Lagrange error bound to estimate sin4° to five decimal places( maclaurin series)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating sin(4°) using the Maclaurin series and applying the Lagrange error bound to achieve an accuracy of five decimal places. Participants are exploring the implications of the remainder theorem and the appropriate order of the polynomial needed for the estimation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the Lagrange error bound to determine the necessary degree of the Maclaurin series for sin(4°). There are questions regarding the validity of the answer key's suggestion that n should be greater than or equal to 3, with some participants expressing confusion about the derivatives of sine in the context of the series.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants questioning the assumptions made in the problem, particularly regarding the error bound and the terms included in the Maclaurin series. Some guidance has been offered regarding the error bound inequality, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the accuracy requirement of five decimal places and how it relates to the choice of terms in the Maclaurin series. There is also mention of potential discrepancies in the interpretation of the remainder theorem and its application to the problem.

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Homework Statement



Estimate sin4 accurate to five decimal places (using maclaurin series of sin)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Lagrange error bound to estimate sin4° to five decimal places( maclaurin series)

4°=pi/45 radians

|Rn(pi/45)<1*(pi/45)^n+1/(n+1)! < 5*10^-6

and the answer key says n should be greater than or equal to 3.



It doesn't make sense .



Because, if you write out derivatives, the ones with sines will disappear in the polynomial. So, don't we have to ignore sin (since it is maclaurin series)

So if it is 7rd order polynomial it should be x-(1/3!)x^3 + (x^5)/5!) -(x^7)/7!.

and therefore we need to look at 9th derivative.



It seems the answer key just applied the remainder theorem.
 
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Plus why do they say that the remainder should be less than or equal to .000005
I think it is due to the fact that the questions says it should be accurate to five decimal places.
but what about .000009 or something?
they are still less than .00001
 
i think in this case our error bound inequality should be
1*(pi/45)^(2n+3)/(2n+3)! greater than or equal to .000005
and i get n=1 which means i only need the first two terms in the maclurin series to have a value accurate to the fifth decimal place.
 

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