Chapter 9: Problem 14
Find a formula for an arbitrary Taylor polynomial of \(f\). $$ f(x)=\cos x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The Taylor polynomial of \( \cos x \) at \( c=0 \) is \( T_n(x) = \sum_{k=0}^{\lfloor n/2 \rfloor} (-1)^k \frac{x^{2k}}{(2k)!} \).
Step by step solution
01
Introduction to Taylor Series
A Taylor series is a representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the values of its derivatives at a single point. The Taylor series of a function \(f(x)\) centered at \(c\) is given by: \[ f(x) = f(c) + f'(c)(x-c) + \frac{f''(c)}{2!}(x-c)^2 + \frac{f'''(c)}{3!}(x-c)^3 + \, \ldots \] For this problem, we aim to find the Taylor polynomial for \(f(x)=\cos x\) centered at \(c=0\). This is known as the Maclaurin series.
02
Compute the Derivatives
Start by computing the derivatives of \(f(x) = \cos x\) at \(c = 0\):- \( f(x) = \cos x \Rightarrow f(0) = \cos 0 = 1 \)- \( f'(x) = -\sin x \Rightarrow f'(0) = -\sin 0 = 0 \)- \( f''(x) = -\cos x \Rightarrow f''(0) = -\cos 0 = -1 \)- \( f'''(x) = \sin x \Rightarrow f'''(0) = \sin 0 = 0 \)- \( f^{(4)}(x) = \cos x \Rightarrow f^{(4)}(0) = \cos 0 = 1 \)These derivatives start to repeat every four terms.
03
Substitute Derivatives into the Taylor Series
Next, substitute these derivative values into the general Taylor series formula:\[ f(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{f''(0)}{2!}x^2 + \frac{f'''(0)}{3!}x^3 + \frac{f^{(4)}(0)}{4!}x^4 + \ldots \]Using the values:\[ \cos x = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^4}{4!} - \frac{x^6}{6!} + \cdots \]Thus, the general formula for the Taylor polynomial is:\[ T_n(x) = \sum_{k=0}^{\lfloor n/2 \rfloor} (-1)^k \frac{x^{2k}}{(2k)!} \]
04
Conclusion
The Taylor polynomial up to degree \(n\) of \(f(x) = \cos x\) is concluded to be:\[ T_n(x) = \sum_{k=0}^{\lfloor n/2 \rfloor} (-1)^k \frac{x^{2k}}{(2k)!} \] This series includes only the even-power terms due to the derivatives of \(cos(x)\) at zero.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Maclaurin Series
The Maclaurin series is a special kind of Taylor series that is centered at zero. It's a fantastic way to express complex functions using polynomial terms, making them easier to work with for approximations and calculations. When you hear Maclaurin, just remember: like other Taylor series but simpler because it starts from zero!
Here’s how it works:
In essence, each term involves a derivative evaluated at zero, providing a neat polynomial that approximates functions like trigonometry and exponential ones quite effectively!
Here’s how it works:
- Start with a function you want to approximate, like the cosine function.
- Find the derivatives of your function.
- Substitute these derivatives into the Maclaurin series formula.
In essence, each term involves a derivative evaluated at zero, providing a neat polynomial that approximates functions like trigonometry and exponential ones quite effectively!
Derivative
Derivatives are the backbone of calculus, telling us how a function changes when its input changes. For function calculations, especially when finding a Taylor or Maclaurin series, derivatives are crucial since each term in these series depends on the value of the function's derivatives at a particular point.
When calculating derivatives for the cosine function, you will observe a repeating pattern:
When calculating derivatives for the cosine function, you will observe a repeating pattern:
- The first derivative of \( \cos x \) is \( -\sin x \).
- The second derivative becomes \( -\cos x \).
- The third derivative results in \( \sin x \).
- The fourth derivative returns to \( \cos x \).
Cosine Function
The cosine function, \( \cos x \), is one of the fundamental trigonometric functions you'll encounter. It has a beautiful sinusoidal shape, oscillating between -1 and 1.
When expressed as a series like a Maclaurin series, it yields a series comprising only even-powered terms. This is because all the odd-power derivatives evaluated at zero are zero, leaving us with only even degrees. For example:
When expressed as a series like a Maclaurin series, it yields a series comprising only even-powered terms. This is because all the odd-power derivatives evaluated at zero are zero, leaving us with only even degrees. For example:
- The constant term is 1 because \( \cos(0) = 1 \).
- The term with \( x^2 \) is \( -\frac{x^2}{2!} \), representing the second derivative term.
- Continuing this pattern, the next significant term becomes \( \frac{x^4}{4!} \).