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Multiple Choice
Approximate to four decimal places using the third-degree Taylor polynomial for .
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Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Recall the general formula for the Taylor polynomial of a function f(x) centered at a point a. The nth-degree Taylor polynomial is given by: T_n(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x-a) + f''(a)(x-a)^2/2! + f'''(a)(x-a)^3/3! + ... up to the nth derivative.
Step 2: Identify the function f(x) = ln(x) and the center a = 1. Compute the derivatives of f(x) at x = 1. For f(x) = ln(x): f'(x) = 1/x, f''(x) = -1/x^2, and f'''(x) = 2/x^3. Evaluate these derivatives at x = 1: f(1) = ln(1) = 0, f'(1) = 1, f''(1) = -1, and f'''(1) = 2.
Step 3: Write the third-degree Taylor polynomial for f(x) = ln(x) centered at a = 1 using the derivatives computed: T_3(x) = f(1) + f'(1)(x-1) + f''(1)(x-1)^2/2! + f'''(1)(x-1)^3/3!. Substitute the values: T_3(x) = 0 + 1(x-1) - (x-1)^2/2 + 2(x-1)^3/6.
Step 4: Simplify the polynomial: T_3(x) = (x-1) - (x-1)^2/2 + (x-1)^3/3. This is the third-degree Taylor polynomial for ln(x) centered at x = 1.
Step 5: Approximate ln(1.5) by substituting x = 1.5 into the Taylor polynomial T_3(x). Compute each term: (1.5-1), (1.5-1)^2/2, and (1.5-1)^3/3. Add these terms together to get the approximation for ln(1.5) to four decimal places.