Maclaurin Series

Tier 1
1 [9758/TJC/2017/Promo/1/2]
1 + ax 25 2
The first two non-zero terms in the series expansion of is 1 − x . Find the
1 + bx 2
possible values of a and b. [5]

2 [9758/DHS/2017/Promo/1/1 (modified)]
(1 + x) 2
(i) Find the series expansion of in ascending powers of x, up to and
4− x
including the term in x 2 . [3]
(ii) State the set of values of x for which the expansion is valid. [2]
4
(iii) By substituting x = − , use the series expansion in part (i) to obtain an
15
approximate value for 15, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest
form. [2]
1
(iv) It is also possible to use the series to approximate 15 by substituting x = .
4
4 1
Without evaluating the values, explain whether substituting x = − or x =
15 4
will produce a more accurate result for 15. [1]

3 [9758/CJC/2017/Promo/1/9]
cos x
It is given that y = .
1− 2x
 d2 y  dy
(i) Show that (1 − 2 x )  2 + y  − 4 = 0 . [3]
 dx  dx
(ii) By repeated differentiation of the result in part (i), find the Maclaurin series for y,
in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x3. [3]

(iii) Suppose that x is sufficiently small for x3 and higher powers of x to be neglected,
verify the correctness of the first three terms of the series obtained in part (ii)
using the appropriate expansions from the List of Formulae (MF26). [3]

(1)
Maclaurin Series

4 [9758/TJC/2017/Promo/1/5]
dy d2 y
(i) Given that y = ln (1 + sin x ) , find and . [2]
dx dx 2
d3 y  dy   d y 
2
(ii) Hence show that = −   2  . [1]
dx 3  dx   dx 
(iii) By further differentiation of this result, find the Maclaurin series for y up to and
including the term in x 4 . [3]
(iv) Hence, without further differentiation, deduce the Maclaurin series of
 1+ x 
ln   up to and including the term in x , giving your answer in the form
4

 1 + sin x 
kx 3 (1 − x ) , where k is a constant to be determined. [2]

5 [9758/JJC/2017/Promo/1/11]
  
In the triangle ABC, ABC = radians and BCA =  − x  radians. Prove
4 2 
AC 1
that = . [3]
BC cos x + sin x
If x is sufficiently small for terms in x 3 and higher powers of x to be ignored, show
AC
that  a + bx + cx 2 , where a, b and c are constants to be determined. [3]
BC

6 [9758/VJC/2017/Promo/1/7]
1  d2 y dy
Given that y = tan  x  , −  x   , show that =y . [2]
2 
2
dx dx
(i) By further differentiation of this result, find the Maclaurin series for y up to and
including the term in x 3 . [4]
 1 
(ii) Find  tan  x  dx . [1]
 2 
  1 
(iii) Find the Maclaurin series for ln  sec  x   up to and including the term in x 4 . [3]
  2 

7 [9758/ACJC/2017/Promo/1/10]
(a) (i) Given that x is small enough for terms involving x4 and above to be ignored,
1
use the Maclaurin series for sin x and cos x to show that tan x  x + x3 . [3]
3
(ii) A straight pole, AB, leans against a wall as shown in the diagram below. AC
is horizontal where C is the base of the wall and AC = 2 metres. B is vertically
above C and angle BAC = 85°.

(2)
Maclaurin Series

wall

A 85 C
2m
Use the Maclaurin series for tan x to find an approximate value for BC,
giving your answer correct to 5 decimal places. [2]
(iii) Use a calculator to find the value of BC, giving your answer correct to 5
decimal places, and hence show that the error in your approximation is about
0.0008% . [2]
Given that y = tan 
1 
(b)  , where a is a positive constant, show that
 x + a
dy
( x + a) + y2 +1 = 0 .
2
[2]
dx
4  1 
Using a = , find the Maclaurin series for tan   , up to and including the
  x+a
term in x2, giving all coefficients in exact form. [4]

Tier 2
1 [9758/NJC/2017/Promo/1/10(a)]
Given that  is a sufficiently small angle, show that
1
 p + q + r 2 ,
 
2 + 2 sin  2 − 
 4
where p, q and r are constants to be determined exactly. [4]

