Unraveling the Mysteries of Taylor's Theorem

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SUMMARY

Taylor's theorem provides a method to approximate a function f(x) at a point (x + δ) using its derivatives at x. The series expansion is expressed as f(x + δ) = f(x) + f'(x)δ + (1/2!)f''(x)δ² + ..., where the convergence depends on δ. The discussion highlights the utility of Taylor series in approximating functions like ln(1 + δ) and cos(δ) for small δ values. Participants clarify the process of deriving Taylor series and emphasize the importance of recognizing patterns in the derivatives to formulate a general series.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically derivatives and series expansions.
  • Familiarity with Taylor series and their applications in function approximation.
  • Knowledge of the natural logarithm function and its derivatives.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills for simplifying series terms.
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive Taylor series for trigonometric functions, specifically sin(δ) and cos(δ).
  • Study the concept of convergence and the radius of convergence for Taylor series.
  • Explore the application of Taylor series in numerical methods and error analysis.
  • Investigate higher-order derivatives and their role in constructing Taylor series for complex functions.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, physics, and engineering who require a solid understanding of Taylor's theorem for function approximation and analysis.

  • #31
Oblio said:
I'm sure this sounds ridiculous but these series are new to me. Multiply OUT the factorials?

3! = 3*2*1 = 6.

4! = 4*3*2*1 = 24. etc.
 
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  • #32
You can multiply what is being added I see. lol
 
  • #33
I need a little example I think in starting the simplification... (Pleeease)
 
  • #34
Oblio said:
I need a little example I think in starting the simplification... (Pleeease)

for example the \frac{1}{3!}\frac{2}{x^3}(\delta)^3 becomes \frac{2}{3*2*1*x^3}(\delta)^3 = \frac{2}{6x^3}(\delta)^3 = \frac{1}{3x^3}(\delta)^3

can you do the same type of thing will all the terms, and show the series like that?
 
  • #35
Also meaning that the first two terms cannot be simplified yet?

So, taking \frac{1}{4!} \frac{-6}{x^{4}}\delta^{4}

becomes:
\frac{-6}{4*3*2*1*x^{4}}\delta^{4}

= \frac{-1}{4x^{4}}\delta^{4} ?
 
  • #36
Oblio said:
Also meaning that the first two terms cannot be simplified yet?

So, taking \frac{1}{4!} \frac{-6}{x^{4}}\delta^{4}

becomes:
\frac{-6}{4*3*2*1*x^{4}}\delta^{4}

= \frac{-1}{4x^{4}}\delta^{4} ?

Yes, that looks right... so show the first 5 terms as a sum...
 
  • #37
leaving me with

ln(x) + \frac{1}{x}\delta - \frac{1}{2x^{2}}\delta^{2} + \frac{1}{3x^{3}}\delta^{3} - \frac{1}{4x^{4}}\delta^4}

copied it out too quick...
 
  • #38
Oblio said:
leaving me with

ln(x) + \frac{1}{x}\delta - \frac{1}{2x^{2}}\delta^{2} + \frac{1}{3x^{3}}\delta^{3} - \frac{1}{2x^{2}}\delta^{2}

? What's with the last term?
 
  • #39
^^ oops. edited it.
 
  • #40
Oblio said:
leaving me with

ln(x) + \frac{1}{x}\delta - \frac{1}{2x^{2}}\delta^{2} + \frac{1}{3x^{3}}\delta^{3} - \frac{1}{4x^{4}}\delta^4}

copied it out too quick...

cool... now except for the first term... do you see the pattern of the next 4 terms... can you write the series formula?
 
  • #41
yeah i do se it: delta, the denominator and the exponent are all going up by one very clearly.
 
  • #42
is a series formula numerous equations again?
 
  • #43
Oblio said:
is a series formula numerous equations again?

it's a formula like:

e^x = \Sigma_0^{\infty}{\frac{x^n}{n!}}

write a fomula like that for this series... you can either substitute in x = 1 now, or after you have the series formula... up to you.
 
