Is the Taylor polynomial for ln(1-x) the same as the one for ln(1+x)?

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The Taylor polynomial for ln(1+x) is given by the series x - (1/2)x² + (1/3)x³ - (1/4)x⁴ + (1/5)x⁵ - ... for -1 < x < 1. To derive the Taylor polynomial for ln(1-x), one must replace x with -x in the series for ln(1+x), resulting in -ln(1+x) = -x - (1/2)x² - (1/3)x³ - (1/4)x⁴ - (1/5)x⁵ - ... The radius of convergence for both series remains 1, valid for -1 < x < 1. The discussion also touches on the indeterminate form 0^0, clarifying that it is not equal to one.

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Homework Statement



ln(1+x)=x-\frac{1}{2}x^2+ \frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{4}x^4+\frac{1}{5}x^5-... -1&lt;\ x\ &lt;1

Is there a Taylor polynomial for ln(1-x) for -1< x <1, if so how would I go about working it out from the above?

This is not really a homework question just a thought I had, as they do it for other changes of sign. I just seem to be having a hard time figuring out how it would work for some reason? Any help appreciated. Are they all minuses for ln(1-x)? Or something else?

I'm sure I could just look it up on the web, but I'd like to see how it's done from (1+x)

I tried multiplying each x term by a - and got: -x+\frac{1}{2}x^2 -\frac{1}{3}x^3+\frac{1}{4}x^4-\frac{1}{5}x^5+...

Is that right?

Be gentle with me I've only just started on this :smile:
 
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You are NOT "multiplying each x by -1", you are multiplying the entire series by -1 so you really have -ln(1+x). If you multiply x by -1- that is, replace x by -x, the even powers of x do not change sign- you would have instead
ln(1+x)=-x-\frac{1}{2}x^2- \frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{4}x^4-\frac{1}{5}x^5-...

Also, ln(x) is not defined for x\le 0 so the Taylor's series you give for ln(1+x) converges only for (-1, 1). (Since it is a power series it converges in some radius of convergence. The center is at x= 0, since it cannot converge for x= -1 (where ln(1+x)= ln(1-1)= 0) that radius is 1 and so it cannot converge for x> 1.) Since 1- x= 0 when x= 1 and ln(1-x) not defined for x\ge 1, The radius of convergence is still 1: the series converges for -1< x< 1 still.
 
Ah I see, I figured it might go something like that. But I also figured the limits were different because logs of negative numbers are not calculable, well not by calculator anyway.

Much appreciated. :smile:

The reason I thought they might be all minus is because the values of x between 0 and 1 in 1-x are all negative.
 
Last edited:
can you help me with a problem my dad set me?
he asked what to the power of 0 does not equal one? I am guessing its to do with expansions of logs. help would be greatly appreciated. thankyou
 
Just think of normal numbers. There is one number that when raised to the power 0 yields an indeterminate expression, any idea which one?
 
by normal do you mean real? and if you mean 0 then i thought that 0^0 still equals one
 

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