Republic of the Philippines

Batangas State University, Lipa Campus

Marawoy, Lipa City

College of Engineering and Computing Sciences

Industrial Engineering Department

Cherrie Leen J. del Rio

15-33526
IE-3201
IE 304 Advanced Engineering Mathematics
May 11,2018
Application of Maclaurin’s Series in Engineering
o What does the Maclaurin series (or more generally, the Taylor series) of a
function give you? It is the polynomial approximation to the function at a
particular point.*
Now approximations are everywhere! Most phenomena in the real world are so complex
that solving for them exactly is not possible. That's where approximations come into the
picture. For instance, you may come across an equation involving very complex
expressions, or integrals with very complex expressions, etc. One easy way to get to
the answer is to replace the complex expressions by their Taylor series expansions.
And that gives you a handle to control the trade-off between accuracy and
computational complexity -- the more terms of the expansion you include, the better the
accuracy of the answer, but the harder it gets to solve the resulting problem.
And this basic idea is used in most of engineering -- designing buildings, machines,
electronic appliances, modelling fluid dynamics (which is used in rocket designing), etc.
all use these kinds of approximations.
*: As pointed rightly out in comments by Juspreet Sandhu, the infinite series is an exact
representation of the function. But what is used in practice is a truncated series, in
which case it is an approximation to the function.
o One of the application of Maclarin Series is in the field of Ordinary Differential
Equations when finding Series Solutions to Differential Equations.
to calculate approximate values of almost every important function on calculators and
computers
You can easily solve the limits
Understanding asymptotic behaviour: Sometimes, a Taylor series can tell us useful
information about how a function behaves in an important part of its domain.
Now the general use …
For example, if we have
y′′−x^2y=e^x
To solve this for y would be difficult, if at all possible. But by representing y as a Taylor
series ∑anx^n, we can shuffle things around and determine the coefficients of this
Taylor series, allowing us to approximate the solution around a desired point.
useful for determining various infinite sums.
There is also applications in physics. If a system under a conservative force (one with
an energy function associated with it, like gravity or electrostatic force) is at a stable
equilibrium point x0, then there are no net forces and the energy function is concave
upwards (the energy being higher on either side is essentially what makes it stable).
 o Maclaurin's Series (TS), is one of the sophisticated tool when viewed from a
Mechanical Engineer's point of view. It is basically a mathematical expression,
utilised to expand a function & written in sum of other simple terms so that one
can obtain an approximate (And Fast!) solution for a particular value when put in
the function.
Now, consider a typical CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Application of Mechanical
Engineering:
Where software like ANSYS (FLUENT) etc undergoes a very large number of iterations
so as to reach a particular solution for those equations whose direct solutions doesn't
exist. Hence, majorly in that scenario, the concept of TS comes into the picture. With
the help of TS, the equation with no possible solution can be reduced into very simple
terms like Sin(x) in 'x's, where using different numerical techniques, the final solution
can be obtained by convergence criteria.
Hence, wherever a Mechanical Engineer is presented with the problem having complex
equations with no easy way to reach to solution, TS is then utilised to covert the
complex problem into the problems dealing with x. This is mostly the case wherever,
Computational Techniques comes into the picture & Yes TS is everywhere, in Heat &
Mass Transfer Problems, In Machining, In Fluid Dynamics etc.
Application of Fourier’s Series in Engineering
o This is quite a broad question and it indeed is quite hard to pinpoint _why
exactly_ Fourier transforms are important in signal processing. The simplest,
hand waving answer one can provide is that it is an _extremely_ powerful
mathematical tool that allows you to view your signals in a different domain,
inside which several difficult problems become very simple to analyze.
Its ubiquity in nearly every field of engineering and physical sciences, all for different
reasons, makes it all the more harder to narrow down a reason. I hope that looking
at some of its properties which led to its widespread adoption along with some
practical examples and a dash of history might help one to understand its
importance.
History:
To understand the importance of the Fourier transform, it is important to step back a
little and appreciate the power of the Fourier series put forth by Joseph Fourier. In a
nut-shell, any periodic function g(x) integrable on the domain D=[−π,π] can be
written as an infinite sum of sines and cosines as
g(x)=∑∞k=−∞τkeȷkx
τk=12π∫Dg(x)e−ȷkx dx
where eıθ=cos(θ)+ȷsin(θ). _This idea that a function could be broken down into its
constituent frequencies (i.e., into sines and cosines of all frequencies) was a powerful
one and forms the backbone of the Fourier transform._
The Fourier transform:
The Fourier transform can be viewed as an extension of the above Fourier series to
non-periodic functions. For completeness and for clarity, I'll define the Fourier transform
here. If x(t) is a continuous, integrable signal, then its Fourier transform, X(f) is given by

