# Math Help - estimating error Taylor polynomials

1. ## estimating error Taylor polynomials

I have been asked to do the following:
Suppose that f is a function with the property that | $f^n(x)$| $\leq$3 for all n and for all x on [-1,1].
a. Estimate the error if the Taylor polynomial $p_{n}$(x) (in powers of x) with n=4 is used to approximate f( $\frac{1}{2}$).
b. Find the least positive integer n such that $p_{n}$(x) (in powers of x) will approximate f on [-1,1] to within .001.

I don't know where to start on this problem. I have no f(x) to work with so what do I do?

2. ## Re: estimating error Taylor polynomials

Use $f(x)=p_4(x)+\dfrac{f^{(5)}(\xi)}{5!}x^5$ where $\xi$ is between $0$ and $x$ .

3. ## Re: estimating error Taylor polynomials

Originally Posted by FernandoRevilla
Use $f(x)=p_4(x)+\dfrac{f^{(5)}(\xi)}{5!}x^5$ where $\xi$ is between $0$ and $x$ .
Do I substitute $\dfrac{1}{2}$ in for x? If so, I end up with $f(x)=p_4(\dfrac{1}{2})+\dfrac{f^{(5)}(\xi)}{5!} *(\dfrac{1}{2})^5$ .
Or do I substitute $\dfrac{1}{2}$ in for $\xi$? Which gives me $f(x)=p_4(x)+\dfrac{f^{(5)}(\dfrac{1}{2})}{5!} *x^5$ .

In either case, is it possible to get a number as a value for the error with the information I've been given?

4. ## Re: estimating error Taylor polynomials

$f(1/2)-p_4(1/2)=\dfrac{f^{(5)}(\xi)}{5!}(1/2)^5\Rightarrow |f(1/2)-p_4(1/2)|\leq (3/2^5)(1/5!)$ .

5. ## Re: estimating error Taylor polynomials

Originally Posted by FernandoRevilla
$f(1/2)-p_4(1/2)=\dfrac{f^{(5)}(\xi)}{5!}(1/2)^5\Rightarrow |f(1/2)-p_4(1/2)|\leq (3/2^5)(1/5!)$ .
The error for $\p_{4}$ is .0007813 and the error for $\p_{3}$ is .007813, so n must be equal to 4 to remain within .001.

Thank you.