Prove: Binomial Expansion for e^{2x}-1/e^{2x}+1 up to x^5

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the approximation of the expression \(\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\) for small values of \(x\), specifically up to \(x^5\). Participants are exploring the binomial expansion and Taylor series related to exponential functions and logarithms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to derive the series expansion for \(\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\) and relate it to logarithmic expressions. Some express difficulty in isolating terms and suggest alternative methods, including taking logarithms and expanding functions symmetrically.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of various methods to approach the problem, with some participants suggesting different strategies and expressing uncertainty about their effectiveness. Multiple interpretations and methods are being discussed without a clear consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the constraint of neglecting terms of order \(x^6\) and higher, which influences their approaches. The relationship between the two parts of the question is also highlighted, indicating a potential connection in the methods used.

Appleton
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Homework Statement


Prove that, if x is so small that
x^6 and higher powers of x may be neglected, then \frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
\\<br /> \frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx\frac{2x+\frac{(2x)^2}{2}+\frac{(2x)^3}{3!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^4}{4!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^5}{5!}}{2+2x+\frac{(2x)^2}{2}+\frac{(2x)^3}{3!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^4}{4!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^5}{5!}}<br /> \\<br /> \approx<br /> \frac{x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}{1+x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}<br /> \\<br /> <br /> \approx<br /> \frac{x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}+x^2+x^3+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}}{1+x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}<br /> \\<br />
At this point I am unable to isolate
<br /> x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}<br /> \\<br />
The only other approaches that occur to me are:
<br /> e^{2x}(e^{2x} +1)^{-1}-(e^{2x}+1)^{-1}<br />
From which I could yield a series of ascending powers of e^{2x}, however this doesn't seem to lead anywhere useful.
Alternatively:
\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx 1-\frac{1}{1+x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}<br /> \\<br />
was another expression I looked at but didn't seem to go anywhere.
Part a) of this question asks me to express ln{\frac{1+x}{1-x}} as a series of ascending powers of x up to and including x^5. I got 2(x+\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{x^5}{5}). Given that the two problems form 2 parts of the same question and the form of the expressions look so similar and ln and e are closely related, I would expect there to be some strong relationship between the route to finding the answers to both these questions.
 
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Appleton said:
Part a) of this question asks me to express ln{\frac{1+x}{1-x}} as a series of ascending powers of x up to and including x^5. I got 2(x+\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{x^5}{5}). Given that the two problems form 2 parts of the same question and the form of the expressions look so similar and ln and e are closely related, I would expect there to be some strong relationship between the route to finding the answers to both these questions.

I would start from this insight. What happens if you take the logarithm of the entire expression?
 
Appleton said:

Homework Statement


Prove that, if x is so small that
x^6 and higher powers of x may be neglected, then \frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
\\<br /> \frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx\frac{2x+\frac{(2x)^2}{2}+\frac{(2x)^3}{3!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^4}{4!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^5}{5!}}{2+2x+\frac{(2x)^2}{2}+\frac{(2x)^3}{3!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^4}{4!}+<br /> \frac{(2x)^5}{5!}}<br /> \\<br /> \approx<br /> \frac{x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}{1+x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}<br /> \\<br /> <br /> \approx<br /> \frac{x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}+x^2+x^3+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}}{1+x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}<br /> \\<br />
At this point I am unable to isolate
<br /> x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}<br /> \\<br />
The only other approaches that occur to me are:
<br /> e^{2x}(e^{2x} +1)^{-1}-(e^{2x}+1)^{-1}<br />
From which I could yield a series of ascending powers of e^{2x}, however this doesn't seem to lead anywhere useful.
Alternatively:
\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx 1-\frac{1}{1+x+x^2+\frac{2x^3}{3}+<br /> \frac{x^4}{3}+<br /> \frac{2x^5}{15}}<br /> \\<br />
was another expression I looked at but didn't seem to go anywhere.
Part a) of this question asks me to express ln{\frac{1+x}{1-x}} as a series of ascending powers of x up to and including x^5. I got 2(x+\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{x^5}{5}). Given that the two problems form 2 parts of the same question and the form of the expressions look so similar and ln and e are closely related, I would expect there to be some strong relationship between the route to finding the answers to both these questions.

It is easier and neater to first expand
f(t)= \frac{t}{t+2}
in powers of ##t##, then substitute ##t = e^{2x}-1## afterward. Since ##t## is of "order" ##x## in magnitude, to get results accurate up to order ##x^6## you need keep only powers up to ##t^6##; do you see why? Then just substitute the series for ##e^{2x}## and grind and grind.
 
Thanks for your replies. I did look at taking the logarithm of
\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1}\approx x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}
Which gave me
ln(e^{2x}-1) - ln(e^{2x}+1)\approx ln(x-\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15})
But I couldn't progress with it because I couldn't see how to expand ln(e^{2x}-1)
So, deploying Ray's method, I guess I am meant to simplify the following and then substitute the expansion series for e^{2x} right?
\frac{e^{2x}-1}{2}-\frac{(e^{2x}-1)^2}{4}+\frac{(e^{2x}-1)^3}{8}-\frac{(e^{2x}-1)^4}{32}+\frac{(e^{2x}-1)^5}{192}-\frac{(e^{2x}-1)^6}{1536}<br />
Seems pretty laborious, I guess that's what you mean by 'grind and grind'.
 
I'd start by restoring some symmetry to the function:
$$\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1} = \frac{e^x(e^x-e^{-x})}{e^x(e^x+e^{-x})} = \frac{e^x-e^{-x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}.$$ If you now expand the numerator and denominator as series, the algebra's actually not too bad.
 
Thanks for explaining that. I am still quite interested to know what Orodruin had in mind when he suggested taking the logarithm of the whole expression.
 
Appleton said:
Thanks for explaining that. I am still quite interested to know what Orodruin had in mind when he suggested taking the logarithm of the whole expression.

To be quite honest, I think I was tired and not thinking very straight when I wrote that. Ray's or vela's proposals seem much more straightforward.

Edit: Looking at the computations, vela's method seems to be the one with less algebra, simply because you only have to consider three terms in the numerator and denominator, respectively, due to the symmetry.
 
Last edited:
Alternatively, you could note that:

##\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1} = tanh(x)##

Then derive the Taylor series about 0 for ##tanh##. Setting ##f(x) = tanh(x)## and expressing higher derivates in terms of lower derivatives keeps the algebra under control.

##f'(x) = 1 - f(x)^2##

##f''(x) = -2f(x)f'(x)##

##f'''(x) = -2f'(x)^2 -2f(x)f''(x)##

Etc.
 
vela said:
I'd start by restoring some symmetry to the function:
$$\frac{e^{2x}-1}{e^{2x}+1} = \frac{e^x(e^x-e^{-x})}{e^x(e^x+e^{-x})} = \frac{e^x-e^{-x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}.$$ If you now expand the numerator and denominator as series, the algebra's actually not too bad.
Sorry to string this out, unfortunately I'm unable to derive the answer from this method, after expanding your expression I get \frac{x+\frac{x^3}{3!}+\frac{x^5}{5!}}{1+\frac{x^2}{2}+\frac{x^4}{4!}} and can't see how to progress from here.
 
  • #10
Use the fact that ##\frac{1}{1+t} = 1-t+t^2-\cdots##.
 
  • #11
Never would have thought of that. Good trick. I'll try and remember that. Thanks.
 

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