Taylor's approximation formula for an IVP and the chain

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the second-order Taylor approximation for a first-order initial value problem (IVP) defined by the differential equation f(x,y) = y' = (y + x^2 - 2) / (x + 1) with the initial condition y(0) = 2. Participants are exploring the application of Taylor series in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive the second-order Taylor approximation and are discussing the need to apply the chain rule for differentiation. Questions about the correctness of their derivatives and the application of the quotient rule are raised. There is also a query about how to format LaTeX inline without breaking lines.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the differentiation process and the use of Taylor series. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct application of derivatives and the implications of the chain rule in this context. Multiple interpretations of the problem and its requirements are being discussed.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the specific requirement for the second-order Taylor approximation around x = 0, and participants are considering the implications of the initial conditions provided in the problem statement.

atrus_ovis
Messages
99
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


<br /> f(x,y) = y&#039; = \frac{y+x^2-2}{x+1} , y(0) = 2
Write the formula for the 2nd order Taylor approximation

I just want to ask a question

Homework Equations


Taylor series

The Attempt at a Solution


Taylor:
<br /> y(x) = y(x_0) + y&#039;(x_0)(x-x_0) + \frac{y&#039;&#039;(x_0)(x-x_0)^2 }{2} = \\<br /> y(x_0) + f(x_0,y_0)(x-x_0) + \frac{f&#039;(x_0,y_0)(x-x_0)}{2} \\
To find the derivative , since f is a function of x and y(x) , i have to apply the chain rule and calculate
\frac{df}{dx} = \frac{df}{dy}\frac{dy}{dx} , aka calculate the derivative with respect to y and then just multiply by y' = f ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
atrus_ovis said:

Homework Statement


<br /> f(x,y) = y&#039; = \frac{y+x^2-2}{x+1} , y(0) = 2
Write the formula for the 2nd order Taylor approximation

I just want to ask a question

Homework Equations


Taylor series

The Attempt at a Solution


Taylor:
<br /> y(x) = y(x_0) + y&#039;(x_0)(x-x_0) + \frac{y&#039;&#039;(x_0)(x-x_0)^2 }{2} = \\<br /> y(x_0) + f(x_0,y_0)(x-x_0) + \frac{f&#039;(x_0,y_0)(x-x_0)}{2} \\
To find the derivative , since f is a function of x and y(x) , i have to apply the chain rule and calculate
\frac{df}{dx} = \frac{df}{dy}\frac{dy}{dx} , aka calculate the derivative with respect to y and then just multiply by y' = f ?

Yes, that's the general idea. But your exact formula is wrong. f is a function of two variables. Suppose f(x,y)=x^2+y^2. Then df/dx=2x+2yy'. If you do df/dy*dy/dx you'll only get 2yy'. Just differentiate with respect to x and then use the chain rule on terms with y's in them.
 
Last edited:
Ah,that's what i did at first, but it seemed very un-chainruly.
So is this correct?
<br /> \frac{df}{dx} = \frac{(y+x^2-2)&#039;(x+1) - (y+x^2-2)}{(x+1)^2} \\<br /> = \frac{(f(x,y) + 2x)(x+1) - (y+x^2-2)}{(x+1)^2} = ...\\<br /> ... = \frac{f(x,y)}{(x+1)} + \frac{1-y}{(x+1)^2} +1<br /> <br />

I can just substitute y' with the quantity given, right?

Also the formula
<br /> H(x,y)&#039; = H_x + H_y \frac{dy}{dx}<br />
works only for H in the form of H(x,y) = f(x)g(y) , from the product rule?

Lastly, how can i add LaTeX without breaking a line from the text?
Like text text LATEXLATEX text text
 
atrus_ovis said:
Ah,that's what i did at first, but it seemed very un-chainruly.
So is this correct?
<br /> \frac{df}{dx} = \frac{(y+x^2-2)&#039;(x+1) - (y+x^2-2)}{(x+1)^2} \\<br /> = \frac{(f(x,y) + 2x)(x+1) - (y+x^2-2)}{(x+1)^2} = ...\\<br /> ... = \frac{f(x,y)}{(x+1)} + \frac{1-y}{(x+1)^2} +1<br /> <br />

I can just substitute y' with the quantity given, right?

Also the formula
<br /> H(x,y)&#039; = H_x + H_y \frac{dy}{dx}<br />
works only for H in the form of H(x,y) = f(x)g(y) , from the product rule?

Lastly, how can i add LaTeX without breaking a line from the text?
Like text text LATEXLATEX text text

Looks ok. You can substitute y' for f, sure. And df/dx is y''. Is that what you meant? Your formula using the H's should work ok. It's the total differential. It should work for any form of H. It has the term that was missing from df/dy*dy/dx. To get inline tex use 'itex' instead of 'tex'.
 
Last edited:
Great.Thanks for your help.
 
atrus_ovis said:

Homework Statement


<br /> f(x,y) = y&#039; = \frac{y+x^2-2}{x+1} , y(0) = 2
Write the formula for the 2nd order Taylor approximation
I assume the problem specifically says "the 2nd order Taylor approximation around x= 0".

You are given that y(0)= 2 and can easily compute that y'(0)= (2+ 0- 2)/(0+ 1)= 0.
So, for the second order approximation you only need the second derivative. That is, of course, the first derivative of the f(x,y) with respect to x. And I see no reason to differentiate with respect to y.

Use the quotient rule:
y''= [(y'+ 2x)(x+1)- (1)(y+ x^2- 2)]/(x+ 1)^2

At x= 0, y= 2 and y'= 0 so that is
y''= [(0+ 0)(0+ 1)- (1)(0+ 0- 2)]/1= -2.

I just want to ask a question

Homework Equations


Taylor series


The Attempt at a Solution


Taylor:
<br /> y(x) = y(x_0) + y&#039;(x_0)(x-x_0) + \frac{y&#039;&#039;(x_0)(x-x_0)^2 }{2} = \\<br /> y(x_0) + f(x_0,y_0)(x-x_0) + \frac{f&#039;(x_0,y_0)(x-x_0)}{2} \\<br /> <br /> <br />
To find the derivative , since f is a function of x and y(x) , i have to apply the chain rule and calculate
\frac{df}{dx} = \frac{df}{dy}\frac{dy}{dx} , aka calculate the derivative with respect to y and then just multiply by y' = f ?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
924
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K