Use Taylor series to approximate a number.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on using the Taylor series to approximate the cube root of 1.06, specifically for the function f(x) = (1 + x)^(1/3). The user, Sabrina, correctly identifies the function and its first two derivatives, f'(x) and f''(x), but requires guidance on evaluating these derivatives at x = 0 to complete the approximation. The final approximation formula is f(x) ≈ f(0) + (f'(0)/1!)x + (f''(0)/2!)x², which is essential for finding the desired estimate.

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Sabricd
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Hello,
I need help with this problem. I need to find the first three terms of the Taylor series for the function f(x)= (1 + x)^(1/3) to get an estimate for 1.06^(1/3).

Hence I did:
f(x)= (1 + x)^(1/3)
f'(x)= (1/3)(1 + x)^(-2/3)
f''(x)= (-2/9)(1 + x)^(-5/3)
f(a) + f'(x)/1! * (x - a) + f"(a)/2! * (x - a)^2

Now, I'm kind of stuck...Could I please have a hint on how to finish the problem.
Thank you,
-Sabrina
 
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Your Taylor's series should have x terms in it. (You're really getting the Maclaurin series for your function, since you are expanding about x = 0.)

You still need to evaluate the function and its two derivatives at x = 0 in order to approximate f(.06).

f(x) \approx f(0) + \frac{f'(0)}{1!}x + \frac{f''(0)}{2!}x^2
 
Thank you so much Mark! :)
 

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