Remarks on Chapter 4

(1) f ( x)
=

n =0

f ( n ) (a)
( x a)n
n!

when n=0, we get

(0)

(a)
= f (a)
0!

Here we define
f (0) (a ) = f (a )
0! = 1

(2)The power series about the point (called centre) a is

of the form

n
c
(
x

a
)
n
n =0

Is

1
n
(5 x + 7)

n =0 n

a power series?

ANS:YES, since

1
5
n
n
(5
7)
(
(7
/
5))
x
x
+
=

n
n 0=
n 0 n

So the centre of the power series is -7/5. How to find the

radius of convrergence? Two ways:
(a) Start from the standard form,

5n
n
( x (7 / 5))

n =0 n
use ratio test , get

5 x (7 / 5) < 1 Hence
x (7 / 5) < 1/ 5

(b) Or start

1
n
from the given form (5 x + 7)
n =0 n

Use ratio test , get

5 x + 7 < 1 Hence 5 x (7 / 5) < 1

So x ( 7 / 5) < 1/ 5