5.

1 Series

Definition 5.1: (Series)

The sum of the terms in the sequence is called a series.

For example, suppose we have the sequence

The series we obtain from this is

and we write Sn for the sum of these n terms.

For example, let us consider the sequence of numbers

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . , n .

Then,

S1 = 1
S2 =1 + 2 =3
S3 =1 + 2 + 3 = 6
5.5 Taylor and the Maclaurin Series

If has a derivatives of all orders at then we

call the series as Taylor’s series for about
and is given b

or

In the special case where this series becomes the

Maclaurin series for and is given by
Example 5.17:

Obtain the Taylor series for f ( x) = 3x 2 − 6 x + 5 around

the point x = 1.

Ans: 2 + 3(x-1)2

Example 5.18:

Obtain Maclaurin series expansion for the first four

terms of e x and five terms of sin x . Hence, deduct that
Maclaurin series for e x sin x is given by

Example 5.19:

Use Taylor’s theorem to obtain a series expansion of

π
first five derivatives for cos  x +  . Hence find cos 620
 3 
correct to 4 dcp.

Ans: 0.4695
Example 5.20:

If y = ln cos x , show that

2
d2y  dy 
+ 1 +   =0
 dx 
2
dx

Hence, by differentiating the above expression several

times, obtain the Maclaurin’s series of y = ln cos x in the
ascending power of x up to the term containing x 4 .

5.5.1 Finding Limits with Taylor Series and

Maclaurin Series.

Example 5.21:

ex −1 − x
Find lim 2
. Ans: ½
x →0 x

Example 5.22:

x 2 + 2cos x − 2
lim 4
. Ans: 1/36
x →0 3x
5.5.2 Evaluating Definite Integrals with Taylor
Series and Maclaurin Series.

Example 5.23:

Use the first 6 terms of the Maclaurin series to

approximate the following definite integral.

a) Ans: 0.747

b) Ans: 0.440
 SSCE 1693

QUESTION 1 (5 MARKS)

By using the definition of hyperbolic functions, show that

√
sinh−1 (2x) = ln(2x + 4x2 + 1).

QUESTION 2 (5 MARKS)
dy
Find at x = 0 for
dx
ex−y + sinh(2x) + tan−1 x = 1.

QUESTION 3 (7 MARKS)

Solve −1
Z
esinh (x+3)
√ dx.
2x2 + 12x + 20

QUESTION 4 (7 MARKS)

Determine whether the following integral converges or diverges

Z 1
3
a) dx, (3 marks)
−∞ 4 − 2x
Z 2
x2
b) √ dx. (4 marks)
1 8 − x3

QUESTION 5 (10 MARKS)

Find the Maclaurin Series for y = cos x2 up to the term in x4 . (5 marks)

Hence,

cos x2
!
i. find lim , (2 marks)
x→0.5 x
Z 0.2
cos x2
ii. approximate the integral dx. (3 marks)
0.1 x