How to Find Coefficient of x^4 in Maclaurin Series for e^sinx?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the coefficient of \(x^4\) in the Maclaurin series expansion for the function \(f(x) = e^{\sin x}\). Participants are exploring the complexities of deriving this coefficient through various methods, including direct differentiation and series expansion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to compute the coefficient by taking derivatives, expressing frustration over the complexity of the resulting expressions. Other participants suggest using known series expansions for \(\sin x\) and \(e^y\) instead of derivatives, prompting questions about how to correctly apply these expansions and collect terms to find the desired coefficient.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using series expansions rather than derivatives, indicating a potential direction for the original poster. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the application of these expansions, particularly in how to evaluate terms and their contributions to the coefficient of \(x^4\).

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the challenge of simplifying derivatives and understanding how to effectively use series expansions. There is also mention of the need to consider terms up to the fourth order, which may lead to confusion about the contributions of higher-order terms.

jnimagine
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Homework Statement


find coefficient of x^4 in the MAclaurin series for f(x)=e^sinx


Homework Equations


ok... so taking derivatives 4 times for this function...gave me a mess! @.@
can someone help me in simplying the derivatives...?
1. cosxe^sinx
then for 2. is it -sinxe^sinx-sinxcosxe^sinx...?
= . = I'm getting lost with these derivatives...

same for e^3xcos2x... gets sooo complicated...
 
Last edited:
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Don't try to find it by determining the derivatives. You already know the expansions of the function sin x and e^y. Just plug them in, and expand up till 4th order (or better to just look what terms contribute to the x^4 coefficient).

E.g.:
[tex]e^{\sin x} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{(\sin x)^k}{k!}[/tex]

Then plug in the expansion for sin x and collect the terms.
 
xepma said:
Don't try to find it by determining the derivatives. You already know the expansions of the function sin x and e^y. Just plug them in, and expand up till 4th order (or better to just look what terms contribute to the x^4 coefficient).

E.g.:
[tex]e^{\sin x} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{(\sin x)^k}{k!}[/tex]

Then plug in the expansion for sin x and collect the terms.

hmm I'm still not too sure...
I do get the series u've written above... now for sinx i expand it like x - x^3/3! + x^5/5!... up to the fourth order... and plug in 0??... doesn't that just make everything equal to 0...?
 
I think what xepma is talking about is this[tex]e^{\sin x} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{(\sin x)^k}{k!}[/tex]
[tex]= 1 + sin(x)/1 + sin^2(x)/2 + sin^3(x)/3! + ...[/tex]

Now, put in your series for sin(x), sin2(x) and so on. You probably won't need the sin3(x) and might need only a term or two for the sin2(x) part.
 

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