma notation.

cos(∏x)





2. Here is what I did:
p0x = cos (0∏) = 1
p1x = cos(0∏) - ∏sin(0∏)x = 1
p2x = cos(0∏) - ∏sin(0∏)x -[itex]\frac{∏<sup>2</sup>(cos∏x)(x<sup>2</sup>)}{2!}[/itex](

and so on...

And the pattern that forms are that the odd values for k are 0.

So p0x = p1x
and p2x = p3x

etc etc.

fk(x) = (∏)kcos(∏x)'
and fk(0) = (∏)k(-1)k

As for the sigma notation:

Here is what I obtained:
Ʃnk = 0([itex]\frac{(∏<sup>2k</sup>(-1)<sup>k</sup>}{k!}[/itex](x)2k

According to the solution manual however, there is a n/2 on top of the sigma notation instead of a n.

I don't understand .
 
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Mosaness said:
1. Find the Maclaurin polynomials of order n = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then find the nth MacLaurin polynomials for the function in sigma notation.

cos(∏x)





2. Here is what I did:
p0x = cos (0∏) = 1
p1x = cos(0∏) - ∏sin(0∏)x = 1
p2x = cos(0∏) - ∏sin(0∏)x -[itex]\frac{∏<sup>2</sup>(cos∏x)(x<sup>2</sup>)}{2!}[/itex](

and so on...

And the pattern that forms are that the odd values for k are 0.

So p0x = p1x
and p2x = p3x

etc etc.

fk(x) = (∏)kcos(∏x)'
and fk(0) = (∏)k(-1)k

No. That isn't right if k is odd.

As for the sigma notation:

Here is what I obtained:
##\sum_{k=0}^n\frac{(-1)^k\pi^{2k}x^{2k}}{k!}##
[Fixed your latex. Don't mix other symbols with tex]
According to the solution manual however, there is a n/2 on top of the sigma notation instead of a n.

I don't understand .

I think the only thing wrong with your final answer is you should have a ##(2k)!## in the denominator. Then note that your general sum gives only the even powers, which are the only non-zero terms. Your book's answer probably has something to do with indexing it differently. Hard to say without seeing it.
 

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