Power Series Expansion of f(x) = \frac{10}{1+100*x^2}

AI Thread Summary
The function f(x) = 10/(1+100x^2) can be expressed as a power series, leading to the expansion f(x) = 10∑(-100x^2)^n. The first coefficient, C_0, is correctly identified as 10, while C_1 is mistakenly calculated as -1000. The discussion reveals confusion regarding the coefficients for even powers, particularly C_4, which is noted to be one power of ten too small. It is emphasized that the series expansion is valid only for |x| < 1/10. The conversation highlights the importance of careful calculation and understanding of the series terms.
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the function f(x) = \frac{10}{1+100*x^2}
is represented as a power series
f(x) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} C_nX^n

Find the first few coefficients in the power series:
C_0 = ____
C_1 = ____
C_2 = ____
C_3 = ____
C_4 = ____


well f(x) = \frac{10}{1+100*x^2} can be written as 10\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-100x^2)^n

for C_0, i got 10 because if you plug in n = 0, you get 10 (which is correct).
for c_1, when i plug in n=1, i get -1000, which is incorrect.
i tried doing the same for c_2-c_4, but it keeps telling me i get the wrong answer. does anyone know why?
 
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Im pretty sure you modeled the function incorrectly.
 
Write out a few terms of your expansion. What are the coefficients of the even powers of x in your expansion?
 
and more importantly, what are the coefficients of the odd powers of x?
 
i don't think i modeled it incorrectly, because there's a similar problem in the book, but maybe i made a mistake so who knows, but here are the first few terms...

10 - 1000x^2 + 10000x^4 -10000000x^6 + 1000000000x^8...

coefficients of the odd powers are zero...

but i can't seem to get the even coefficients correctly... what am i doing wrong?
 
Looks fine to me except that your coefficient for x^4 is one power of ten too small. Remember that this expansion is only valid for |x|&lt;1/10 too.
 
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