2 [9758/RI/2017/Promo/1/4(ii) (modified)]
1
 1+ x  2
1
−
Show that   can be written in the form (a + bx) (1 − x ) 2 for real
2
(ii)
 1− x 
constants a and b to be determined. Hence find the first four non-zero terms in
1
 1+ x  2 .
the series expansion of   [3]
 1− x 
1
By setting x = in your answer, obtain an approximation of 2 as a
17
fraction in lowest terms. [2]

(3)
Maclaurin Series

Answers

Tier 1
a = 10 a = −10
1 or
b=5 b = −5

1  17 163 2  943 3630

2 (i) 1 + x + x + ...  (ii) or
2 8 128  242 943
7 2
3 (ii) 1+ 2x + x + 7 x3
2
dy cos x d 2 y 1 1 1 1
4 (i) = , 2 =− (iii) x − x 2 + x 3 − x 4 + ...
dx 1 + sin x dx 1 + sin x 2 6 12
1 3 1 4
(iv) x − x + ...
6 6
3
5 a = 1, b = −1, c =
2
1 1 3   1  1 2 1 4
6 (i) x+ x (ii) 2ln  sec  x   + C (iii) x + x
2 24   2  8 192

π2 ( 4 + π ) π3 2
7 (a) (ii) 22.86028 (b) 1− x+ x + ...
8 128

Tier 2
1
1 1− +  2
2
6948 4913
2 1 + x + 12 x 2 + 12 x 3 + , or
4913 3474

(4)
Maclaurin Series

Tier 1
1 [9758/TJC/2017/Promo/1/2]
1 + ax 25 2
The first two non-zero terms in the series expansion of is 1 − x . Find the
1 + bx 2
possible values of a and b. [5]
  1  1  
   −  
1 + ax
= (1 + ax ) (1 + bx ) = 1 + ax +  
1
1 2 2 ( −1)( −2 ) bx 2 + ...
( ax ) + ... 1 − bx + ( )
−1 2
2

1 + bx  2 2!  2! 
 
a ab 2 a 2 2 a   ab a 2  2
= 1 − bx + b 2 x 2 + x − x − x + ... = 1 +  − b  x +  b 2 − −  x + ....
2 2 8 2   2 8 

a   2 ab a  2
2
25 2
1 − x = 1 +  − b  x +  b − −  x
2 2   2 8 
a
Coefficient of x term: 0 = − b  a = 2b
2
( 2b ) b − ( 2b )  b2 = 25  b = 5
2
25 ab a 2
Coefficient of x 2 term: − = b2 − − = b2 −
2 2 8 2 8
 When b = 5, a = 10
When b = −5, a = −10

(5)
Maclaurin Series

2 [9758/DHS/2017/Promo/1/1 (modified)]
(1 + x) 2
(i) Find the series expansion of in ascending powers of x, up to and
4− x
including the term in x 2 . [3]
(ii) State the set of values of x for which the expansion is valid. [2]
4
(iii) By substituting x = − , use the series expansion in part (i) to obtain an
15
approximate value for 15, giving your answer as a fraction in its simplest
form. [2]
1
(iv) It is also possible to use the series to approximate 15 by substituting x = .
4
4 1
Without evaluating the values, explain whether substituting x = − or x =
15 4
will produce a more accurate result for 15. [1]
2(i) (1 + x )2 1
= (1 + x ) 2 ( 4 − x ) 2
−

 (4 − x )
  1  3  
  1   1   − 2   − 2   1 2 
= (1 + 2 x + x 2 )  1 +  −   − x  +    − x + ... 
1
 
2   2  4  2!  4  
 
 
 1 
= (1 + 2 x + x 2 )  1 + x +
1 3 2
x + ... 
2  8 128 
1 1 1 2 3 2 
= 1 + 2 x + x + x + x +
2
x + ... 
2 8 4 128 
1  17 163 2 
= 1 + x + x + ... 
2 8 128 
2(ii) 1
− x 1
4
x 4
−4  x  4
2(iii) Method 1
2
 4
1 −  1  17  4  163  4 
2

4  15 
When x = − , = 1 +  −  +  −  + ... 
15  4  2  8  15  128  15  

 4 + 
 15 
121
225  943   (15 )  121   943   (15 )  943
 
 64  3600  1800  3600 242
 
 15 

(6)
Maclaurin Series

Method 2
121
225  943
64 3600
15
8 121 3600 1936
  =
 (15) 225 943 943

 
8 15 1936 1936 15 3630
  (15)   =
 (15) 15 943 943 8 943
2(iv) 1  4 1 4
Since   is closer to zero compared to  −  , (or since  − , or since higher
4  15  4 15
1  4
powers of   is less significant compared with  −  , )
4  15 
1
x = will give a better approximation for 15 .
4