X(f)=∫Rx(t)e−ȷ2πft dt,∀f∈R
and the inverse transform is given by

x(t)=∫RX(f)eȷ2πft df,∀t∈R
Digital signal processing (DSP) vs. Analog signal processing (ASP)
The theory of Fourier transforms is applicable irrespective of whether the signal is
continuous or discrete, as long as it is "nice" and absolutely integrable. So yes, ASP
uses Fourier transforms as long as the signals satisfy this criterion. However, it is
perhaps more common to talk about Laplace transforms, which is a generalized Fourier
transform, in ASP. The Laplace transform is defined as

X(s)=∫∞0x(t)e−st dt,∀s∈C
The advantage is that one is not necessarily confined to "nice signals" as in the Fourier
transform, but the transform is valid only within a certain region of convergence. It is
widely used in studying/analyzing/designing LC/RC/LCR circuits, which in turn are used
in radios/electric guitars, wah-wah pedals, etc.
This is pretty much all I could think of right now, but do note that _no amount_ of
writing/explanation can fully capture the true importance of Fourier transforms in signal
processing and in science/engineering.
Fourier series it's a mathematics method to represent [ any function ] as a summation
of sine and cosine.
Why are sine and cosine are good represent functions ?
The answer is: sine and cosine are so special function his amplitude value are border
between (1,-1)! and give you any value from - infinity to +infinity in easy way!; a lot of
identities, integrable , differentiable that help engineer and mathematician to solve any
problems.
Many problems in physics involve vibrations and oscillations. Often the oscillatory
motion is simple (e.g. weights on springs, pendulums, harmonic waves etc.) and can be
represented as single sine or cosine functions. However,in many cases,
(electromagnetism, heat conduction, quantum theory,etc.) the wave forms are not
simple and, unlike sines and cosines, can be difficult to treat analytically.Fourier
methods give us a set of powerful tools for representing any periodic function as a sum
of sines and cosines.
This problems you can found it when you design a system like Mobile Communication
Systems that you see it today ; As Telecommunication engineer you need infinite
Bandwidth (BW)* if you send Square Pulse Wave! and that not possible because we
can't make a transfer media can hold infinity number of data...so we escape to Fourier
series to represent this square wave as cosine and sine wave with contain same data
[0,1].
*(Bandwidth refers to the data throughput capacity of any communication channel).
Why digital signals (rectangular pulse , square pulse...) need infinity BW ?
The answer is: the digital signals (ex. rectangular pulse) it's go from Vmin to Vmax in
zero second! practically that not possible! system need time to charge capacitor to store
data [0,1]! so anything (except zero) divided by zero is infinity.
Did you see! why Joseph Fourier is genius! this application as one of thousand
application help mathematician, control systems, electrical engineers, mechanical
engineers, physics ...etc) in their life's.
o What are some real world applications of Fourier series? Particularly the complex
Fourier integrals?
It turns out that (almost) any kind of a wave can be written as a sum of sines and
cosines. So for example, if I was to record your voice for one second saying something,
I can find its fourier series which may look something like this for example
voice=sin(x)+110sin(2x)+1100sin(3x)+...
and this interactive module shows you how when you add sines and/or cosines the
graph of cosines and sines becomes closer and closer to the original graph we are
trying to approximate.
The really cool thing about fourier series is that first, almost any kind of a wave can be
approximated. Second, when fourier series converge, they converge very fast.
So one of many many applications is compression. Everyone's favorite MP3 format
uses this for audio compression. You take a sound, expand its fourier series. It'll most
likely be an infinite series BUT it converges so fast that taking the first few terms is
enough to reproduce the original sound. The rest of the terms can be ignored because
they add so little that a human ear can likely tell no difference. So I just save the first
few terms and then use them to reproduce the sound whenever I want to listen to it and
it takes much less memory.
o The Fourier series are one of the most important series in real world applications.
you can use it in several area like
I can say about these applications.
Signal Processing. It may be the best application of Fourier analysis.
Approximation Theory. We use Fourier series to write a function as a trigonometric
polynomial.
Control Theory. The Fourier series of functions in the differential equation often gives
some prediction about the behavior of the solution of differential equation. They are
useful to find out the dynamics of the solution.
Partial Differential equation. We use it to solve higher order partial differential equations
by the method of separation of variables.
Application of Taylor’s Series in Engineering
o What are the practical applications of the Taylor Series?
One reason is that we can approximate solutions to differential equations this way: For
example, if we have
y′′−x2y=ex
To solve this for y would be difficult, if at all possible. But by representing y as a Taylor
series ∑anxn, we can shuffle things around and determine the coefficients of this Taylor
series, allowing us to approximate the solution around a desired point.
It's also useful for determining various infinite sums. For example:
11−x=∑n=0∞xn
11+x=∑n=0∞(−1)nxn
Integrate:
ln(1+x)=∑n=0∞(−1)nxn+1n+1
Substituting x=1 gives

