Chapter 9: Problem 20
Find the Maclaurin polynomial of degree \(n\) for the function. $$ f(x)=x^{2} e^{-x}, \quad n=4 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The Maclaurin polynomial of degree 4 for the function \(f(x) = x^{2}e^{-x}\) is \(P_{4}(x) = -x^{2} + \frac{1}{2}\cdot x^{3} - \frac{1}{6}\cdot x^{4}\).
Step by step solution
01
Define the function
The given function is \(f(x) = x^{2}e^{-x}\) and we need to find its Maclaurin polynomial of degree 4.
02
Find the \(n^{th}\) derivative for \(n=0,1,2,3,4\)
The consecutive derivatives at \(x=0\) can be derived as: \n - \(f^{(0)}(0) = 0\)\n - \(f^{(1)}(0) = 0\)\n - \(f^{(2)}(0) = -2\)\n - \(f^{(3)}(0) = 6\)\n - \(f^{(4)}(0) = -8\) This requires using the product and chain rules to differentiate the function, and then evaluating the derivatives at \(x = 0\).
03
Construct the Maclaurin polynomial
The Maclaurin polynomial of degree 4 can be constructed as follows based on Taylor series formula: \[P_{4}(x)=f^{(0)}(0)+f^{(1)}(0)\cdot x+ \frac{f^{(2)}(0)}{2!}\cdot x^{2}+\frac{f^{(3)}(0)}{3!}\cdot x^{3}+\frac{f^{(4)}(0)}{4!}\cdot x^{4}\] Substituting the values from step 2, we get: \[P_{4}(x) = -x^{2} + \frac{1}{2}\cdot x^{3} - \frac{1}{6}\cdot x^{4}\]
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Taylor series
The Taylor series is a fundamental concept used to approximate functions with polynomials. It expresses a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the function's derivatives at a single point. When this point is zero, it's called a Maclaurin series, which is a specific case of the Taylor series.
- Purpose: The Taylor series helps us approximate complex functions with simpler polynomial expressions. This is particularly useful in calculus and physics.
- Formula: The general formula for a Taylor series of a function \( f(x) \) centered at \( a \) is: \[ f(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x-a) + \frac{f''(a)}{2!}(x-a)^2 + \frac{f'''(a)}{3!}(x-a)^3 + \ldots\]
- Application to Maclaurin Polynomial: For a Maclaurin series, which is a Taylor series centered at 0, the formula simplifies to: \[ f(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{f''(0)}{2!}x^2 + \frac{f'''(0)}{3!}x^3 + \ldots\]
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding a derivative, which measures the rate at which a function's value changes as its input changes. For this Maclaurin series exercise, we need to differentiate the function multiple times.
- Basic Derivative: If you have a function \( f(x) = x^n \), its derivative is given by \[ f'(x) = n x^{n-1}\]
- Higher-order Derivatives: It's important to take derivatives multiple times to find the terms in a Taylor/Maclaurin series. For example, the second derivative \( f''(x) \) is the derivative of \( f'(x) \).
- Product Rule: Used when differentiating products of functions, such as \( x^2 e^{-x} \). The product rule states: \[ (uv)' = u'v + uv'\] where \( u \) and \( v \) are functions of \( x \).
Chain rule
The chain rule is a crucial differentiation technique used when dealing with composite functions, such as \( e^{-x} \) in this problem.
- Definition: The chain rule states that if a function \( y \) can be written as a composite function \( y = f(g(x)) \), then its derivative is: \[ \frac{dy}{dx} = f'(g(x)) \, g'(x)\]
- Application: For \( f(x) = x^2 e^{-x} \), treating \( e^{-x} \) as the inner function and \( x^2 \) as the outer function, the chain rule helps us find the derivatives.
- Step-by-Step: When applying the chain rule, differentiate the outer function, keeping the inner function unchanged, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
Polynomial construction
Polynomial construction involves creating a polynomial that approximates a given function, such as in the Maclaurin series. Once derivatives are calculated for a function, each successive term of the polynomial is added based on these derivatives.
- Process: After finding the necessary derivatives, they are plugged into the Taylor or Maclaurin formula.
- Example: Based on the derivatives found: \[ f^{(0)}(0) = 0, \quad f^{(1)}(0) = 0, \quad f^{(2)}(0) = -2, \quad f^{(3)}(0) = 6, \quad f^{(4)}(0) = -8\]The Maclaurin polynomial is expressed as: \[ P_{4}(x) = -x^2 + \frac{1}{2}x^3 - \frac{1}{6}x^4\]
- Result: This polynomial represents an approximation of the function \( f(x) = x^2 e^{-x} \) up to the fourth degree.