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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around Taylor series, specifically focusing on finding the nth term and determining the radius and interval of convergence for a series centered at x = 2. Participants are exploring the correct formulation of the series and the application of the ratio test.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulation of the nth term of the Taylor series and its correctness. There are attempts to apply the ratio test to find the radius and interval of convergence. Questions arise regarding the proper application of the ratio test and the interpretation of results.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided guidance on the formulation of the nth term and the application of the ratio test. There is ongoing exploration of the derivative of the series and how it relates to the original function. Multiple interpretations of the series representation are being examined, and participants are actively seeking clarification on their approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is also a focus on ensuring the accuracy of terms and convergence criteria, which may lead to differing opinions on the correct approach.

irunshow
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Solved Thanks guys
 
Last edited:
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(a) Your first four terms are right, but the nth term is not. Your f^n(a) will change that. And it is important to have that part right, because you need it for:
(b) Once you have your general formula for the Taylor at x = 2, you need to determine for what values of x it will converge. Remember back to the days of convergent series, when you applied the ratio/root/etc test to determine convergent. One of those will be quite useful here. And the requirements for that test will give you a requirement on x, essentially a radius and interval of convergence. Try that out and let us know what you get. We can help you more once you get there.
 
Thanks Sethric

I got the nth to = (-1)^n (1/n!)(x-2)^n. is this one correct?

Then i used the ratio test to get this lim n->∞ = abs((-x+2)/(n+1)) so R = ∞ and I = ∞

Is this correct?
Thanks
 
I got the nth to = (-1)^n (1/n!)(x-2)^n. is this one correct?

Close, but not quite. You can plug in n=2 to see that it does not match up with your series. I recommend looking at the pattern formed by the f^n(a) part of the Taylor series. What is f^n(a) for a particular n?
 
Actually,

How do I find abs(an +1/an)? Like I am not sure how to find the an term to fit into the series to check for radius of convergenceEdit:

nth to = (-1)^n (1/2^(n+1))(x-2)^n
 
Also the ratio test requires that the ratio of the absolute value of your n+1-term to your n-term be less than 1. That's where the inequality is coming from.
 
Ah, the edit.

Edit:

nth to = (-1)^n (1/2^(n+1))(x-2)^n

This is correct. Now apply the ratio test to this.
 
I got abs(-(x-2)) < 2

So R = 2
And I = (-4,0)Is that abs(-(x-2)) correct? and I use the function centered at -2? or is it +2? If it is +2, then I= (-2,2).

Thanks

EDIT:

Nvm I got
I= (-2,2)
R=2
 
The absolute value drops the negative sign. So |x-2| < 2. This gives an interval centered at x = 2 with a radius of 2.
 
  • #10
Thanks sethric,

I did f(x) = -1/x^2

and i got:

(-1/4) + (1/4)(x-2) - (3/16)(x-2)^2 + (1/8)(x-2)^3 +...+

But I can't seem to find the nth pattern. Is there a formula I can plug into find it?
 
  • #11
Just remember that the derivative of the nth term of your series for 1/x will be the nth term for your series -1/x^2.
 
  • #12
Ic okay thanks Char.limit I will try to work it out and post the answer on there

Edit: so if f(x) = -1/x^2

Then the series representation will have (f(x))' somewhere in it?
 
  • #13
Hrmm, is it -1/x^2, or 1/x^2. You have one in the first post, one in the last.

Either way, you know the formula comes from the [tex]\frac{f^n(a)}{n!}[/tex] part. Try writing out the each term without actually multiplying through, and without reducing fractions. What are your first four coefficients that way?

edit - Yeah, using char limit's idea is better, saving you a lot of work.
 
  • #14
I see. Thanks but I don't really understand char's limit idea. Can someone explain please?

it is -1/x^2 btw
 
  • #15
What Char limit is saying is that

[tex]\frac{-1}{x^2} = \frac{d}{dx} \frac{1}{x}[/tex]

Since both of your series are centered at 2, you can just take a derivative of the first series to find the second. It would make the coefficients easier to find.
 
  • #16
I got the first 4 quotients to be:

(-1/4) , (1/4), -(6/32), (24/192), -(120/1536)

I noticed the denominators all divisible by 4.

Also can anyone solve this pattern 1,2,6,24,120?
 
  • #17
Ic okay thanks Sethric.

Can I take the dervative of the representations of the series for 1/x to find out what the represenation of the series fo -1/x^2 is?
 
  • #18
irunshow said:
Ic okay thanks Sethric.

Can I take the dervative of the representations of the series for 1/x to find out what the represenation of the series fo -1/x^2 is?

Given, as I believe you have proven, that:

[tex]\frac{1}{x} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{\left(-1\right)^n \left(x-2\right)^n}{2^{n+1}}[/tex]

Then the derivative of 1/x is:

[tex]-\frac{1}{x^2} = \frac{d}{dx} \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{\left(-1\right)^n \left(x-2\right)^n}{2^{n+1}}[/tex]

Then just apply the sum of derivatives rule. (Hint: The derivative of a sum is the sum of the derivatives)
 
  • #19
*edit* Ooh, sniped, and with much nicer TeX
 
  • #20
Guys I got the representation to =

(-1)^n+1 (x-2)^n (1/2^(n+2)) (n+1)

Is this correct?

But I didnt use the sum of the derviates rule. I just added n+1 to first representation and multiplied it by n+1 as well
 
  • #21
irunshow said:
Guys I got the representation to =

(-1)^n+1 (x-2)^n (1/2^(n+2)) (n+1)

Is this correct?

But I didnt use the sum of the derviates rule. I just added n+1 to first representation and multiplied it by n+1 as well

All right, that works. (And you actually did, by assuming that this is true:

[tex]\frac{d}{dx} \sum_{n=0}^\infty f(x,n) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{d}{dx} f(x,n)[/tex]

Now, you have a series for -1/x^2. To make it for 1/x^2 you just need to adjust the exponent on your (-1)^(n+1) value.
 
  • #22
Thanks guys =)

But how does the sum of the derivates work?

do I do d/dx (-1)^n + d/dx (x-2)^n divided by d/dx (2^(n+1))? and add them together?

Don't I get something like n (-1)^(n-1) for the first term? how does that change into the correct represataion?
 
  • #23
irunshow said:
Thanks guys =)

But how does the sum of the derivates work?

do I do d/dx (-1)^n + d/dx (x-2)^n divided by d/dx (2^(n+1))? and add them together?

Don't I get something like n (-1)^(n-1) for the first term? how does that change into the correct represataion?

No no, what you had was correct for -1/x^2. To make it 1/x^2, all you had to do was adjust your (-1)^(n+1) index to either (-1)^n or (-1)^(n+2).
 
  • #24
Thanks char.

I got the radius of convergence to =

lim n-> ∞ of abs( (x-2)(n+2) / (n+1) ) < 2lim n-> ∞ of (n+2)/(n+1) = 1
so

R= 2
I = (-2/2)

Just as a general rule, does the derivative of a series have the same R and I if a is the same?Thanks everyone for the help
 

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