ln2=1−12+13−14+15−16⋯
There are also applications in physics. If a system under a conservative force (one with
an energy function associated with it, like gravity or electrostatic force) is at a stable
equilibrium point x0, then there are no net forces and the energy function is concave
upwards (the energy being higher on either side is essentially what makes it stable). In
terms of taylor series, the energy function U centred around this point is of the form

U(x)=U0+k1(x−x0)2+k2(x−x0)3⋯
Where U0 is the energy at the minimum x=x0. For small displacements the high order
terms will be very small and can be ignored. So we can approximate this by only looking
at the first two terms:

U(x)≈U0+k1(x−x0)2⋯
Now force is the negative derivative of energy (forces send you from high to low energy,
proportionally to the energy drop). Applying this, we get that
F=ma=mx′′=−2k1(x−x0)
Rephrasing in terms of y=x−x0:
my′′=−2k1y
Which is the equation for a simple harmonic oscillator. Basically, for small
displacements around any stable equilibrium the system behaves approximately like an
oscillating spring, with sinusoidal behaviour. So under certain conditions you can
replace a potentially complicated system by another one that's very well understood and
well-studied. You can see this in a pendulum, for example.
As a final point, they're also useful in determining limits:
limx→0sinx−xx3

limx→0x−16x3+1120x5⋯−xx3

limx→0−16+1120x2⋯
−16
which otherwise would have been relatively difficult to determine. Because polynomials
behave so much more nicely than other functions, we can use taylor series to determine
useful information that would be very difficult, if at all possible, to determine directly.
EDIT: I almost forgot to mention the granddaddy:

