Chapter 6: Problem 154
Compute the Taylor series of each function around \(x=1\). $$ f(x)=\ln x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The Taylor series for \( \ln x \) around \( x=1 \) is: \( (x-1) - \frac{(x-1)^2}{2} + \frac{(x-1)^3}{3} - \cdots \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify Initial Terms of the Series
The Taylor series for a function \( f(x) \) about \( x = a \) is given by the formula: \[ f(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x-a) + \frac{f''(a)}{2!}(x-a)^2 + \frac{f'''(a)}{3!}(x-a)^3 + \cdots \]First, we need to identify the value of \( f(1) \) for \( f(x) = \ln x \). So, \( f(1) = \ln 1 = 0 \). Thus, the constant term of the series is 0.
02
Calculate the First Derivative
The first derivative of \( f(x) = \ln x \) is given by:\[ f'(x) = \frac{1}{x} \]Evaluating this at \( x = 1 \), we get:\[ f'(1) = \frac{1}{1} = 1 \]This gives us the first term after the constant, which is \( 1 \cdot (x-1) \).
03
Calculate the Second Derivative
The second derivative is found by differentiating \( f'(x) \):\[ f''(x) = -\frac{1}{x^2} \]Evaluating at \( x=1 \), we find:\[ f''(1) = -\frac{1}{1^2} = -1 \]This gives us the second term in the series: \(-\frac{1}{2!}(x-1)^2\).
04
Calculate the Third Derivative
The third derivative is:\[ f'''(x) = \frac{2}{x^3} \]Evaluating at \( x=1 \), we get:\[ f'''(1) = \frac{2}{1^3} = 2 \]This contributes the term \( \frac{2}{3!}(x-1)^3 \) to the series.
05
Generalize the Pattern
Observing the pattern for higher derivatives, each derivative can be expressed as:\[ f^{(n)}(x) = (-1)^{n-1} \frac{(n-1)!}{x^n} \]Evaluating each at \( x=1 \), we get:\[ f^{(n)}(1) = (-1)^{n-1} (n-1)! \]Contributing the term \( \frac{(x-1)^n}{n} \) to the series due to factorial simplifications.
06
Write the Taylor Series
Combining all the computed terms, the Taylor series for \( \ln x \) about \( x=1 \) is given by:\[ \ln x = (x-1) - \frac{(x-1)^2}{2} + \frac{(x-1)^3}{3} - \frac{(x-1)^4}{4} + \cdots \]This series continues with alternating signs and increasing powers of \( (x-1) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
ln x
The function \( \ln x \) is the natural logarithm of \( x \). It is defined only for positive values of \( x \). This function grows very slowly compared to polynomial functions, which means it can be really useful to express it as a series for approximation around a specific point, such as \( x = 1 \). When dealing with logarithmic functions, remember:
- \( \ln 1 = 0 \)
- \( \ln e = 1 \)
derivatives
Derivatives play a crucial role in constructing Taylor series. They give us the rate at which functions change, allowing us to capture how the function behaves close to a certain point. For \( \ln x \), the first few derivatives are:
- \( f'(x) = \frac{1}{x} \)
- \( f''(x) = -\frac{1}{x^2} \)
- \( f'''(x) = \frac{2}{x^3} \)
- \( f^{(n)}(x) = (-1)^{n-1} \frac{(n-1)!}{x^n} \)
function expansion
Function expansion involves rewriting a function into an infinite sum of terms. Each term is based on the function's derivatives and powers of \( (x - a) \). For \( \ln x \) expanded about \( x=1 \), function expansion uses derivatives evaluated at \( x=1 \), leading to the following terms:
- \( f(1) = 0 \)
- \( f'(1) = 1 \cdot (x-1) \)
- \( f''(1) = -\frac{1}{2!}(x-1)^2 \)
- \( f'''(1) = \frac{2}{3!}(x-1)^3 \)
Maclaurin series
The Maclaurin series is a special case of the Taylor series where it is expanded around \( x = 0 \). While our original problem deals with a Taylor series expanded around \( x=1 \), the Maclaurin series is similarly useful because it simplifies function representation when \( x \) is near zero. For \( \ln x \), the series cannot directly be calculated at \( x=0 \) due to its undefined nature. Instead, we adapt the Taylor series approach for non-zero values. The methodology remains similar:
- Calculate the function value at a specific point
- Use successive derivatives to find coefficients
- Use the expansion principle of adding powers of \( (x - a) \)