Chapter 10: Problem 8
Find the Taylor polynomials of degree \(n\) approximating the functions for \(x\) near \(0 .\) (Assume \(p\) is a constant.) $$\tan x, \quad n=3,4$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Both Taylor polynomials are \(x + \frac{x^3}{3}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Function
Taylor polynomials are used to approximate functions using derivatives. Here, we want to approximate the function \(\tan x\) near \(x = 0\) and up to degree \(n = 3\) and \(n = 4\).
02
Find Derivatives of Function
First, calculate the derivatives of \(\tan x\):- \(f(x) = \tan x\)- \(f'(x) = \sec^2 x\)- \(f''(x) = 2\sec^2 x \tan x\)- \(f'''(x) = 2(\sec^4 x + \sec^2 x \tan^2 x)\)- \(f''''(x) = 4\sec^4 x \tan x (\sec^2 x + 1)\)Evaluate each at \(x = 0\). We find:- \(f(0) = \tan(0) = 0\)- \(f'(0) = \sec^2(0) = 1\)- \(f''(0) = 0\)- \(f'''(0) = 2\)- \(f''''(0) = 0\)
03
Construct the Taylor Polynomial for n=3
Using the derivatives evaluated at \(x = 0\), we construct the third-degree Taylor polynomial:\[ P_3(x) = f(0) + f'(0) \frac{x}{1!} + f''(0) \frac{x^2}{2!} + f'''(0) \frac{x^3}{3!} = 0 + 1 \cdot x + 0 \cdot x^2 + \frac{2x^3}{6} \]Simplifying gives:\[ P_3(x) = x + \frac{x^3}{3} \]
04
Construct the Taylor Polynomial for n=4
Add the fourth derivative term to the polynomial:\[ P_4(x) = P_3(x) + f''''(0) \frac{x^4}{4!} = x + \frac{x^3}{3} + 0 \cdot \frac{x^4}{24} \]Thus, simplifying gives:\[ P_4(x) = x + \frac{x^3}{3} \]
05
Conclusion
Both the third and fourth-degree Taylor polynomials for \(\tan x\) at \(x = 0\) are \(P_3(x) = P_4(x) = x + \frac{x^3}{3}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Derivatives
Derivatives play a pivotal role when it comes to Taylor polynomials. A derivative represents the rate at which a function is changing at any given point. For a function like \(\tan x\), derivatives help us understand how the function behaves near a point, especially its slope and curvature.
- The first derivative \(f'(x)\) of \(\tan x\) is \(\sec^2 x\), which tells us how steep or flat the tangent line is at a point.
- The second derivative \(f''(x) = 2\sec^2 x \tan x\) gives us insight into the function's concavity — how it bends around a point.
- Higher-order derivatives, like \(f'''(x)\) and \(f''''(x)\), provide further detailing of the function's behavior.
Function Approximation with Taylor Polynomials
Taylor polynomials are a mathematical tool used for approximating functions. Imagine trying to replicate a curve with a series of straight lines and curves—that's essentially what a Taylor polynomial does!
- For \(\tan x\), the goal is to find a polynomial function that behaves like \(\tan x\) when \(x\) is close to \(0\).
- A Taylor polynomial of degree \(n\) incorporates derivatives of the function up to the \(n\)th order.
- For degree 3, represented as \(P_3(x)\), the polynomial is \(P_3(x) = x + \frac{x^3}{3}\), which is derived using the derivatives of \(\tan x\).
- The polynomial is a simpler function to work with and can provide good approximations over a small range of \(x\) values.
Trigonometric Functions in Taylor Series
Trigonometric functions frequently appear in Taylor series, showcasing their periodic nature through polynomial expressions.
- For \(\tan x\), Taylor series help in expressing it as `polynomial` terms based on its derivatives.
- At \(x = 0\), \(\tan(0) = 0\), meaning its Taylor series has a simple beginning, often starting off with \(x\) itself.
- The odd derivatives contribute to the polynomial terms, while even derivatives might reduce some terms to zero, simplifying the expression.