0:00 / 0:00

Representing Functions as Power Series

We can rewrite certain functions as power series.

Recall
Geometric Series: n=0arn=a1r{\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty}ar^n=\frac{a}{1-r} when r<1|r|<1

Rewriting Functions as Power Series

We can rewrite 11u(x)\frac{1}{1-u\left(x\right)} as n=0[u(x)]n{\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty} \left[u\left(x\right)\right]^nwhen u(x)<1|u(x)|<1

*Sometimes we'll need to use partial fraction decomposition to rewrite our function into geometric series form

Practice: Power Series Representation

Find a power series representation of f(x)=1x2+4f(x)=\frac{1}{x^2+4} and determine the radius of convergece.

Practice: Power Series Representation

Find a power series represetnation of f(x)=2x11x2f(x)=\frac{2x-1}{1-x^2} and determine the radius of convergece.

Practice Question

Find a power series representation of f(x)=7x2+x12f\left(x\right)=\frac{7}{x^2+x-12} and determine the radius of convergence.

0:00 / 0:00

Differentiation and Integration of Power Series

If the radius of convergence of a power seires is R>0R>0, we can differentiate and integrate the terms in the power series
f(x)=n=0cn(xa)n=c0+c1(xa)+c2(xa)2+c3(xa)3+...f\left(x\right)= {\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty} c_n\left(x-a\right)^n=c_0+c_1\left(x-a\right)+c_2\left(x-a\right)^2+c_3\left(x-a\right)^3+...


Differentiate

[n=0cn(xa)n]=n=1n cn(xa)n1\left[{\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty} c_n\left(x-a\right)^n\right]' = {\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty} n\ c_n\left(x-a\right)^{n-1}

Integrate

n=0cn(xa)ndx=C+n=0cnn+1(xa)n+1{\displaystyle \int}{\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty}c_n\left(x-a\right)^ndx= C+{\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^\infty}\frac{c_n}{n+1}\left(x-a\right)^{n+1}

*The radius of convergence will remain the same R.

When will we need to do this?

If f(x)f(x) can't be rewritten in geometric series form, but f(x)f'(x) can.
1. Differentiate the function
2. Write out the power series representation using the new geometric series forms
3. Integrate this new power series to get the power series for f(x)f(x)


If f(x)f(x) can't be rewritten in geometric series form, but f(x) dx{\displaystyle \int}f(x) \ dx can.
1. Integrate the function
2. Write out the power series representation using the new geometric series forms
3. Differentiate this new power series to get the power series for f(x)f(x)


Practice: Power Series Representation

Find a power series represetnation of f(x)=1(1x)3f(x)=\frac{1}{\left(1-x\right)^3} and determine the radius of convergence.

Practice: Power Series Representation

Find a power series represenetation of f(x)=ln(1+x2)f\left(x\right)=\ln\left(1+x^2\right) and determine the radius of convergene.

Practice: Power Series Representation

Find a power series represetnation of f(x)=x arctanx2f(x)=x\ \arctan x^2 and determine the radius of convergece.
Extra Practice