(7)
Maclaurin Series

3 [9758/CJC/2017/Promo/1/9]
cos x
It is given that y = .
1− 2x
 d2 y  dy
(i) Show that (1 − 2 x )  2 + y  − 4 = 0 . [3]
 dx  dx
(ii) By repeated differentiation of the result in part (i), find the Maclaurin series for y,
in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x3. [3]

(iii) Suppose that x is sufficiently small for x3 and higher powers of x to be neglected,
verify the correctness of the first three terms of the series obtained in part (ii)
using the appropriate expansions from the List of Formulae (MF26). [3]
3(i) (1 − 2 x ) y = cos x
d d
(1 − 2 x ) y  = cos x
dx dx
dy
(1 − 2 x ) + y ( 0 − 2 ) = − sin x
dx
2
d y dy dy
(1 − 2 x ) 2 + (−2) − 2 = − cos x
dx dx dx
d2 y dy
(1 − 2 x ) 2
− 4 = − cos x
dx dx
d2 y dy
(1 − 2 x ) 2 − 4 = − (1 − 2 x ) y
dx dx
 d2 y  dy
(1 − 2 x )  2 + y  − 4 = 0 (Shown)
 dx  dx
3(ii)  d3 y dy   d 2 y  d2 y
(1 − 2 x )  3
+  +  2 + y  (−2) − 4 2 = 0
 dx dx   dx  dx
dy d2 y d3 y
When x = 0, y = 1, = 2, 2 = 7, 3 = 42
dx dx dx
7 42 7
y = 1 + 2 x + x 2 + x3 + ...  1 + 2 x + x 2 + 7 x3
2 6 2
−1  x2 
3(iii)
y=
cos x
1− 2x
( )
= cos x (1 − 2 x )  1 −  1 + 2 x + (2 x) 2  1 + 2 x + 4 x 2 −
2 
x2
2

7 x2
= 1+ 2x + (Verified)
2

(8)
Maclaurin Series

4 [9758/TJC/2017/Promo/1/5]
dy d2 y
(i) Given that y = ln (1 + sin x ) , find and . [2]
dx dx 2
d3 y  dy   d y 
2
(ii) Hence show that = −   2  . [1]
dx 3  dx   dx 
(iii) By further differentiation of this result, find the Maclaurin series for y up to and
including the term in x 4 . [3]
(iv) Hence, without further differentiation, deduce the Maclaurin series of
 1+ x 
ln   up to and including the term in x , giving your answer in the form
4

 1 + sin x 
kx 3 (1 − x ) , where k is a constant to be determined. [2]
4(i) y = ln (1 + sin x )
dy cos x
=
dx 1 + sin x
d 2 y − sin x (1 + sin x ) − cos x ( cos x ) − sin x − 1 1
= = =−
(1 + sin x ) (1 + sin x ) 1 + sin x
2 2 2
dx
4(ii) d3 y 1
2 (
= cos x )
dx 3
(1 + sin x )
d3 y  cos x  −1   dy   d y 
2
= −    = −   2  (shown)
dx3  1 + sin x  1 + sin x   dx   dx 
4(iii) dy 1 d2 y 1 d3 y d4 y
When x = 0 , y = ln1 = 0 , = = 1, 2 = − = −1 , = 1 , = −2
dx 1 + 0 dx 1+ 0 dx3 dx 4
By Maclaurin’s Theorem,
−1 1 −2 4 1 1 1
y = 0 + (1) x + x 2 + x 3 + x + ... = x − x 2 + x 3 − x 4 + ...
2! 3! 4! 2 6 12
4(iv)  1+ x 
ln   = ln (1 + x ) − ln (1 + sin x )
 1 + sin x 
 1 1 1   1 1 1 
=  x − x 2 + x 3 − x 4 + ...  −  x − x 2 + x 3 − x 4 + ... 
 2 3 4   2 6 12 
1 1
= x3 − x 4 + ...
6 6

(9)
Maclaurin Series

5 [9758/JJC/2017/Promo/1/11]
  
