1
$\begingroup$

The solution for this is $$ -\dfrac{1}{x} + \dfrac{x^2}{4!} - \dfrac{x^2}{6!} + \ldots \;, $$ but I'm not sure how to derive this Maclaurin series from $\cos(x)$. The solution just divided each term in the Maclaurin series for $\cos(x)$ by $x^2$, and then subtracted out the beginning term in $\cos(x)$ (which is $1$ in $1+x^2/2!-\ldots$). Dividing by $x^2$ makes sense, but how come only the first $1$ is subtracted? Shouldn't a $1$ be subtracted for each term and then the term be divided by $x^2$?

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ $$(1+2+3+4+5+...)-1 = (2+3+4+5+...)$$ $$(1+2+3+4+5+...)/2=(\frac12+\frac22+\frac32+\frac42+\frac52+...)$$ $\endgroup$
    – user137794
    May 6, 2014 at 22:41

2 Answers 2

1
$\begingroup$

Since $$ \cos x = 1-\frac{x^2}{2!}+\frac{x^4}{4!}-\frac{x^6}{6!}+\dotsb $$ you have $$ \cos x - 1 = -\frac{x^2}{2!}+\frac{x^4}{4!}-\frac{x^6}{6!}+\dotsb $$ and so $$ \frac{\cos x - 1}{x^2} = -\frac{1}{2!}+\frac{x^2}{4!}-\frac{x^4}{6!}+\dotsb $$

$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

$$\cos x=\sum^\infty_{k=0}\dfrac{(-1)^kx^{2k}}{(2k)!}\\ \implies \cos x-1=\sum^\infty_{k=1}\dfrac{(-1)^kx^{2k}}{(2k)!}\\ \implies \dfrac{\cos x-1}{x^2}=\sum^\infty_{k=1}\dfrac{(-1)^kx^{2(k-1)}}{(2k)!}$$ Expand the series.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .