Solving Goldstein 3.3: Taylor Series & Newton-Rhapson

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves approximating a solution to Kepler's equation using Taylor series expansions, specifically focusing on the relationship between the variables \(\rho\) and \(\omega t\). The original poster references a specific problem from Goldstein's text and is attempting to derive successive approximations for \(\rho\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster discusses using the Maclaurin series for \(\sin(\rho)\) and considers various methods for obtaining the second approximation, expressing uncertainty about which approach aligns with the book's expectations.
  • Some participants question the correctness of the expressions provided and refer to errata for clarification.
  • There is mention of potentially using an iterative approach with Newton-Raphson, indicating a search for a suitable method.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants verifying the correctness of the expressions and exploring different methods for deriving the second approximation. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach, but participants are engaging in clarifying the problem and sharing insights about the text.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between different printings of the Goldstein text, which may affect the interpretation of the problem. There is also a recognition of the algebraic complexity involved in manipulating the series expansions.

buttersrocks
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Homework Statement


(Goldstein 3.3)

If the difference [tex]\psi - \omega t[/tex] in represented by [tex]\rho[/tex], Kepler's equation can be written:

[tex]\rho = e Sin(\omega t + \rho)[/tex]

Successive approximations to [tex]\rho[/tex] can be obtained by expanding [tex]Sin(\rho)[/tex] in a Taylor series in [tex]\rho[/tex], and then replacing [tex]\rho[/tex] by its expression given by Kepler's equation. Show that the first approximation by [tex]\rho[/tex] is given by:

[tex]tan \rho_1 = \frac{e Sin(\omega t)}{1-e Cos(\omega t)}[/tex]

and that the next approximation is found from:

[tex]sin^3(\rho_2 - \rho_1) = -\frac{1}{6}e^3 sin(\omega t + \rho_1)(1+e cos(\omega t))[/tex]


Homework Equations



All shown above...

The Attempt at a Solution



Okay, the first part quickly pops out of the Maclaurin series for Sin(rho). The second part, however, I'm having some trouble with. I can think of many different ways this might be approximated and don't know which approach the book is looking for. If someone could set me on the right track, I'd very much appreciate it. (the e^3/6 is making this look like they want me to use the next term of the taylor series or something.)

Methods I can try:
Expand the taylor series around [tex]\rho=\rho_1[/tex] for the first however many terms. (While this may not be the method the book is looking for, it's probably going to give something more accurate than the maclaurin series with the same number of terms...)

Take the next term of the Maclaurin series. (I'm getting stuck when doing this.)

Something that strikes me odd, but perhaps he wants some sort of iterative approach using Newton-Rhapson at this point?

Thanks.
 
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That's not the expression for the second expansion I see in my version of Goldstein.
 
Yeah, I just checked a more recent printing, and indeed, it's been fixed to what you have there. Apologies...

That's pretty clearly the second term in the sine expansion. I haven't worked out how it gets that form yet though.
 
No worries. If you do manage to get in that form, I'd appreciate you setting me in the right direction. I can get almost there, but I can never get rid of terms involving [tex]\rho_2[/tex] that are not inside of the LHS sine.

Mainly, is it the second term of the Maclaurin series where I substitute in the first term for some constants, or do I re-expand the Taylor series about [tex]\rho_1[/tex] and take it to the cubic term. It's too much algebraic manipulation for me to sit down and beat it into submission without knowing that I'm doing what he actually expects.
 

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