In the triangle ABC, ABC = radians and BCA =  − x  radians. Prove
4 2 
AC 1
that = . [3]
BC cos x + sin x
If x is sufficiently small for terms in x 3 and higher powers of x to be ignored, show
AC
that  a + bx + cx 2 , where a, b and c are constants to be determined. [3]
BC

   
BAC =  − − − x = + x
4 2  4
AC BC
By Sine Rule, =
   
sin   sin  + x 
4 4 
  2 2
sin  
AC
=  4 2 2 1
= = =
BC     2 2 cos x + sin x
sin  + x  sin cos x + cos sin x cos x + sin x
4  4 4 2 2
−1
1 1   x2  
  1 +  x −  
cos x + sin x  x 2
   2 
1 − +  + ( x + )
 2 
2
 x 2  (−1)(−2)  x2  x2 3
= 1−  x −  +  x −  + = 1− x + + x2 +  1− x + x2
 2 (1)(2)  2 2 2
3
 a = 1, b = −1, c =
2

(10)
Maclaurin Series

6 [9758/VJC/2017/Promo/1/7]
1  d2 y dy
Given that y = tan  x  , −  x   , show that =y . [2]
2 
2
dx dx
(i) By further differentiation of this result, find the Maclaurin series for y up to and
including the term in x 3 . [4]

(ii) Find  1 
 tan  x  dx . [1]
 2 
  1 
(iii) Find the Maclaurin series for ln  sec  x   up to and including the term in x 4 . [3]
  2 
6(i) 1 
y = tan  x 
2 
dy 1 2  1 
= sec  x 
dx 2 2 
d2 y 1  1  1  1   1  1 1  1  dy
= ( 2 ) sec  x   sec  x  tan  x   = sec 2  x  tan  x  = y
 2  2  2   2  2 2  2 
2
dx 2 dx
2
d 3 y  dy  d2 y
=   + y
dx3  dx  dx 2
d2 y d3 y 1
When x = 0, y = 0, dy = 1 , 2
= 0, 3 =
dx 2 dx dx 4
1
1 1 1 3
y  x + 4 x3 = x + x
2 3! 2 24
6(ii)  1  1 
 tan  x  dx = 2ln sec  x  + C
  2  2 
 x 
Since −  x   , −   .
2 2 2
1  1 
cos  x   0  sec  x   0
 2  2 
 
Hence     
1 1
 tan  x  dx = 2ln  sec  x   + C
 2    2  
6(iii)   1    1 1 3 1 1
2ln  sec  x      x + x  dx = x 2 + x 4 + C
  2    2 24  4 96
  1  1 1 4 C
ln  sec  x    x 2 + x +
  2  8 192 2

When x = 0, C = 0  C = 0
2
  1  1 1 4
 ln  sec  x    x 2 + x
  2  8 192

(11)
Maclaurin Series

7 [9758/ACJC/2017/Promo/1/10]
(a) (i) Given that x is small enough for terms involving x4 and above to be ignored,
1
use the Maclaurin series for sin x and cos x to show that tan x  x + x3 . [3]
3
(ii) A straight pole, AB, leans against a wall as shown in the diagram below. AC
is horizontal where C is the base of the wall and AC = 2 metres. B is vertically
above C and angle BAC = 85°.

wall

A 85 C
2m
Use the Maclaurin series for tan x to find an approximate value for BC,
giving your answer correct to 5 decimal places. [2]
(iii) Use a calculator to find the value of BC, giving your answer correct to 5
decimal places, and hence show that the error in your approximation is about
0.0008% . [2]
Given that y = tan 
1 
(b)  , where a is a positive constant, show that
 x+a
dy
( x + a) + y2 +1 = 0 .
2
[2]
dx
4  1 
Using a = , find the Maclaurin series for tan   , up to and including the
  x+a
term in x2, giving all coefficients in exact form. [4]
7(ai) −1
sin x  1   1   1   1 
tan x =   x − x3   1 − x 2  =  x − x3   1 + x 2 + ... 
cos x  6   2   6   2 
1 1 1
= x − x3 + x3 + ... = x + x3 + ...
6 2 3
7(aii) 5π π
Small angle is at angle ABC = 5 = = radians
180 36
2 1 2
tan ABC =  x + x3 
BC 3 BC
2
BC  3
= 22.86028147
π 1 π 
+  
36 3  36 
 BC is approx. 22.86028 metres (5 dp).
7(aiii) Using calculator, BC = 2 tan 85 = 22.86010 m (5 dp)

