Taylor Polynomials and Numerical Analysis

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To approximate cos(42 degrees) using a Taylor polynomial about pi/4 with an accuracy of 10^-6, the error term must be calculated to determine the appropriate nth polynomial. The inequality for the error term is established as (pi/60)^(n+1)/(n+1)! ≤ 10^-6. Participants express confusion regarding the left-hand side of the inequality and how to solve for n. Clarifications suggest using LaTeX for clearer mathematical representation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurately determining the polynomial degree to meet the specified accuracy.
mynorka
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Homework Statement


Use a Taylor Polynomial about pi/4 to approximate cos(42){degrees} to an accuracy of 10^-6.

*To get an accuracy of 10^-6, use the error term to determine an nth Taylor Polynomial to use.

Homework Equations


x = 45 or pi/4, x0 = 42 or 7pi/30

cos(x) = Pn(x) + Rn(x)

Polynomial Term - Pn(x) = ∑f^(k)(x-x0)^k/(k)!

Error Term - Rn(x) = f^(n+1)(ζ(x))(x-x0)^(n+1)/(n+1)!

The Attempt at a Solution


(pi/60)^n/(n+1)! < ((-60/pi)*10^-6)/pi

^I get stuck at this part. I'm supposed to solve for n, but the left-hand side of this inequality confuses me.
 
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mynorka said:

Homework Statement


Use a Taylor Polynomial about pi/4 to approximate cos(42){degrees} to an accuracy of 10^-6.

*To get an accuracy of 10^-6, use the error term to determine an nth Taylor Polynomial to use.

Homework Equations


x = 45 or pi/4, x0 = 42 or 7pi/30

cos(x) = Pn(x) + Rn(x)

Polynomial Term - Pn(x) = ∑f^(k)(x-x0)^k/(k)!

Error Term - Rn(x) = f^(n+1)(ζ(x))(x-x0)^(n+1)/(n+1)!

The Attempt at a Solution


(pi/60)^n/(n+1)! < ((-60/pi)*10^-6)/pi

^I get stuck at this part. I'm supposed to solve for n, but the left-hand side of this inequality confuses me.

What are you doing? We have ##|\text{error}| \leq (\pi/60)^{n+1}/(n+1)!##, and this must not exceed ##10^{-6}##.
 
this is pretty tough to read. perhaps put it in latex and then we can check it out
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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