How to Subtract MacLaurin Series in Calculus Problems?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the MacLaurin series for the function f(x) = ((e^x) - cos(x)) / x. Participants are exploring the series expansions of e^x and cos(x) and how to properly subtract these series to solve the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to expand the series for e^x and cos(x) and are questioning the validity of their series representations. There is confusion regarding the subtraction of the series and the treatment of terms, particularly when dealing with odd and even powers.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing guidance on how to combine the series and check for errors in the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct series forms and the implications of combining them, but no consensus has been reached on the correctness of the attempts presented.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of misunderstandings regarding the series expansions, with some participants noting that previous discussions may have led to confusion about the behavior of the series for specific values of n.

stau40
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Homework Statement


Find the MacLaurin series of f(x) = ((e^x) - cos (x)) / x


Homework Equations


e^x = (x^n)/n!
cos x = ((-1)^(n) (x^(2n))) / (2n)!

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm just working on the numerator now, but I can't figure out how to subtract the MacLaurin series listed above to begin the problem. I did find a previous thread in this forum for the same problem, but it talked about if n was odd the cox x series would equal 0 and this doesn't make any sense to me. Can anybody help getting me started?
 
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stau40 said:

Homework Statement


Find the MacLaurin series of f(x) = ((e^x) - cos (x)) / x


Homework Equations


e^x = (x^n)/n!
cos x = ((-1)^(n) (x^(2n))) / (2n)!
As written, your "relevant" equations aren't relevant or even true. Assuming you aren't familar with using LaTeX, here are the correct versions. You can click them to see my LaTeX script.

[tex]e^x = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty} \frac{x^n}{n!}[/tex]
[tex]cos(x) = \sum_{n = 0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^n x^{2n}}{(2n)!}[/tex]
stau40 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm just working on the numerator now, but I can't figure out how to subtract the MacLaurin series listed above to begin the problem. I did find a previous thread in this forum for the same problem, but it talked about if n was odd the cox x series would equal 0 and this doesn't make any sense to me.
Doesn't make any sense to me either.
stau40 said:
Can anybody help getting me started?
Write your series for e^x and cos(x) in expanded form, combine like terms, then divide term-by-term by x.
 
After your reply I get:

(1+x+((x^2)/2!)+((x^3)/3!)) - (1-((x^2)/2!)+((x^4)/4!)-((x^6)/6!))

= (x+((2x^2)/2!)+((x^3)/3!)-((x^4)/4!)+((x^6)/6!)) / x

=1+((2x^3)/2!)+((x^4)/3!)-((x^5)/4!)+((x^7)/6!)

Does this seem correct?
 
stau40 said:
After your reply I get:

(1+x+((x^2)/2!)+((x^3)/3!)) - (1-((x^2)/2!)+((x^4)/4!)-((x^6)/6!))

= (x+((2x^2)/2!)+((x^3)/3!)-((x^4)/4!)+((x^6)/6!)) / x

=1+((2x^3)/2!)+((x^4)/3!)-((x^5)/4!)+((x^7)/6!)

Does this seem correct?
No, for several reasons.
1. You seem to be very cavalier in your treatment of series. Earlier you wrote that e^x = x^n/n!. Not true. Now you have replaced e^x by 1 + x + x^2/2! + x^3/3!. That's not true either. You need a few more terms, and you need to indicate in some way that both series are infinite series.
2. The first line is not equal to the second line, so they should not be connected by =. I'll leave it to you to figure out why they're not equal.
3. Some of the terms are incorrect in your second line.
4. There are numerous errors in the third line that are unconnected with those in the second line.
 

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