Ch. 11 - Power Series

Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition

Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook

Briggs 3rd Edition

Ch. 11 - Power Series

Problem 11.1.65a

Chapter 11, Problem 11.1.65a

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.

a. Only even powers of x appear in the Taylor polynomials for f(x)=e⁻²ˣ centered at 0.

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Recall that the Taylor polynomial of a function \(f(x)\) centered at 0 (Maclaurin series) is given by the sum \(\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{f^{(n)}(0)}{n!} x^n\), where \(f^{(n)}(0)\) is the \(n\)-th derivative of \(f\) evaluated at 0.

Consider the function \(f(x) = e^{-2x}\). Its Maclaurin series expansion can be found by substituting \(-2x\) into the exponential series \(e^t = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{t^n}{n!}\), giving \(e^{-2x} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-2x)^n}{n!} = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-2)^n}{n!} x^n\).

Notice that the series contains terms for all powers of \(x\), both even and odd, because \(n\) runs over all nonnegative integers and the coefficient \(\frac{(-2)^n}{n!}\) is nonzero for every \(n\).

Since the Taylor polynomial includes terms with odd powers of \(x\) (like \(x^1\), \(x^3\), etc.) with nonzero coefficients, it is not true that only even powers of \(x\) appear in the Taylor polynomials for \(f(x) = e^{-2x}\) centered at 0.

Therefore, the statement is false, and a counterexample is the first-degree term in the expansion, which is \(\frac{(-2)^1}{1!} x = -2x\), an odd power term.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Taylor Series Expansion

A Taylor series represents a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the function's derivatives at a single point. For a function f(x) centered at 0, the series is f(x) = Σ (f⁽ⁿ⁾(0)/n!) xⁿ, where n is a non-negative integer. Understanding how to find these derivatives and form the series is essential to analyze the polynomial terms.

Even and Odd Powers in Series

The presence of only even or odd powers in a Taylor series depends on the function's symmetry. Even functions satisfy f(-x) = f(x) and have Taylor expansions with only even powers, while odd functions satisfy f(-x) = -f(x) and have only odd powers. Recognizing the function's parity helps predict the powers appearing in its series.

Exponential Function and Its Derivatives

The exponential function e^u, where u is a function of x, has derivatives that follow a predictable pattern. For f(x) = e^{-2x}, each derivative involves powers of -2 and e^{-2x}. Evaluating these at 0 helps determine the coefficients in the Taylor series and whether odd or even powers appear.

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a. Expand the integrand in a Taylor series centered at 0.

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Textbook Question

Probability: sudden−death playoff Teams A and B go into suddendeath overtime after playing to a tie. The teams alternate possession of the ball, and the first team to score wins. Assume each team has a 1/6 chance of scoring when it has the ball, and Team A has the ball first.

a. The probability that Team A ultimately wins is ∑ₖ₌₀∞ (1/6)(5/6)²ᵏ. Evaluate this series.

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Textbook Question

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a. Find the first four nonzero terms of the binomial series centered at 0 for the given function.

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Textbook Question

Taylor series and interval of convergence

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{Use of Tech} Fresnel integrals The theory of optics gives rise to the two Fresnel integrals

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Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.a. Only even powers of x appear in the Taylor polynomials for f(x)=e⁻²ˣ centered at 0.

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Key Concepts

Taylor Series Expansion

Even and Odd Powers in Series

Exponential Function and Its Derivatives

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.

a. Only even powers of x appear in the Taylor polynomials for f(x)=e⁻²ˣ centered at 0.