🔢 Taylor Series Calculator

Compute Taylor & Maclaurin series expansions instantly with step-by-step solutions, interactive graphs, and convergence analysis

✅ 100% Free Forever ⚡ Instant Computation 📊 Interactive Visualization 📱 Mobile Optimized

🧮 Compute Taylor/Maclaurin Series

Variable:

📌 Popular Taylor Series Examples:

Calculating Taylor series expansion...

📊 Taylor Series Results

Original Function
f(x) =
Taylor Series Expansion (n = 5)
Tₙ(x) =
Taylor Polynomial (Simplified)
Pₙ(x) =

📈 Function & Taylor Approximation

Visualization shows the original function (blue) and Taylor polynomial approximation (red). Adjust the degree to see how accuracy improves with more terms.

📝 Step-by-Step Derivation

Instant Computation

Calculate Taylor series expansions up to 20th degree in milliseconds. Our optimized algorithms compute derivatives and series terms instantly.

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Interactive Visualization

Visualize how Taylor polynomials approximate functions. Watch the approximation improve as you increase the degree. Real-time graphing with Plotly.js.

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Educational Focus

Learn Taylor series concepts with detailed step-by-step solutions showing each derivative calculation. Perfect for students learning calculus.

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Convergence Analysis

Get insights about radius of convergence and approximation accuracy. Understand where the Taylor series provides valid approximations.

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Mobile Friendly

Works perfectly on all devices - smartphones, tablets, laptops. Calculate Taylor series anywhere, anytime with our responsive design.

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Privacy First

Your calculations are private and secure. We don't store your data or track your activity. Complete anonymity guaranteed.

📚 What is a Taylor Series?

A Taylor series is a mathematical representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the function's derivatives at a single point. Developed by Brook Taylor in 1715, it's one of the most powerful tools in calculus for approximating complex functions with polynomials.

The general formula for the Taylor series expansion of a function f(x) about point a is:

f(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x-a) + f''(a)(x-a)²/2! + f'''(a)(x-a)³/3! + ... + f⁽ⁿ⁾(a)(x-a)ⁿ/n! + ...

When the expansion point a = 0, the series is called a Maclaurin series (named after Colin Maclaurin). Taylor series are fundamental in physics, engineering, and computer science for approximating functions that are difficult to compute directly.

🚀 Real-World Applications

🎯 Engineering

Taylor series approximate complex equations in structural analysis, fluid dynamics, and electrical circuit design. Engineers use them to simplify calculations while maintaining accuracy.

📱 Computer Science

Programming languages use Taylor series to compute trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Calculators and computers implement these approximations in hardware.

🧪 Physics

In quantum mechanics, perturbation theory uses Taylor expansions. Classical mechanics employs them for small oscillations and approximations in potential energy functions.

💰 Economics & Finance

Taylor series approximate utility functions in economics and option pricing models in finance. Risk assessment models rely on these polynomial approximations.

📋 Common Taylor/Maclaurin Series

Function Maclaurin Series (a=0) Radius of Convergence
1 + x + x²/2! + x³/3! + x⁴/4! + ... ∞ (all real x)
sin(x) x - x³/3! + x⁵/5! - x⁷/7! + ... ∞ (all real x)
cos(x) 1 - x²/2! + x⁴/4! - x⁶/6! + ... ∞ (all real x)
ln(1+x) x - x²/2 + x³/3 - x⁴/4 + ... |x| < 1
1/(1-x) 1 + x + x² + x³ + x⁴ + ... |x| < 1
arctan(x) x - x³/3 + x⁵/5 - x⁷/7 + ... |x| ≤ 1

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Taylor and Maclaurin series?

A Maclaurin series is a special case of Taylor series where the expansion point a = 0. So every Maclaurin series is a Taylor series, but not vice versa. Use our calculator with center point 0 for Maclaurin series.

How many terms do I need for accurate approximation?

It depends on the function and how far x is from the center point. For functions like eˣ and sin(x), 5-10 terms give excellent accuracy near the center. Use our interactive graph to visualize accuracy.

What is the radius of convergence?

The radius of convergence is the distance from the center point within which the Taylor series converges to the function. Outside this radius, the series diverges. Our calculator provides convergence information.

Can I use Taylor series for any function?

Taylor series work for functions that are infinitely differentiable at the expansion point. Functions with discontinuities or singularities may not have valid Taylor series expansions.

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