MHB Solution for POTW #230: Calculate g^(3)(0) for f(x)

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    2016
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The discussion focuses on calculating the third derivative of the inverse function g(x) at zero, where g(x) is the inverse of the function f(x) defined as f(x)=x+(x^2)/2+(x^3)/3+(x^4)/4+(x^5)/5. Participants are encouraged to refer to the guidelines for solving the Problem of the Week (POTW). Members kaliprasad and lfdahl provided correct solutions, with lfdahl detailing the steps taken to arrive at the answer. The thread emphasizes the importance of understanding inverse functions and their derivatives in this context. The conversation highlights the collaborative nature of problem-solving in mathematics forums.
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $$f(x)=x+\frac{x^2}{2}+\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{x^4}{4}+\frac{x^5}{5}$$.

Set $$g(x)=f^{-1}(x)$$, compute $$g^{(3)}(0)$$.

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution::)

1. kaliprasad
2. lfdahl

Solution from lfdahl:
$f$ and its derivatives evaluated in $x=0$:

\[f(x) = x + \frac{x^2}{2}+\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{x^4}{4}+\frac{x^5}{5} \\\\ f'(x) = 1 + x + x^2+ x^3+x^4 \\\\ f''(x)= 1+2x + 3x^2+4x^3 \\\\ f^{(3)}(x)=2+6x+12x^2 \\\\ f(0)=0, \: \: \: f'(0)=1,\: \: \: f''(0)=1,\: \: \: f^{(3)}(0)=2\]$g$ evaluated in $x=0$:

\[g(f(x)) = x \Rightarrow g(f(0)) = 0 \Rightarrow g(0)=0 \\\\ \]

In order to evaluate $g^{(3)}(0)$, I need the first three derivatives of $f(g(x))$:

1st differentiation:

\[\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} x}f(g(x)) = 1\Rightarrow f'(g(x))g'(x)=1 \\\\ f'(g(0))g'(0)=1 \Rightarrow f'(0)g'(0) = 1 \Rightarrow g'(0)=1\]

2nd differentiation:

\[\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} x}f'(g(x))g'(x)=0 \\\\ f''(g(x))(g'(x))^2+f'(g(x))g''(x)=0 \\\\ f''(0)(g'(0))^2+f'(0)g''(0)=0 \Rightarrow 1 \cdot 1^2 + g''(0)=0 \\\\ \Rightarrow g''(0) = -1\]

3rd differentiation:

\[\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} x}\left [ f''(g(x))(g'(x))^2+f'(g(x))g''(x) \right ]=0 \\\\ f^{(3)}(g(x))(g'(x))^3+3f''(g(x))g'(x)g''(x)+f'(g(x))g^{(3)}(x)=0 \]

\[ f^{(3)}(0)(g'(0))^3+3f''(0)g'(0)g''(0)+f'(0)g^{(3)}(0)=0 \\\\ 2\cdot 1^3+3 \cdot 1 \cdot 1 \cdot (-1)+1\cdot g^{(3)}(0)=0 \\\\ \Rightarrow g^{(3)}(0) = 1\]
 
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