(12)
Maclaurin Series

22.86028 − 22.86010
Error = 100% = 0.0008 % (shown)
22.86010
7(b) Method 1
−1 dy −1 −2
y = tan ( x + a )  = sec2 ( x + a )  −1( x + a )
dx
( x + a )2 = − sec2 ( x + a )−1
dy

dx

dy
dx
(
( x + a )2 = − 1 + tan 2 ( x + a )−1 )
( x + a )2 = − (1 + y 2 )
dy

dx
dy
 ( x + a )2 + y 2 + 1 = 0 (shown)
dx

Method 2
−1 −1
y = tan ( x + a )  tan −1 y = ( x + a )
1 dy −2 1
 = − ( x + a ) = −
1 + y 2 dx ( x + a )2
= − (1 + y 2 )
dy
 ( x + a )2
dx
dy
 ( x + a )2 + y 2 + 1 = 0 (shown)
dx
Method 1
d2 y dy dy
( x + a) + 2( x + a) + 2y = 0
2
2
dx dx dx
Method 2
−1 dy −1 −2
y = tan ( x + a )  = sec2 ( x + a ) . − 1( x + a )
dx
d2 y −1 −1 −2 −2
2
=  2.sec2 ( x + a ) tan ( x + a ) . − 1( x + a )  . − 1( x + a )
dx
−1 −3
− sec2 ( x + a ) .− 2( x + a)
−1 −1 −4 −1 −3
= −2.sec2 ( x + a ) tan ( x + a ) . ( x + a ) − sec2 ( x + a ) .− 2( x + a)
−1
4 4 π
When a = , x = 0 , y = tan   = tan =1,
π π 4
2
 4  dy 2 dy π2
  +1 +1 = 0  =−
 π  dx dx 8

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Maclaurin Series

16 d 2 y 8  π2  ( )  π2 
+ − + 2 1 −  = 0
π 2 dx 2 π  8   8 
d 2 y 4π + π 2 π 2 ( 4 + π ) π3
= . =
dx 2 4 16 64
π2 ( 4 + π ) π3 x 2 π2 ( 4 + π ) π3 2
Series is y = 1 − x+ + ... = 1 − x+ x + ...
8 64 2 8 128

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Maclaurin Series

Tier 2
1 [9758/NJC/2017/Promo/1/10(a)]
Given that  is a sufficiently small angle, show that
1
 p + q + r 2 ,
 
2 + 2 sin  2 − 
 4
where p, q and r are constants to be determined exactly. [4]
1 1
=
    
2 + 2 sin  2 −  2 + 2  sin 2 cos − cos 2 sin 
 4  4 4
1
= (1 + 2 + 2 2 )
1 1 −
 = 2

1   (2 ) 2   1 + 2 + 2 2
2+ 2  2 − 1 − 
2  2!  
 1  3 
 −  − 
 1
= 1 +  −  ( 2 + 2 ) +  ( 2 + 2 2 ) +
2  2  2 3 1
2
 1 −  −  2 + (4 2 ) = 1 −  +  2
 2 2! 8 2

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Maclaurin Series

2 [9758/RI/2017/Promo/1/4(ii) (modified)]
1
 1+ x  2
1
−
(ii) Show that   can be written in the form ( a + bx ) (1 − x 2
) 2 for real
 1− x 
constants a and b to be determined. Hence find the first four non-zero terms in
1
 1+ x  2 .
the series expansion of   [3]
 1− x 
1
By setting x = in your answer, obtain an approximation of 2 as a
17
fraction in lowest terms. [2]
1 1 1
 1 + x  =  (1 + x) (1 + x )  =  (1 + x) 
2 1
2 2 2 −
     (1 − x)(1 + x)  = (1 + x )(1 − x 2
) 2 a = 1, b = 1
 1− x   (1 − x ) (1 + x )   

= (1 + x ) 1 + x 2 + x 4 +  = 1 + x + x 2 + x 3 +
1 3 1 1
 2 8  2 2
1
1+ 2 3
17  1 + 1 + 1  1  + 1  1   18  5211
   
1−
1 17 2  17  2  17  16 4913
17
Method 1
18 5211 3 5211 6948
  2  2
16 4913 4 4913 4913
Method 2
18 5211 3 5211 4913
    2
16 4913 2 2 4913 3474

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