Chapter 3: Problem 85
Plot \(y_{1}=e^{x}\) and \(y_{2}=1+x+\frac{x^{2}}{2}+\frac{x^{3}}{6}+\frac{x^{4}}{24}\) in the same viewing screen. What do you notice?
Short Answer
Expert verified
The polynomial \( y_2 \) approximates \( y_1 = e^x \) well near \( x = 0 \) but deviates as \( x \) moves further from zero.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Functions
In this problem, we need to plot two functions, \( y_1 = e^x \) and \( y_2 = 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^3}{6} + \frac{x^4}{24} \). The first function, \( y_1 \), represents the exponential function. The second function, \( y_2 \), is a polynomial approximation of \( e^x \) using the first five terms of its Taylor series expansion at \( x = 0 \).
02
Plotting the Functions
To compare both functions, we plot them on the same set of axes. This involves choosing a range of \( x \) values, typically around -2 to 2, as both functions will show significant changes over this interval. Using graphing software or a graphing calculator, input both functions to visualize their behavior.
03
Analyzing the Plot
Upon plotting, you will notice that \( y_2 \), the polynomial, closely follows \( y_1 \), the exponential function, near \( x = 0 \), but deviates as \( x \) moves further away from zero. This reflects the accuracy of the Taylor series approximation: it is most precise near the expansion point \( x = 0 \).
04
Drawing Conclusions
The primary observation is that the polynomial \( y_2 \) closely resembles \( y_1 = e^x \) near \( x = 0 \) but deviates for larger \( |x| \) values. This illustrates the concept of Taylor series approximation, which is particularly effective near its expansion point.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Function
An exponential function is a mathematical expression in which a constant base is raised to a variable exponent. It is expressed in the form \( y = a^x \). One of the most common exponential functions is \( y = e^x \), where \( e \) is Euler's number, approximately equal to 2.71828. Exponential functions have distinct properties:
- The rate of growth (or decay) is proportional to their value, meaning they increase rapidly or decrease slowly.
- They have a constant multiplicative rate of change, making them useful for modeling phenomena like population growth, radioactive decay, and interest compounding.
- For \( e^x \), the graph is always increasing and never crosses the horizontal axis.
Polynomial Approximation
Polynomial approximation involves representing complex functions using simpler polynomial expressions. A common technique for this is the Taylor series, which expands functions into infinite sums of polynomials. The idea is to approximate a function like \( e^x \) using a finite number of terms.Here, \( y_2 = 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^3}{6} + \frac{x^4}{24} \) is a polynomial approximation of \( e^x \), derived from the Taylor series at \( x = 0 \). Each term in this series represents a degree of the polynomial:
- The zeroth term, \( 1 \), ensures the approximation starts at the function's value at \( x = 0 \).
- The first term, \( x \), accounts for the initial slope.
- Higher degree terms like \( \frac{x^2}{2} \), \( \frac{x^3}{6} \), and \( \frac{x^4}{24} \) fine-tune the curve to mirror the original function more closely near \( x = 0 \).
Graphing Functions
Graphing functions is essential for visually understanding the behavior and relationship between mathematical expressions. When graphing both \( y_1 = e^x \) and its polynomial approximation, \( y_2 \), key insights emerge:
- The plot for \( y_1 = e^x \) is smooth and continuously increases, maintaining its exponential nature.
- The polynomial approximation \( y_2 \) closely matches \( y_1 \) near \( x = 0 \), demonstrating how the Taylor series provides an accurate local representation.
- As \( x \) diverges from zero, \( y_2 \) begins to stray from the true exponential path, showing where the approximation becomes less reliable.