Maclaurin Series

Find and use Maclaurin series expansions for IB Maths HL.

Maclaurin series express functions as infinite polynomials. They're tested in IB Math AA HL.

The Formula

f(x)=f(0)+f(0)x+f(0)2!x2+f(0)3!x3+...f(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{f''(0)}{2!}x^2 + \frac{f'''(0)}{3!}x^3 + ...

Standard Series (Data Booklet)

ex=1+x+x22!+x33!+...e^x = 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^3}{3!} + ...

sinx=xx33!+x55!...\sin x = x - \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^5}{5!} - ...

cosx=1x22!+x44!...\cos x = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^4}{4!} - ...

ln(1+x)=xx22+x33...\ln(1+x) = x - \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^3}{3} - ... (x1|x| \leq 1)

(1+x)n=1+nx+n(n1)2!x2+...(1+x)^n = 1 + nx + \frac{n(n-1)}{2!}x^2 + ... (x<1|x| < 1)

Worked Example

Find the Maclaurin series for f(x)=e2xf(x) = e^{2x} up to x3x^3.

f(0)=1f(0) = 1, f(0)=2f'(0) = 2, f(0)=4f''(0) = 4, f(0)=8f'''(0) = 8.

e2x1+2x+2x2+4x33e^{2x} \approx 1 + 2x + 2x^2 + \frac{4x^3}{3}.

Or substitute 2x2x into exe^x series: 1+2x+(2x)22+(2x)36=1+2x+2x2+4x331 + 2x + \frac{(2x)^2}{2} + \frac{(2x)^3}{6} = 1 + 2x + 2x^2 + \frac{4x^3}{3}.

Practice Problems

    1. Find the Maclaurin series for 11x\frac{1}{1-x} up to x4x^4.
    1. Use the series for sinx\sin x to approximate sin(0.1)\sin(0.1).

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Key Takeaways

  • Standard series are in the data booklet.

  • Substitute into known series when possible.

  • State the range of validity.

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