# Math Help - Taylor Series Problem

1. ## Taylor Series Problem

Use the formula for a taylor series of a function f at c to compute the first 3 non-sero terms and the general term of the Taylor series for f(x)=sin2x at c=pi/4. Then write the taylor series for f(x)=sin2x at c=pi/4.

Can someone explain to me how I go about solving this?

2. ## Re: Taylor Series Problem

A terms of the Taylor Series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{f^{(n)}(c)}{n!}(x-c)^n$ are those $\frac{f^{(n)}(c)}{n!}(x-c)^n$ that are being added.

The "general term" is $\frac{f^{(n)}(c)}{n!}(x-c)^n$, so say exactly what that is for this f and c, in terms of n.

The "first three terms" are:

$\frac{ f^{(0)} (c) }{ 0! } (x-c)^0 = f(c)$ (but numerically computed from f and c),

$\frac{ f^{(1)} (c) } { 1! } (x-c)^1 = f'(c)(x-c)$ (but numerically computed from f and c),

$\frac{ f^{(2)} (c) } {2!} (x-c)^2 = \frac{f''(c)}{2}(x-c)^2$ (but numerically computed from f and c).

However, those might not be the first three non-zero terms.

The answer wants those f and c references replaced with values as determined by what's given for f and c.

For instance, the first term is: $f(c) = \sin(2c) = \sin\left(2\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 1.$

The second term is: $f'(c)(x-c) = [2\cos(2c)](x-c) = \left[ 2\cos \left( 2 \left( \frac{\pi}{4} \right) \right) \right] \left( x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)$

$= \left[2\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\right] \left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right) = 0.$ (Notice that this is NOT a "non-zero term").

The 3rd term is: $\frac{f''(c)}{2}(x-c)^2 = \left[ \frac{-4\sin(2c)}{2} \right] (x-c)^2 = -2 \sin \left( 2 \left( \frac{\pi}{4} \right) \right) \left( x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2$

$= -2 \sin \left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2 = -2(1)\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2 = -2\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2.$

3. ## Re: Taylor Series Problem

Use the definition of the taylor series.Compute the derivatives of sin2x at pi/4 until you have 3 nonzero derivativs.Try to figure out the general form and write the general element of the series.

4. ## Re: Taylor Series Problem

Originally Posted by johnsomeone
A "term" of the Taylor Series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{f^{(n)}(c)}{n!}(x-c)^n$ are those $\frac{f^{(n)}(c)}{n!}(x-c)^n$ that are being added.

The "general term" is $\frac{f^{(n)}(c)}{n!}(x-c)^n$, so say exactly what that is for this f and c, in terms of n.

The "first three terms" are:

$\frac{ f^{(0)} (c) }{ 0! } (x-c)^0 = f(c)$ (but numerically computed from f and c),

$\frac{ f^{(1)} (c) } { 1! } (x-c)^1 = f'(c)(x-c)$ (but numerically computed from f and c),

$\frac{ f^{(2)} (c) } {2!} (x-c)^2 = \frac{f''(c)}{2}(x-c)^2$ (but numerically computed from f and c).

However, those might not be the first three non-zero terms.

The answer wants those f and c references replaced with values as determined by what's given for f and c.

For instance, the first term is: $f(c) = \sin(2c) = \sin\left(2\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 1.$

The second term is: $f'(c)(x-c) = [2\cos(2c)](x-c) = \left[ 2\cos \left( 2 \left( \frac{\pi}{4} \right) \right) \right] \left( x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)$

$= \left[2\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\right] \left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right) = 0.$

The 3rd term is: $\frac{f''(c)}{2}(x-c)^2 = \left[ \frac{-4\sin(2c)}{2} \right] (x-c)^2 = -2 \sin \left( 2 \left( \frac{\pi}{4} \right) \right) \left( x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2$

$= -2 \sin \left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) \left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2 = -2(1)\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2 = = -2\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4}\right)^2.$
When it says "non-zero terms" is it wanting (f^n(c)/n!)(x-c)^n when it doesn't equal 0 when you plug in f and c?

5. ## Re: Taylor Series Problem

Correct. It's the first 3 terms (starting with n=0), such that when you plug in for f and c, that the term isn't zero. I've already done the first two for you.

The first two non-zero terms are: $1 \text{ and } -2\left(x - \frac{\pi}{4} \right)^2.$

You now need only find the 3rd non-zero term.

6. ## Re: Taylor Series Problem

just the coefficient.(x-c)^n is clearly 0 at c.