# Thread: Using elementary taylor series for taylor polynomial

1. ## Using elementary taylor series for taylor polynomial

Ok, so the problem is to use a sixth-degree Taylor polynomial centered at c for the function f to obtain the required approximation. Here's the info:

Function: $f(x)=x^2e^{-x}$
Center: $c=0$
Approximation: $f(1/4)$

Now, my main question is since there is an elementary Taylor series for $e^x$, which with a center at 0 is $\frac{e^x x^n}{n!}$, then the Taylor series for $e^{-x}$ must be $\frac{e^{-x} -x^n}{n!}$. So for $x^2e^{-x}$, could it be as simple as placing $x^2$ in front of the Taylor series for $e^{-x}$ since n is the value that is changing, so any term with only x can be treated as a constant?

2. Hello,

Originally Posted by Mathstud28
$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} \frac{x^{n}}{n!}$* $x^2$
Some extra \ and a missing one

Originally Posted by Mathstud28
$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (-1)^{n} \frac{x^{n}}{n!}$* $x^2$ and then plug in $\frac{1}{4}$
No need to put \ at the end of each portion. It's just here to start frac, sum, etc...

3. Ok, I'm lost, lol. So how did you arrive at that answer, so I know how to do it, and not just what the answer is?

4. ## Because

since $e^{x}\$ $\sum_{n=0}^{/infty}\frac{x^{n}}{n!}\$ then $e^{-x}/$≡]≡ $\sum_{n=0}^{/infty}\frac{(-x)^{n}}{n!}\$=]≡ $\sum_{n=0}^{/infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n}}{n!}\$ by splitting -x into -1*x and seperating the exponent...so then you just multiply that by x² to get $x^2e^{-x}\$= $x^2\$ $\sum_{n=0}^{/infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n}}{n!}\$ and to approximate f(1/4) you just imput 1/4 into ]= $x^2\$ $\sum_{n=0}^{/infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n}}{n!}\$

5. Originally Posted by Mathstud28
$x^2e^{-x}\$= $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n}}{n!}\$ $x^2\$

and if you put in $\sum_{n=0}^{10}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n}}{n!}\$ $x^2\$ you get.048675 and if you input $\frac{1}{4}\$ into $x^2e^{-x}\$ you get the same answer

and if you really wanted to be good you could distribute and get $x^2e^{-x}\$= $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n+2}}{n!}\$
Ok, so would it be mathematically correct if I distributed the $x^2$ into the $x^n$ like shown below to clean it up?

$x^2e^{-x}\$= $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{2n}}{n!}\$

6. ## No

Its a common mistake but $x^2x^{n}\$ does not equal $x^{2n}\$ it equals $x^{n+2}\$... $x^{2n}\$= $(x^{n})^2\$

7. Originally Posted by Mathstud28
Its a common mistake but $x^2x^{n}\$ does not equal $x^{2n}\$ it equals $x^{n+2}\$... $x^{2n}\$= $(x^{n})^2\$
Ah that's right, sheesh I'm forgetting my simple exponent rules.

Ok, here we go.

$x^2e^{-x}\$= $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}\frac{x^{n+2}}{n!}\$

$S1 (x) = x^2 - x^3$

$S2 (x) = x^2 - x^3 + \frac{x^4}{2!}$

$S3 (x) = x^2 - x^3 + \frac{x^4}{2!} - \frac{x^5}{3!}$

$S4 (x) = x^2 - x^3 + \frac{x^4}{2!} - \frac{x^5}{3!} + \frac{x^6}{4!}$

$S5 (x) = x^2 - x^3 + \frac{x^4}{2!} - \frac{x^5}{3!} + \frac{x^6}{4!} - \frac{x^7}{5!}$

$S6 (x) = x^2 - x^3 + \frac{x^4}{2!} - \frac{x^5}{3!} + \frac{x^6}{4!} - \frac{x^7}{5!} + \frac{x^8}{6!}$

Now then, $S6 (1/4) = 0.0487$ approximately....look about right?

8. ## If you look at my post

I actually not only showed that it is .047 but I also showed the $x^2\$ distributed through the Summation is $x^{n+2}\$ haha maybe you should read posts more carefully haha...but yes you are completely right good job!

9. Originally Posted by Mathstud28
I actually not only showed that it is .047 but I also showed the $x^2\$ distributed through the Summation is $x^{n+2}\$ haha maybe you should read posts more carefully haha...but yes you are completely right good job!
I could have sworn you did, actually, but I scrolled up through the thread before I did submit that post and all I saw was a slew of syntax error posts and one that said "disregard this" which could have had that post before you edited it out. Easy tiger. :P thanks though....my teacher didn't teach us Taylor polynomials, just decided to hold us responsible for them, hence the question in the first place.

10. ## O no its fine

My teacher never taught me either...then again I am sixteen lol....hooray for independent study!