What is the correct method for composing Taylor series at a non-zero point?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on efficiently composing Taylor series at non-zero points, specifically for the function \( x^{1/(1-x)} \) expanded at 1. The user successfully applies the Taylor series for Log and Exp functions but encounters discrepancies when substituting values, resulting in an incorrect factor of \( e^{-1} \). The key conclusion is that meaningful composition of Taylor series requires the expansion point of the first series to align with the limiting value of the second series at its expansion point, as confirmed by Mathematica.

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in general I'm trying to figure out a way to work with taylor series more efficiently. this means i want to be able to write down the taylor series of a complicated function just by knowing the taylor series(es?) of the component functions. I've figured out how to do products and quotients pretty well but I'm having trouble with compositions, specifically at points other than 0. without further ado:

i'd like to find the taylor series at 1 of x^{1/(1-x)}

according to my understanding what i'll need (all series expanded at 1):

Log(x)=(x-1)-\frac{1}{2}(x-1)^2+\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^3+O((x-1)^4)
Exp(x)=e(1+(x-1)+\frac{1}{2}(x-1)^2+\frac{1}{6}(x-1)^3 +O((x-1)^4)

hence

x^{1/(1-x)}=Exp(\frac{Log(x)}{1-x})

=Exp(\frac{(x-1)-\frac{1}{2}(x-1)^2+\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^3+O((x-1)^4)}{1-x})

=Exp(-1(1-\frac{1}{2}(x-1)+\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^2+O((x-1)^3)))

=Exp(-1+\frac{1}{2}(x-1)-\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^2+O((x-1)^3)))

=e^{-1}Exp(\frac{1}{2}(x-1)-\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^2+O((x-1)^3)))

then i make the replacement x \rightarrow (\frac{1}{2}(x-1)-\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^2+O((x-1)^3)) in the expansion for Exp(x) at 1 and i get the wrong answer. the part i don't understand is that if i make the replacement (x-1)\rightarrow (\frac{1}{2}(x-1)-\frac{1}{3}(x-1)^2+O((x-1)^3)) I'm an e^{-1} off from the right answer.

also if i try do this same exact thing, composing taylor series for (x+1)^{-1/x} but taylor expanding at zero (which should also give me the taylor series for x^{1/(1-x)} at 1 right?) i do get the right answer.

so what gives? my feeling is I'm missing something very blatantly obvious.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
mathematica saves the day:

Two series can only meaningfully be composed when the point about which the first series is expanded corresponds to the limiting value of the second series at its expansion point.
 

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