# Math Help - Taylor expansion

1. ## Taylor expansion

Find the first three nonzero terms of the Taylor Expansion for the given function and given value of $a$.

$tan\;x\;\;\;\;\; \left(a = \frac{\pi}{4}\right)$

2. Originally Posted by Socrates
Find the first three nonzero terms of the Taylor Expansion for the given function and given value of $a$.

$tan\;x\;\;\;\;\; \left(a = \frac{\pi}{4}\right)$
if you mean what is the taylor expansion for tan(x) then evaluate it at a...well the one maclaurin expansion for three is $x+\frac{x^3}{3}+\frac{2x^5}{15}$

3. Well for example: $1 + 2(x - \frac{1}{4}\;\pi) + 2(x - \frac{1}{4}\;\pi)^2 + ...$ is the answer in the book.

4. ## O....

Originally Posted by Socrates
Well for example: $1 + 2(x - \frac{1}{4}\;\pi) + 2(x - \frac{1}{4}\;\pi)^2 + ...$ is the answer in the book.
You wanted a taylor expansion CENTERED around $\frac{\pi}{4}$...haha ok thats different...here is what you do..use this $f(c)+f'(c)(x-c)+\frac{f''(c)(x-c)^2}{2!}$

5. Yea that makes sense now. Thanks.

6. ## Yeah

Originally Posted by Socrates
Yea that makes sense now. Thanks.
sure anytime...
Mathstud