For the function f(x) = cos(x), find (i) linear and quadratic approximations, and (ii) Maclaurin’s series expansion… [Full question continued]

Part a) Approximations and Maclaurin Series of f(x) = cos(x)

i) Linear and Quadratic Approximations

We are given: f(x) = cos(x)

To find linear and quadratic approximations, we use the Taylor series around x = 0 (Maclaurin series).

Step 1: Derivatives of cos(x)

  • f(x) = cos(x)
  • f'(x) = -sin(x)
  • f''(x) = -cos(x)
  • f'''(x) = sin(x)

At x = 0:

  • f(0) = 1
  • f'(0) = 0
  • f''(0) = -1

Linear Approximation:

L(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x = 1 + 0 = 1

Quadratic Approximation:

Q(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + (f''(0)/2!)x²

= 1 + 0 − (1/2)x² = 1 − x²/2

Therefore:

  • Linear Approximation: f(x) ≈ 1
  • Quadratic Approximation: f(x) ≈ 1 − x²/2

ii) Maclaurin Series Expansion of cos(x)

Maclaurin Series:

f(x) = cos(x) = Σn=0 [ (−1)n x2n / (2n)! ]

First few terms:

  • cos(x) ≈ 1 − x²/2! + x⁴/4! − x⁶/6! + ...
  • ≈ 1 − x²/2 + x⁴/24 − x⁶/720 + ...

Graphical Insight:

For small values of x (near 0), the quadratic approximation 1 − x²/2 gives a good estimate of cos(x). Higher-order terms improve the accuracy over a larger interval.

Part b) Jacobian of f(x, y) = (e2xy, 2x² + 3y²)

Step 1: Define the vector function

f(x, y) = (f₁(x, y), f₂(x, y)) = (e2xy, 2x² + 3y²)

Jacobian Matrix Jf:

The Jacobian matrix is:

Jf = [[∂f₁/∂x, ∂f₁/∂y], [∂f₂/∂x, ∂f₂/∂y]]

Compute Partial Derivatives:

  • ∂f₁/∂x = 2y * e2xy
  • ∂f₁/∂y = 2x * e2xy
  • ∂f₂/∂x = 4x
  • ∂f₂/∂y = 6y

Jacobian Matrix:

Jf(x, y) = [ [2y * e2xy, 2x * e2xy], [4x, 6y] ]

Evaluate at (x, y) = (2, 1):

  • e2*2*1 = e⁴ ≈ 54.598
  • ∂f₁/∂x = 2*1*54.598 = 109.196
  • ∂f₁/∂y = 2*2*54.598 = 218.392
  • ∂f₂/∂x = 4*2 = 8
  • ∂f₂/∂y = 6*1 = 6

Final Jacobian Matrix at (2, 1):

Jf(2,1) = [ [109.196, 218.392], [8, 6] ]

Conclusion

We derived the linear and quadratic approximations and the Maclaurin series expansion for cos(x), which are useful for estimating function values. We also computed the Jacobian matrix of a multivariable function and evaluated it at a specific point, which is essential in multivariable calculus and optimization. These tools are vital in economics, engineering, and applied mathematics for approximating and analyzing functions and models.

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