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Linear Approximation

Let f be a function with f(0) = 1 and f'(x) = cos (x^2).

a) Find the linearization of f at x = 0.
b) Estimate the value of f at x = 0.1.
c) Do you think the actual value of f at x = 0.1 is greater than or less than the estimate in part (b)? Explain.

User Goofyui
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The linearization of f at x = 0 is L(x) = 1 + x, the estimate of f at x = 0.1 is approximately 1.1, and the actual value of f at 0.1 is expected to be less than 1.1.

Step-by-step explanation:

Linear Approximation

Linear approximation is a method used to estimate the value of a function at a point close to where we know its value. In this case, we are given the function f with f(0) = 1 and f'(x) = cos(x^2). We'll carry out the following steps:

a) Find the Linearization of f at x = 0

The linearization L(x) of function f at x = 0 is given by,

L(x) = f(0) + f'(0)(x - 0)

Since f(0) = 1 and f'(0) = cos(0^2) = 1, the equation becomes:

L(x) = 1 + 1*(x - 0) = 1 + x

b) Estimate the Value of f at x = 0.1

We can now use the linearization to estimate f(0.1):

f(0.1) ≈ L(0.1) = 1 + 0.1 = 1.1

c) Actual Value of f at x = 0.1 - Greater or Lesser than Estimate?

Since the derivative f'(x) = cos(x^2) decreases as x increases, the function f is increasing at a decreasing rate. Therefore, the actual value of f(0.1) will likely be less than the linear approximation because the slope of the tangent line (derivative) overestimates f as x moves away from 0.

The actual value of f at x = 0.1 is likely less than the estimate 1.1 due to the decreasing rate of increase.

User Homme Zwaagstra
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