Chapter 9: Problem 27
(a) Use the Maclaurin series for \(1 /(1-x)\) to find the Maclaurin series for $$f(x)=\frac{x}{1-x^{2}}$$ (b) Use the Maclaurin series obtained in part (a) to find \(f^{(5)}(0)\) and \(f^{(6)}(0)\). (c) What can you say about the value of \(f^{(n)}(0) ?\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
(a) \(f(x) = x + x^3 + x^5 + \cdots\). (b) \(f^{(5)}(0) = 120\), \(f^{(6)}(0) = 0\). (c) \(f^{(n)}(0) = 0\) for even \(n\), \(n!\) for odd \(n\).
Step by step solution
01
Recall the Maclaurin series for \(\frac{1}{1-x}\)
The Maclaurin series expansion for \(\frac{1}{1-x}\) is given by:\[\frac{1}{1-x} = 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + \cdots = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n\]
02
Substitute \(x^2\) for \(x\) in the series
Since we have \(\frac{1}{1-x^2}\) in \(f(x)\), we substitute \(x^2\) for \(x\) in the Maclaurin series of \(\frac{1}{1-x}\):\[\frac{1}{1-x^2} = 1 + x^2 + x^4 + x^6 + \cdots = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^{2n}.\]
03
Multiply the series by \(x\) to find \(f(x)\)
Given \(f(x) = \frac{x}{1-x^2}\), multiply the series from Step 2 by \(x\):\[f(x) = x(1 + x^2 + x^4 + x^6 + \cdots) = x + x^3 + x^5 + x^7 + \cdots = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^{2n+1}.\]
04
Identify coefficients for derivatives
The coefficients in the series \(x + x^3 + x^5 + x^7 + \cdots\) represent the values of the derivatives at \(x=0\). Specifically, the coefficient of \(x^n\) corresponds to \(\frac{f^{(n)}(0)}{n!}\).
05
Calculate \(f^{(5)}(0)\) and \(f^{(6)}(0)\)
In the series, the coefficient of \(x^5\) is 1, so the fifth derivative \(f^{(5)}(0)\) is determined by \(\frac{f^{(5)}(0)}{5!} = 1\), thus \(f^{(5)}(0) = 5! = 120\).The coefficient of \(x^6\) is 0, as \(x^6\) does not appear in the series, thus \(f^{(6)}(0) = 0\).
06
Analyze the derivative pattern \(f^{(n)}(0)\)
From the series, observe that non-zero coefficients occur only at odd powers of \(x\). Thus, \(f^{(n)}(0)\) is zero for even \(n\) and \(n!\) for odd \(n\) when \(n = 2m+1\), and the coefficient of \(x^{2m+1}\) is 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivatives at Zero
Derivatives at zero play a crucial role in finding the Maclaurin series of a function. The Maclaurin series lets us express functions as a power series centered at zero. This involves taking derivatives at zero. For a function \( f(x) \), its Maclaurin series is:
- \( f(x) = f(0) + \frac{f'(0)}{1!}x + \frac{f''(0)}{2!}x^2 + \cdots \)
Power Series
A power series is a representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms involving powers of the variable. The Maclaurin series is a particular type of power series centered at zero. For example, the power series for \( \frac{1}{1-x} \) is given by:
The Maclaurin series trick of substituting variables (such as replacing \( x \) with \( x^2 \) in this case) allows us to find power series for more complex functions.
- \( \frac{1}{1-x} = 1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + \cdots \)
- General form: \( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^n \)
The Maclaurin series trick of substituting variables (such as replacing \( x \) with \( x^2 \) in this case) allows us to find power series for more complex functions.
Function Expansion
Function expansion refers to expressing a function as a sum of simpler terms, most commonly using the Maclaurin series. In our example, the function \( f(x) = \frac{x}{1-x^2} \) was expressed as an infinite series by expanding the denominator's series:
- Start with \( \frac{1}{1-x^2} = 1 + x^2 + x^4 + \cdots \)
- Multiply by \( x \) to find \( f(x) = x + x^3 + x^5 + \cdots \)
Higher-Order Derivatives
Higher-order derivatives refer to the successive derivatives of a function, beyond the first derivative. They are essential in understanding the curvature and behavior within the vicinity of a point, specifically at zero for Maclaurin series.
For the function \( f(x) = \frac{x}{1-x^2} \), the pattern of higher-order derivatives becomes clear:
For the function \( f(x) = \frac{x}{1-x^2} \), the pattern of higher-order derivatives becomes clear:
- Odd derivatives \( (f^{(5)}(0) = 120) \) take values based on factorials due to presence in the series.
- Even derivatives \( f^{(6)}(0) = 0 \) are zero because their corresponding coefficients are absent in the odd series.