# Taylor series and convergence

## Main Question or Discussion Point

Hi,
Im really stuck on my homework . The question is : For what values of x do you expect the following Taylor series to converge? Do not work out the series .

for a) I've put no vlues of x would the series converge. is this correct?
and for b) Im not sure

any help would be appreciated
thankyou
ellie

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper
Hi,
Im really stuck on my homework . The question is : For what values of x do you expect the following Taylor series to converge? Do not work out the series .
The Taylor series of a function, around x= a, converges over an interval symmetric about a up until a point where function is not "analytic" which includes being continuous, differentiable, etc. $$\displaystyle x^2- x- 2= (x- 2)(x+ 1)$$ is negative for x between -1 and 2 and so its square root is not defined there. x= 2 is closer to 3 than -1 is so the series converges for all x between 2 and 3 and for an equal distance on the other side: the Taylor seires for $\sqrt{x^2- x- 2}$, about x= 3, will converge for x between 2 and 4.

This function is analytic for all x. It's Taylor's series, about any point, will converge for all x.

for a) I've put no vlues of x would the series converge. is this correct?
Every power series, of the form $\sum p_n(x- a)^n$ converges for at least x= a!

and for b) Im not sure

any help would be appreciated
thankyou
ellie