Taylor series
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A power series representation of given infinitely differentiable function f whose terms are calculated from the function's arbitrary order derivatives at given reference point a; the series f(a)+(f'(a))/(1!)(x-a)+(f(a))/(2!)(x-a)²+(f'(a))/(3!)(x-a)³+⋯=∑ₙ₌₀∞(f⁽ⁿ⁾(a))/(n!)(x-a)ⁿ.
"A series solution about an ordinary point of a differential equation is always a Taylor series having a nonvanishing radius of convergence. A series solution about a singular point does not have this form (except in rare cases). Instead, it may be either a convergent series not in Taylor series form (such as a Frobenius series) or it may be a divergent series."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"A series solution about an ordinary point of a differential equation is always a Taylor series having a nonvanishing radius of convergence. A series solution about a singular point does not have this form (except in rare cases). Instead, it may be either a convergent series not in Taylor series form (such as a Frobenius series) or it may be a divergent series."
Etymology
Named after English mathematician Brook Taylor, who formally introduced the series in 1715. The concept was formulated by Scottish mathematician James Gregory.