Solving limit using tailor series

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of a difference of cosine functions as \( x \) approaches 0, specifically using Taylor series expansions. The problem involves the expressions \( \cos(xe^x) \) and \( \cos(xe^{-x}) \), and participants are exploring how to handle the remainders in their series expansions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss substituting exponential functions into the cosine expressions and express uncertainty about managing the remainder terms in their Taylor series. There are questions regarding the correct handling of orders of terms and the implications of these on the limit calculation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided suggestions for refining the approach, such as specifying terms more clearly and considering alternative identities for cosine differences. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of these adjustments on the limit's evaluation, with no explicit consensus reached on the correct path forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with the order of terms in their expansions, specifically questioning whether certain terms should be included or excluded, and the impact of these decisions on the final result. There is also mention of specific homework constraints regarding the use of Taylor series.

transgalactic
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[tex] \lim _{x->0} \frac{cos(xe^x)-cos(xe^{-x})}{x^3}\\[/tex]
[tex] e^x=1+x+O(x^2)\\[/tex]
[tex] e^{-x}=1-x+O(x^2)\\[/tex]
[tex] xe^x=x+O(x^2)\\[/tex]
[tex] cos(x)=1-\frac{1}{2!}x^2+O(x^3)\\[/tex]
[tex] \lim_{x->0} \frac{1-\frac{1}{2!}(x+O(x^2))^2+O(x^3)-1+\frac{1}{2!}(x+O(x^2))^2+O(x^3)}{x^3}[/tex]

but i don't know how to deal with the remainders
there squaring of them etc..

??
 
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Hi transgalactic! :smile:

hmm … from the x3 on the bottom, I'd guess you need to specify the x2 terms as well, and not start the Os until O(x3)

or you could just use cosA - cosB = 2.sin(A+B)/2.sin(A-B)/2 :wink:
 
i substituted functions one into another
that what i got.
where is my mathematical mistake there??

how to open this expression and having one O()
??
 
i tried to solve it again
[tex] \lim _{x->0} \frac{cos(xe^x)-cos(xe^{-x})}{x^3}\\<br /> e^x=1+x+O(x^2)\\<br /> [tex] e^{-x}=1-x+O(x^2)\\[/tex]<br /> [tex] xe^x=x+x^2+O(x^2)[/tex]<br /> [tex] xe^{-x}=x-x^2+O(x^2)[/tex]<br /> [tex] cos(x)=1-\frac{1}{2!}x^2+O(x^3)\\[/tex]<br /> [tex] \lim_{x->0} \frac{1-\frac{1}{2!}(x+x^2+O(x^2))^2+O(x^3)-1+\frac{1}{2!}(x-x^2+O(x^2))^2+O(x^3)}{x^3}=\\[/tex]<br /> [tex] =\lim_{x->0} \frac{1-\frac{1}{2!}(x^2+O(x^2))+O(x^3)-1+\frac{1}{2!}(x^2+O(x^2))+O(x^3)}{x^3}=0\\[/tex]<br /> <br /> the answer is 1/2<br /> why i got 0??[/tex]
 
Hi transgalactic! :smile:

Thta's actually pretty good, except …
transgalactic said:
[tex]cos(x)=1-\frac{1}{2!}x^2+O(x^3)\\[/tex]

should be O(x4) at the end, not O(x3)

and in the last line you should have x3 terms also …

they're the ones that don't cancel! :smile:

(and btw, it's "taylor", and why do you keep writing 2! instead of just 2? :wink:)
 

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