Taylor series of an integral function

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The discussion centers on calculating the Maclaurin series for the integral function f(x) = ∫(0 to x) (sin t / t) dt. The original approach involved differentiating the function, but evaluating the derivatives at x=0 proved problematic. Participants suggest that expanding sin(t) into a power series before integrating is a simpler method. This approach allows for easier manipulation and avoids the complications faced with direct differentiation. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the effectiveness of using Taylor series for complicated integrals.
Hernaner28
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Homework Statement



$$ \displaystyle f\left( x \right)=\int\limits_{0}^{x}{\frac{\sin t}{t}dt} $$

Calculate the Maclaurin series of third order.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



What I do is:

$$ \displaystyle f'\left( x \right)=\frac{\sin x}{x} $$

$$ \displaystyle f''\left( x \right)=\frac{x\cos x-\sin x}{{{x}^{2}}}$$

and so on...

but if I try to evaluate theese two on x=0 it doesn't make sense. I've seen I have to transform the integrand to the taylor polynomial but why is my "method" wrong?

Thanks
 
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Hernaner28 said:

Homework Statement



$$ \displaystyle f\left( x \right)=\int\limits_{0}^{x}{\frac{\sin t}{t}dt} $$

Calculate the Maclaurin series of third order.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



What I do is:

$$ \displaystyle f'\left( x \right)=\frac{\sin x}{x} $$

$$ \displaystyle f''\left( x \right)=\frac{x\cos x-\sin x}{{{x}^{2}}}$$

and so on...

but if I try to evaluate theese two on x=0 it doesn't make sense. I've seen I have to transform the integrand to the taylor polynomial but why is my "method" wrong?

Thanks

f' and f'' both have specific limiting values at x = 0. For example, in the limit of x approaches zero, f' = 1.
 
It's a lot easier if you expand sin(t) in a power series. Then divide by t. You are simply trying to do it the hard way.
 
Hernaner28 said:

Homework Statement



$$ \displaystyle f\left( x \right)=\int\limits_{0}^{x}{\frac{\sin t}{t}dt} $$

Calculate the Maclaurin series of third order.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



What I do is:

$$ \displaystyle f'\left( x \right)=\frac{\sin x}{x} $$

$$ \displaystyle f''\left( x \right)=\frac{x\cos x-\sin x}{{{x}^{2}}}$$

and so on...

but if I try to evaluate theese two on x=0 it doesn't make sense. I've seen I have to transform the integrand to the taylor polynomial but why is my "method" wrong?

Thanks

The beauty of a Taylor series is that it allows you to express functions which are complicated to integrate in terms of an infinite sum of polynomials which are easy to integrate.

The Maclaurin series is simply the Taylor series centered at 0.

Recall that the Maclaurin series for sinx = \sum_{n=0}^{∞}\frac{x^(2n+1)}{(2n+1)!}(-1)^n

Using this fact you should be able to solve your integral.
 
Dick said:
It's a lot easier if you expand sin(t) in a power series. Then divide by t. You are simply trying to do it the hard way.

I agree. That's how I would have done the problem if it had been posed to me. But I wanted to show how it could also have been done using the more difficult way that the OP had pursued.
 
Thank you guys, now I understand ;)
 
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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