Taylor series to evaluate fractional-ordered derivatives

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the use of Taylor series to evaluate fractional-ordered derivatives of functions. Participants explore the applicability of Taylor series in this context, considering various types of functions and the properties of fractional derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if fractional derivatives distribute over addition, then fractional-ordered derivatives of any function could be evaluated using the Taylor series of that function.
  • Another participant points out that not all functions have a Taylor series, and even if they do, the series may not converge, complicating the evaluation of fractional derivatives.
  • There is a mention of different types of fractional derivatives, indicating that the question lacks precision until a specific type is chosen.
  • A participant raises the possibility of using the gamma function definition of fractional derivatives to compute derivatives of functions like ##\sin x## and ##\log x##.
  • Concerns are expressed about functions that have derivatives of all orders and convergent Taylor series but may converge to an incorrect function, exemplified by a specific piecewise function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the question of using Taylor series for fractional derivatives is complex and requires careful consideration of function properties. Multiple competing views remain regarding the applicability and limitations of Taylor series in this context.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for functions to have a convergent Taylor series and the existence of various types of fractional derivatives, which complicates the discussion. The potential for Taylor series to converge to incorrect functions is also noted.

Kumar8434
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Can the Taylor series be used to evaluate fractional-ordered derivative of any function?
I got this from Wikipedia:
$$\frac{d^a}{dx^a}x^k=\frac{\Gamma({k+1})}{\Gamma({k-a+1})}x^{k-a}$$
From this, we can compute fractional-ordered derivatives of a function of the form ##cx^k##, where ##c## and ##k## are constants (assuming that the constant term gets out of the derivative even in case of fractional derivatives, which must be true).
So, if the derivatives of fractional order have the property of distribution over addition, i.e. it distributes over the various terms of a function connected by the addition operator, then it should be easy to evaluate fractional ordered derivatives of any function ##f(x)## by applying the fractional ordered derivative to the Taylor series of the function.
But it wasn't mentioned anywhere on the Wikipedia article on fractional calculus about using Taylor series to evaluate fractional-ordered derivatives of any function. Does some problem come in evaluating fractional-ordered derivatives that way?
 
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Kumar8434 said:
Can the Taylor series be used to evaluate fractional-ordered derivative of any function?

Some functions don't have a Taylor series. Some functions don't have derivatives. If a function has derivatives of all orders and has a Taylor series, the Taylor series doesn't necessarily converge. So, to formulate a useful question, you need to ask specifically about functions that have a convergent Taylor series. That's worth investigating. I don't know the answer. There are several different types of fractional derivatives, so it isn't a precisely defined question till we pick a specific type of fractional derivative.
 
Stephen Tashi said:
Some functions don't have a Taylor series. Some functions don't have derivatives. If a function has derivatives of all orders and has a Taylor series, the Taylor series doesn't necessarily converge. So, to formulate a useful question, you need to ask specifically about functions that have a convergent Taylor series. That's worth investigating. I don't know the answer. There are several different types of fractional derivatives, so it isn't a precisely defined question till we pick a specific type of fractional derivative.
I've picked this gamma function definition of fractional derivatives. Can this be used to get fractional derivatives of ##sinx##. ##logx##, etc?
 
Stephen Tashi said:
Some functions don't have a Taylor series. Some functions don't have derivatives. If a function has derivatives of all orders and has a Taylor series, the Taylor series doesn't necessarily converge. So, to formulate a useful question, you need to ask specifically about functions that have a convergent Taylor series. That's worth investigating. I don't know the answer. There are several different types of fractional derivatives, so it isn't a precisely defined question till we pick a specific type of fractional derivative.

Sometimes it also happens that a function has derivatives of all orders and has a convergent Taylor series, but it converges towards a wrong function... Think about a function defined by: ##f(x) = 0## if ##x \leq 0##, ##f(x)=e^{-1/x}## if ##x > 0##.
 

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