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➗calculus ii review

Taylor Series Expansion Formula

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The Taylor series expansion formula is a mathematical tool used to represent a function as an infinite series of terms, where each term is a derivative of the function evaluated at a specific point. This formula allows for the approximation of a function using a polynomial expression, which can be particularly useful when the original function is difficult to work with or evaluate directly.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Taylor series expansion formula is used to approximate a function near a specific point, known as the expansion point.
  2. The formula includes the function value at the expansion point, as well as the derivatives of the function evaluated at that point.
  3. The higher the order of the derivatives included in the expansion, the more accurate the approximation of the function will be near the expansion point.
  4. Taylor series expansions are particularly useful for functions that are difficult to evaluate or integrate directly, such as trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
  5. The convergence of a Taylor series expansion is determined by the behavior of the function and the expansion point, and is governed by the Radius of Convergence.

Review Questions

  • Explain the purpose and key components of the Taylor series expansion formula.
    • The Taylor series expansion formula is used to approximate a function near a specific point, known as the expansion point. The formula includes the function value at the expansion point, as well as the derivatives of the function evaluated at that point. The higher the order of the derivatives included in the expansion, the more accurate the approximation of the function will be near the expansion point. The key components of the formula are the function value, the derivatives, and the expansion point.
  • Describe the relationship between the Taylor series expansion formula and the Maclaurin series.
    • The Maclaurin series is a special case of the Taylor series expansion formula, where the expansion is centered at the origin (x = 0). This means that the Maclaurin series only requires the evaluation of the function and its derivatives at the point x = 0, whereas the Taylor series can be centered at any point. Both the Taylor series and Maclaurin series are used to approximate functions using polynomial expressions, but the Maclaurin series is a more specialized case of the general Taylor series expansion formula.
  • Analyze the importance of the convergence properties of the Taylor series expansion formula and how they impact its practical applications.
    • The convergence of a Taylor series expansion is crucial to its practical applications, as it determines the range of values for the independent variable over which the series accurately approximates the original function. The convergence is governed by the Radius of Convergence, which is determined by the behavior of the function and the expansion point. If the series converges, it can be used to approximate the function within the Radius of Convergence, which is particularly useful for functions that are difficult to evaluate or integrate directly. However, if the series diverges, the approximation will not be valid, limiting the practical applications of the Taylor series expansion formula.