f(x) =
f(0)+xf'(0)+\frac{x^2}{2!}f''(0)+\frac{x^3}{3!}f^{(3)}(0)+...+\frac{x^r}{r!}f^{(r)}(0)+...+\frac{x^n}{n!}f^{(n)}(0)
Summary/Background
The power series is \sin x = \displaystyle
\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!}x^{2n+1}.
The graphs shows approximations to \sin x for n = 0, 1, 2 and 3.
In mathematics, the Taylor series is a representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the values of its derivatives at a single point. It may be regarded as the limit of the Taylor polynomials. Taylor series are named in honour of English mathematician Brook Taylor. If the series uses the derivatives at zero, the series is also called a Maclaurin series, named after Scottish mathematician Colin Maclaurin (February 1698 – 14 June 1746).
Maclaurin was a Scottish mathematican who published the first systematic exposition of Newton's methods, written as a reply to Berkeley's attack on the calculus for its lack of rigorous foundations.
Software/Applets used on this page
Glossary
calculus
the study of change; a major branch of mathematics that includes the study of limits, derivatives, rates of change, gradient, integrals, area, summation, and infinite series. Historically, it has been referred to as "the calculus of infinitesimals", or "infinitesimal calculus".
There are widespread applications in science, economics, and engineering.
There are widespread applications in science, economics, and engineering.
function
A rule that connects one value in one set with one and only one value in another set.
limit
the value that a function f(x) approaches as the variable x approaches a value such as 0 or infinity
maclaurin series
a representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the values of its derivatives at zero
power series
a series whose terms form a power sequence, often obtained from Maclaurin or Taylor series
series
the sum of terms in a sequence
taylor series
a representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the values of its derivatives at a single point
union
The union of two sets A and B is the set containing all the elements of A and B.
This question appears in the following syllabi:
| Syllabus | Module | Section | Topic | Exam Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus BC (USA) | 5 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | FP3 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| AQA A2 Further Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Further Sequences and Series | Further Maclaurin Series | - |
| AQA AS Further Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Sequences, Series and Proof | Maclaurin Series | - |
| AQA AS/A2 Further Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Sequences, Series and Proof | Maclaurin Series | - |
| CCEA A-Level (NI) | FP2 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | FP2 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| Edexcel A2 Further Maths 2017 | Core Pure Maths | Further Series | Maclaurin Series | - |
| Edexcel AS/A2 Further Maths 2017 | Core Pure Maths | Further Series | Maclaurin Series | - |
| I.B. Higher Level | 9 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| Methods (UK) | M10 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | FP2 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| OCR A2 Further Maths 2017 | Pure Core | Calculus | Maclaurin Series | - |
| OCR MEI A2 Further Maths 2017 | Core Pure B | Series | Maclaurin Series | - |
| OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | FP2 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| Scottish Advanced Highers | M3 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| Scottish (Highers + Advanced) | AM3 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| Universal (all site questions) | M | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |
| WJEC A-Level (Wales) | FP3 | Maclaurin and Taylor Series | Maclaurin series | - |