  • #44
learningphysics said:
it's a formula like:

e^x = \Sigma_0^{\infty}{\frac{x^n}{n!}}

write a fomula like that for this series... you can either substitute in x = 1 now, or after you have the series formula... up to you.

e^x = \Sigma_0^{\infty}{\frac{x^n}{1+n!^{n+1}}} I'm not sure if I need the exponent in the numerator and whether I must include delta...
 
  • #45
Oblio said:
e^x = \Sigma_0^{\infty}{\frac{x^n}{1+n!^{n+1}}} I'm not sure if I need the exponent in the numerator and whether I must include delta...

I just used the e^x as an example... don't try to make it look exactly like that. Yes, you need delta...

when you write out the sum of the formula you gave above, do you get back the series you calculated?
 
  • #46
Oblio said:
ln (x+\delta) = \Sigma_0^{\infty}{\frac{x^n}{1+n!^{n+1}}}\delta ^{n+1}

I'm pretty sure this is still wrong but I'm looking at it check things out..
 
  • #47
Oblio said:
I'm pretty sure this is still wrong but I'm looking at it check things out..

But the x's have to be in the denominator. also the 1+n!^(n+1) makes no sense...
 
  • #48
I'm not sure how else to do it. (I've handed this assignment in now.. such is deadlines!)
 
  • #49
Oblio said:
I'm not sure how else to do it. (I've handed this assignment in now.. such is deadlines!)

Sorry about that. no big deal. My idea was something more along the lines of:

ln(x+\delta) = ln(x) + \Sigma_{n=1}^{n=\infty}(-1)^{n+1}\frac{(\delta)^n}{x^n}

Then substituting x = 1. But you did most of the important stuff... calculating the terms... so this is just the last bit...
 
  • #50
The n's in the fraction were increasing too though?
 
  • #51
Oblio said:
The n's in the fraction were increasing too though?

Ah yes, you're right. I messed up... should be:

ln(x+\delta) = ln(x) + \Sigma_{n=1}^{n=\infty}(-1)^{n+1}\frac{(\delta)^n}{nx^n}
 
  • #52
Could you do a step by step to getting that from the equation? (please)
 
  • #53
Oblio said:
Could you do a step by step to getting that from the equation? (please)

Ok we start with this:

ln(x+\delta) = ln(x) + \frac{1}{x}\delta - \frac{1}{2x^2}\delta^2 + \frac{1}{3x^3}\delta^3 - \frac{1}{4x^4}\delta^4

instead of a series... let's just look at the sequence...

\frac{1}{x}\delta, -\frac{1}{2x^2}\delta^2, \frac{1}{3x^3}\delta^3, -\frac{1}{4x^4}\delta^4

first term (n=1) is \frac{1}{x}\delta
second term(n=2) is -\frac{1}{2x^2}\delta^2

In general what is the nth term?
 
  • #54
learningphysics said:
Ok we start with this:

ln(x+\delta) = ln(x) + \frac{1}{x}\delta - \frac{1}{2x^2}\delta^2 + \frac{1}{3x^3}\delta^3 - \frac{1}{4x^4}\delta^4

instead of a series... let's just look at the sequence...

\frac{1}{x}\delta, -\frac{1}{2x^2}\delta^2, \frac{1}{3x^3}\delta^3, -\frac{1}{4x^4}\delta^4

first term (n=1) is \frac{1}{x}\delta
second term(n=2) is -\frac{1}{2x^2}\delta^2

In general what is the nth term?

lol well I know that it would be your answer!
How come the -1 requires the ^{n+1} but the others are just ^{n}?
 
  • #55
Oblio said:
lol well I know that it would be your answer!
How come the -1 requires the ^{n+1} but the others are just ^{n}?

because the n = 1 term needs to have a plus sign...then the signs alternate... if I use n instead of n + 1... then the signs won't come out right... the n=1 term will come out with a - sign... ie: -(1/x)delta... and all the signs will be the opposite of what they need to be... test it out...
 
  • #56
Right, ok.
So, are n's basically placed where things count up?
 
  • #57
Oblio said:
Right, ok.
So, are n's basically placed where things count up?

Yeah.
 
  • #58
lol that's not so hard... I thought I had to make the n's count...
 

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