Taylor expansion with multi variables

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Taylor expansion for functions of multiple variables, specifically addressing the inclusion of derivatives in the expansion and the evaluation points for these derivatives. Participants explore the formulation and application of the Taylor expansion in the context of three variables.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why derivatives are not explicitly included in the Taylor expansion of multiple variables as presented in a book.
  • Another participant suggests that the derivatives are incorporated into the coefficients of the Taylor expansion, which are evaluated at a specific point.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the absence of specified evaluation points for the derivatives in the Taylor expansion presented in the book.
  • Several participants provide a detailed formulation of the Taylor expansion for three variables, indicating the structure of the expansion and how terms relate to the coefficients and derivatives.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the clarification on the multivariable Taylor expansion, indicating that the explanation helped them understand the concept better.
  • A participant references external resources, including Wikipedia and a specific link, for further information on the multivariable Taylor expansion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the inclusion and evaluation of derivatives in the Taylor expansion, with some agreeing on the general structure while others remain uncertain about specific details. The discussion does not reach a consensus on these points.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the lack of specification regarding the evaluation points for derivatives in the Taylor expansion, which may lead to confusion. The discussion also highlights the need for clarity in definitions and assumptions related to the expansion.

bubblewrap
Messages
134
Reaction score
2
I was reading a book on differential equations when this(taylor expansion of multi variables) happened. Why does it not include derivatives of f in any form? The page of that book is in the file below.
 

Attachments

  • 20160108_151010.jpg
    20160108_151010.jpg
    39.7 KB · Views: 529
Physics news on Phys.org
I think the derivatives must have been absorbed into the definition of the coefficients, because in the end, the derivatives in Taylor expansion will be evaluated at the point around which the function is approximated.
 
blue_leaf77 said:
I think the derivatives must have been absorbed into the definition of the coefficients, because in the end, the derivatives in Taylor expansion will be evaluated at the point around which the function is approximated.
Still, I have not seen anything like this in Taylor expansion. Perhaps the derivates were included in the coefficients but it doesn't say at which point it was evaluated and so on.
 
That's the Taylor expansion for three variables, up to the second order it goes like
$$
f(x_1,x_2,x_3) \approx f(a_1,a_2,a_3) + \sum_{i=1}^3 \frac{\partial f(a_1,a_2,a_3)}{\partial x_i} (x_i-a_i) + \frac{1}{2!}\sum_{i=1}^3\sum_{j=1}^3 \frac{\partial^2 f(a_1,a_2,a_3)}{\partial x_i \partial x_j} (x_i-a_i)(x_j-a_j)
$$
The first term of the expansion of ##\lambda## in that book is equal to the first term in the above formula, the next three terms linear in ##\pi##, ##s##. and ##p/n## belong to the second term (the one containing single summation), and the rest belong to the double summation term. It needs not specify around which point the function is approximated when it only wants to give a general expression.
 
blue_leaf77 said:
That's the Taylor expansion for three variables, up to the second order it goes like
$$
f(x_1,x_2,x_3) \approx f(a_1,a_2,a_3) + \sum_{i=1}^3 \frac{\partial f(a_1,a_2,a_3)}{\partial x_i} (x_i-a_i) + \frac{1}{2!}\sum_{i=1}^3\sum_{j=1}^3 \frac{\partial^2 f(a_1,a_2,a_3)}{\partial x_i \partial x_j} (x_i-a_i)(x_j-a_j)
$$
The first term of the expansion of ##\lambda## in that book is equal to the first term in the above formula, the next three terms linear in ##\pi##, ##s##. and ##p/n## belong to the second term (the one containing single summation), and the rest belong to the double summation term. It needs not specify around which point the function is approximated when it only wants to give a general expression.
Ah thank you, I've been searching for multi variable taylor expansion bit wasn't able to find one like your explanation. It really all makes sense now, thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K