Taylor's Formula: Usage & Calculation for Calculators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Taylor's formula, its definition, usage in calculators, and the accuracy of approximations provided by Taylor polynomials. Participants explore theoretical aspects and practical applications, as well as the limitations of using Taylor series in computational contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant defines Taylor's formula and describes its approximation capabilities for differentiable functions.
  • Another participant asserts that calculators do not use Taylor's formula, but rather a more advanced method called CORDIC for calculations involving trigonometric and exponential functions.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding how to determine the maximum number of values a Taylor polynomial can accommodate before exceeding a specific error threshold.
  • Another participant suggests that the error term formula provided earlier addresses the question about the approximation's accuracy in relation to specific arguments.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the frequent use of Taylor series in calculators, noting that while it has theoretical merits, it may not be the most efficient method for function approximation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the practical usage of Taylor's formula in calculators, with some arguing against its common application and others highlighting its theoretical importance.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific conditions under which Taylor polynomials provide sufficiently accurate approximations, as well as the implications of using CORDIC versus Taylor series for calculations.

Curious09
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What is taylor formula and how it is used in calculators?
 
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Taylor's formulas says that if f(x) is n+ 1 times differentiable in some neighborhood of [itex]x= x_0[/itex], then f(x) can be approximated by
[tex]T(x)= f(x_0)+ f'(x_0)(x- x_0)+ \frac{f''(x_0)}{2}(x- x_0)^2+ \frac{f'''(x_0)}{6}(x- x_0)^3+ \cdot\cdot\cdot+ \frac{f^{(n)}(x_0)}{n!}(x- x_0)^n[/tex]
where "[itex]f^{(n)}(x_0)[/itex]" indicates the nth derivative evaluated at [itex]x= x_0[/itex]. Further, the error, |f(x)- T(x)|, will be less than
[tex]\frac{f^{(n+1)}(x_0)}{(n+1)!}|x- x_0|^{n+1}[/tex].

I'm surprised you did not just look it up with Google or on Wikipedia. You will get a lot more information.

As for "how is it used in calculators"- it isn't. Calculators and Computers use a much more advanced numerical procedure called "CORDIC" to do calculations of trig functions, exponentials, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CORDIC
 
But i am unable to understand how they calculate maximum number of values which it can accommodate before giving an error more than some specific value.
 
"maximum number of values"? You mean, in what environment of a specific argument the Taylor polynomial supplies a "sufficiently good" approximation? There is a formula for the error term, it was already posted above. It answers your question (if I got it right) more or less directly.
Please state your questions clearer and show a little bit more initiative.
 
I would be surprised if the Taylor series was often used in calculators. The Taylor series has a lot of good theoretical properties and it is the first method of approximation you should learn. But it is usually not the most efficient way to approximate a given function. If it is used, @HallsOfIvy has posted the information.
 

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