Taylor Polynomial (can you help me?)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding Taylor polynomials and derivatives of specific functions, particularly f(x) = (x^3) [cos(x^2)] and f(x) = tan^(-1)(x). Participants are exploring the Taylor series expansions and the evaluation of derivatives at zero.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find the Taylor polynomial and derivatives but struggles to identify a pattern. Some participants suggest using known Taylor series expansions, particularly for cos(x) and arctan(x), while others inquire about the implications of these expansions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problems, offering hints and references to relevant formulas. There is a mix of attempts to derive patterns and suggestions to look up established series expansions. No consensus has been reached, and various interpretations of the problems are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of the functions involved, particularly in the context of evaluating higher-order derivatives. There is also a mention of the generalized Leibniz product rule as a potential resource.

kingwinner
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1) Let f(x) = (x^3) [cos(x^2)].
a) Find P_(4n+3) (x) (the 4n + 3-rd Taylor polynomial of f(x) )
b) Find f^(n) (0) for all natural numbers n. (the n-th derivative of f evaluated at 0)


I know the definition of Taylor polynomial but I am still unable to do this quesiton. I tried to find the first few terms but I can't see an obvious pattern. I have no problem using the definition to find the first few terms...but this is a weird question. Can someone nicely give me some hints on both parts?

Any help is greatly apprecaited!
 
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Do you know a formula for the Taylor expansion of cos(x) around x=0? What does this imply for cos(x^2)?
 
Yes, I know that formula, I guess I can replace x by x^2 and get a formula for cos(x^2) too...
 
I also have another terrible quesiton...I am dying from it...

2) Find the 2006-th derivative evaluated at 0 and the 2007-th derivative evluated at 0 for f(x)=tan^(-1) x (inverse tan)

Any hints?
 
kingwinner said:
I also have another terrible quesiton...I am dying from it...

2) Find the 2006-th derivative evaluated at 0 and the 2007-th derivative evluated at 0 for f(x)=tan^(-1) x (inverse tan)

Any hints?

I'm not very clear on what you mean f(x) to be.
 
kingwinner said:
2) Find the 2006-th derivative evaluated at 0 and the 2007-th derivative evluated at 0 for f(x)=tan^(-1) x (inverse tan)
Any hints?

Find the first couple of derivates. Do you see a pattern? Can you determine a formula for the nth derivative of arctan from it? Can you prove your formula works for all n?
 
e(ho0n3 said:
Find the first couple of derivates. Do you see a pattern? Can you determine a formula for the nth derivative of arctan from it? Can you prove your formula works for all n?

There isn't an obvious pattern...what can I do?
 
Look up the generalized leibniz product rule.
 
You could also simply look up the series expansion of arctan.
 

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