ex=1+x+12x2+16x3+124x4⋯

eix=1+ix−12x2−i16x3+124x4⋯
=1−12x2+124x4⋯+ix−i16x3+i1120x5⋯
=cosx+isinx
eix=cosx+isinx
Which is probably the most important equation in complex analysis. This one alone
should be motivation enough, the others are really just icing on the cake.
o Interpretation of the Taylor's series to analyse real life.
1)Function = Life
2)Function should have the following properties:
complex(of course!)
real valued(indeed!)
analytic or differentiable 'n' number of times (to accept change or struggle)
a given point (your beliefs,values,opportunities and luck.)
3) Application:
A function having above defined properties can be expressed as the sum of the
algebraic terms with associated derivatives calculated around single point.
which could be translated to;
Life with above mentioned properties can be seen/experienced as the combination of
the events(easier like algebraic equation) around your state (values,opportunities and
luck) given that you are not resisting to change.
o Taylor's Series (TS), is one of the sophisticated tool when viewed from a
Mechanical Engineer's point of view. It is basically a mathematical expression,
utilised to expand a function & written in sum of other simple terms so that one
can obtain an approximate solution for a particular value when put in the function.
Now, consider a typical CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Application of Mechanical
Engineering:
Where software like ANSYS (FLUENT) etc undergoes a very large number of iterations
so as to reach a particular solution for those equations whose direct solutions doesn't
exist. Hence, majorly in that scenario, the concept of TS comes into the picture. With
the help of TS, the equation with no possible solution can be reduced into very simple
terms like Sin(x) in 'x's, where using different numerical techniques, the final solution
can be obtained by convergence criteria.
Hence, wherever a Mechanical Engineer is presented with the problem having complex
equations with no easy way to reach to solution, TS is then utilised to covert the
complex problem into the problems dealing with x. This is mostly the case wherever,
Computational Techniques comes into the picture & Yes TS is everywhere, in Heat &
Mass Transfer Problems, In Machining, In Fluid Dynamics etc.
Application of Power Series in Engineering
o What are the applications of power series in electrical engineering?
Not all the applications of power series might seem like "real life" to everyone, but a lot
of computing and engineering wouldn't happen without these.
Power series are useful (a) because they're essentially polynomials, which tend to be
easier to work with than most other functions, such as trig functions and logarithms, and
(b) because they have the property that the more terms of the series you add up, the
closer to the exact sum you are.
Because of (a), they're useful for solving differential equations and computing limits and
integrals. Because of (b), they're often the way computers approximate the value of
transcendental functions. Your calculator gives you an approximation of sin(x) by adding
up some of the terms in an infinite series.
Sometimes, instead of using power series to approximate a particular value of a
function, it is useful to let the first few terms of the power series stand in for the function
itself. For example, in freshman physics classes students are taught to replace sin(x)
with the first term of its power series, x, in a differential equation they couldn't otherwise
solve. Similar ideas are used elsewhere in physics (usually with a smaller error!).
Here's another interesting way power series get used: you may know that the
distribution of the electron in the hydrogen atom is governed by a differential equation,
the Schrödinger wave equation. As you may also know, the behavior of the electron is
"quantized." In simplified terms, this means that the electron jumps between states with
no "in between." You might wonder how this discrete behavior comes out of a
differential equation. The answer? Power series. In solving the differential equation, we
build up a power series solution term-by-term. However, the whole infinite series doesn't
converge, meaning that our solutions are just the finite sums. The quantum number n
shows up in the degrees of these polynomials.
If you find power series fascinating, you should definitely investigate Fourier series,
which are a similar and very powerful mathematical tool with applications throughout the
sciences.
o Possibly the most basic reason why power series are useful is that they allow
you to approximate any (possibly convoluted, but smooth) function f(x) by its
(truncated) power series f(x)=∑nanxn=∑n≤Nanxn+O(xn+1). Power series are
easy to manipulate and understand, general functions - not necessarily.
Say you want to understand the behaviour of f(x)=xsinx1−cosx near x=0. Just expand
sinx=x−x36+O(x5), cosx=1−x22+x424+O(x6) and find that
f(x)=x2−x46+O(x6)x22−x424+O(x6)=1−x26+O(x4)12−x224+O(x4)=(1−x26+O(x4))(2−x2
6+O(x4))=2−x22+O(x4)
So, with little computational effort, the complicated function that we start with turns out
to behave "just like" the simple polynomial 2−x22. In particular, it has limit at 0 equal to
limx→0f(x)=2, and is concave. If you wanted to say how much is ∫t0f(x)dx, you could just
integrate 2−x22, and the error would not be larger than O(t5). If you wanted to compare
this to, say, g(x)=2cosx=2−x2+…, then just looking at the coefficients you see that f is
greater, for x sufficiently small.
Of course, the same can be redone for higher degrees of accuracy if one needs smaller
errors.
o An important application of power series in the field of engineering is spectrum
analysis.
In radio, audio, and light applications, it is very useful to be able to receive a wide range
of frequencies and be able to pinpoint which frequencies are the loudest/brightest. By
using a form of power series called the Fourier Series/Fourier Transform, we are able to
do this mathematically. This algorithm is used in everything from instrument tuners to
deep-space telescopes, and learning power series is very important to understanding it.

References:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-use-of-Maclaurins-series-in-practical-life
Prasoon Goyal, PhD student in AI at UT Austin; May 3,2016
https://www.quora.com/What-are-real-world-application-of-Taylor-and-Maclaurin-series
Shreshtha Shaurya; December 21, 2016
https://www.quora.com/What-is-application-of-Taylors-series-in-mechanical-engineering
Vishvendra Singh Tomar, Inventor || Marketer || Engineer DC; December 21, 2015

https://www.quora.com/Why-are-Fourier-series-important-Are-there-any-real-life-
applications-of-Fourier-series
Fazla Rabbi Mashrur; April 15
https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/579453/real-world-application-of-fourier-
series
Namit Sinha; November 25, 2013
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_engineering_applications_of_Fourier_
series
Anil Kumar
Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad

https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/218421/what-are-the-practical-applications-
of-the-taylor-series
Robert Mastragostino; October 22, 2012
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-application-of-Taylors-Series-in-real-life
Balaraju Gudipally; March 13, 2015
https://www.quora.com/What-is-application-of-Taylors-series-in-mechanical-engineering
Vishvendra Singh Tomar, Inventor || Marketer || Engineer DC; December 21, 2015

https://www.reddit.com/r/math/comments/21qwsp/applications_of_power_series/
Aryandis; 2014
https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/564612/what-are-some-practical-uses-of-
power-series
Jakub Konieczny; Nov 12, 2013
https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-the-applications-of-power-series-in-mechanical-
engineering
Jake L.; January 15, 2015