Math Problem Statement

Determine the first three nonzero terms in the Taylor polynomial approximation for the given initial value problem. 4x''+8tx=0 x(0)=1 x'(0)=0

Solution

To find the first three nonzero terms of the Taylor series solution for the initial value problem 4x+8tx=04x'' + 8tx = 0, with x(0)=1x(0) = 1 and x(0)=0x'(0) = 0, let's proceed step-by-step.


Step 1: Write the general Taylor series for x(t)x(t)

The Taylor series for x(t)x(t) is: x(t)=x(0)+x(0)t+x(0)2!t2+x(3)(0)3!t3+x(t) = x(0) + x'(0)t + \frac{x''(0)}{2!}t^2 + \frac{x^{(3)}(0)}{3!}t^3 + \cdots Given x(0)=1x(0) = 1 and x(0)=0x'(0) = 0, we already know: x(t)=1+0t+x(0)2t2+x(3)(0)6t3+x(t) = 1 + 0 \cdot t + \frac{x''(0)}{2}t^2 + \frac{x^{(3)}(0)}{6}t^3 + \cdots


Step 2: Compute x(0)x''(0) and higher derivatives

The given differential equation is: 4x+8tx=04x'' + 8tx = 0 Simplify: x=2txx'' = -2tx

(i) First derivative, x(t)x'(t):

From the problem, x(0)=0x'(0) = 0.

(ii) Second derivative, x(t)x''(t):

Using x=2txx'' = -2tx and substituting t=0t = 0 and x(0)=1x(0) = 1: x(0)=201=0x''(0) = -2 \cdot 0 \cdot 1 = 0

(iii) Third derivative, x(3)(t)x^{(3)}(t):

Differentiate x=2txx'' = -2tx with respect to tt: x=2x2txx''' = -2x - 2tx' Substitute t=0t = 0, x(0)=1x(0) = 1, and x(0)=0x'(0) = 0: x(0)=21200=2x'''(0) = -2 \cdot 1 - 2 \cdot 0 \cdot 0 = -2

(iv) Fourth derivative, x(4)(t)x^{(4)}(t):

Differentiate x=2x2txx''' = -2x - 2tx': x(4)=2x2(x+tx)x^{(4)} = -2x' - 2(x' + tx'') Substitute t=0t = 0, x(0)=1x(0) = 1, x(0)=0x'(0) = 0, and x(0)=0x''(0) = 0: x(4)(0)=202(0+0)=0x^{(4)}(0) = -2 \cdot 0 - 2(0 + 0) = 0


Step 3: Taylor series expansion

Now substitute the computed derivatives into the Taylor series: x(t)=x(0)+x(0)t+x(0)2!t2+x(3)(0)3!t3+x(4)(0)4!t4+x(t) = x(0) + x'(0)t + \frac{x''(0)}{2!}t^2 + \frac{x^{(3)}(0)}{3!}t^3 + \frac{x^{(4)}(0)}{4!}t^4 + \cdots Substitute x(0)=1x(0) = 1, x(0)=0x'(0) = 0, x(0)=0x''(0) = 0, and x(3)(0)=2x^{(3)}(0) = -2: x(t)=1+0t+02!t2+26t3+024t4+x(t) = 1 + 0 \cdot t + \frac{0}{2!}t^2 + \frac{-2}{6}t^3 + \frac{0}{24}t^4 + \cdots Simplify: x(t)=113t3+x(t) = 1 - \frac{1}{3}t^3 + \cdots


Final Answer:

The first three nonzero terms of the Taylor series approximation are: x(t)113t3x(t) \approx 1 - \frac{1}{3}t^3


Questions:

  1. Would you like to compute additional terms in the Taylor series?
  2. Do you need help visualizing the Taylor polynomial or the original solution?
  3. Should we discuss the convergence of this series?
  4. Would you like to verify the solution using an alternate method?
  5. Do you need an explanation on deriving higher-order derivatives for Taylor series?

Tip: Always check initial conditions and substitute step-by-step when working with Taylor series expansions for differential equations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Differential Equations
Taylor Series
Polynomial Approximation

Formulas

Taylor series expansion: x(t) = x(0) + x'(0)t + (x''(0)/2!)t^2 + (x'''(0)/3!)t^3 + ...
Differential equation simplification: x'' = -2tx

Theorems

Taylor Series Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate (Calculus II or III)