OG
Apr 4, 2026
Step-by-step solution for the Taylor series expansion of e^x about x = 0
I need to derive the Maclaurin series for from first principles for my AP Calculus BC exam.
I know the formula is:
For , this becomes:
But I want to understand the step-by-step derivation, including why all derivatives of at equal , and how to determine the radius of convergence using the ratio test.
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1 Answer
PR
Prof. Robert FischerApr 5, 2026 AcceptedHere is the complete derivation.
**Step 1: Derivatives at zero.**
For $f(x) = e^x$, we have $f'(x) = e^x$, $f''(x) = e^x$, and in general $f^{(n)}(x) = e^x$ for all $n$.
Evaluating at $x = 0$:
$$f(0) = e^0 = 1, \quad f'(0) = 1, \quad f''(0) = 1, \quad \ldots, \quad f^{(n)}(0) = 1$$
**Step 2: Apply the Maclaurin formula.**
$$e^x = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{f^{(n)}(0)}{n!} x^n = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n!} x^n = 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^4}{4!} + \cdots$$
**Step 3: Radius of convergence via ratio test.**
$$\lim_{n \ o \infty} \left| \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n} \
ight| = \lim_{n \ o \infty} \left| \frac{x^{n+1}/(n+1)!}{x^n/n!} \
ight| = \lim_{n \ o \infty} \frac{|x|}{n+1} = 0$$
Since $0 < 1$ for all $x$, the series converges for all real $x$. Thus the radius of convergence is $R = \infty$.
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