taylor polynomial question

<p>Ok, so when they say "Find the 4th degree Taylor polynomial." Does that mean, the polynomial will have 4 terms, or that it will be f^(4)(c)/4! *(x-a)^4, in which case there would be 5 terms.</p>

<p>In other words, is the first term in the taylor polynomial the 1st degree, or the 0th degree?</p>

<p>the fourth degree polynomial has all the terms up to the term that has an x raised to the 4th power... so yes, a fourth degree polynomial can have 5 terms</p>

<p>BTW, its not raised to the 4th power, it is the 4th derivative. f^('''')(c)/4! *(x-a)^4 </p>

<p>Because of that, I assumed that the 0th derivative (not taking the derivative) was the first term, and therefore, the 0th degree polynomial. Anyway, just wondering, because I have seen it both ways.</p>

<p>"Fourth degree" means x raised to the fourth power.</p>

<p>When writing the taylor polynomial, this happens to coincide with the fourth derivative (divided by 4!).</p>

<p>Ok, thats what I thought, thanks for clarifying.</p>

<p>i HATE taylor series.</p>

<p>Taylor Series is a decent guy, I met him once and he gave me a slice of pizza because he was full and I hadn't eaten yet. His father, Mr. Series, though, is another story. That guy is mean.</p>

<p>lol, dude, that cracked me up!</p>