Power series expansions - which is imossible

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of power series expansions for various mathematical functions, specifically focusing on the conditions under which these expansions can be defined. The subject area includes calculus and series expansions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of evaluating functions at specific points and question the definitions and conditions necessary for power series expansions. There is a focus on whether certain functions yield imaginary results when evaluated at specific points.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants examining the definitions of the functions in question and their behavior at particular values. Some guidance has been offered regarding the evaluation of functions at specific points, but no consensus has been reached on the impossibility of the expansions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of evaluating functions at points such as 0, 1, and π/4, and how these relate to the concept of being "centered around a" in the context of power series.

razored
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Which of the following expansions is impossible?

a [tex]\sqrt{x-1}[/tex] in powers of x

b [tex]\sqrt{x+1}[/tex] in powers of x

c [tex]ln(x)[/tex] in powers of (x-1)

d [tex]tanx[/tex] in powers of (x-\pi / 4 )

e [tex]ln(1-x)[/tex] in powers of x

What are htey asking and how do i do this? the answer is A by the way
 
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"In powers of (x - a)" means that x will be close to a, and that the function and its derivatives will be evaluated at a. Which of the functions above are defined at a (which will be 0, or 1, or pi/4 in these problems)?
 


So for a, x=0, and that is an imaginary result. Is this the same thing as saying it is centered around a?

Thank you.
 


razored said:
So for a, x=0, and that is an imaginary result. Is this the same thing as saying it is centered around a?

Thank you.
If a = 0, it is.
 

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