Maclaurin Series [38 marks]

This question will investigate power series, as an extension to the Binomial

Theorem for negative and fractional indices.
A power series in x is defined as a function of the form
f (x) = a0 + a1 x + a2 x2 + a3 x3 +. . . where the ai ∈ R.
It can be considered as an infinite polynomial.

1a. Expand (1 + x)5 using the Binomial Theorem. [2 marks]

Markscheme
1 + 5x + 10x2 + 10x3 + 5x4 + x5 M1A1
[2 marks]

This is an example of a power series, but is only a finite power series, since only a
finite number of the a i are non-zero.

1b. Consider the power series 1 − x + x2 − x3 + x4 −. . . [4 marks]

By considering the ratio of consecutive terms, explain why this series is equal to
(1 + x)−1 and state the values of x for which this equality is true.

Markscheme
It is an infinite GP with a = 1, r = −x R1A1

S∞ = 1
1−(−x)
= 1
1+x
= (1 + x)−1 M1A1AG

[4 marks]

1c. Differentiate the equation obtained part (b) and hence, find the first four [2 marks]
−2
terms in a power series for (1 + x) .
 Markscheme
(1 + x)−1 = 1 − x + x2 − x3 + x4 −. . .
−1(1 + x)−2 = −1 + 2x − 3x2 + 4x3 −. . . A1

(1 + x)−2 = 1 − 2x + 3x2 − 4x3 +. . . A1

[2 marks]

1d. Repeat this process to find the first four terms in a power series for [2 marks]
(1 + x)−3 .

Markscheme
−2(1 + x)−3 = −2 + 6x − 12x2 + 20x3 . . . A1

(1 + x)−3 = 1 − 3x + 6x2 − 10x3 . . . A1

[2 marks]

1e. Hence, by recognising the pattern, deduce the first four terms in a [3 marks]
−n
power series for (1 + x) , n ∈ Z+ .

Markscheme
n(n+1) 2 n(n+1)(n+2)
(1 + x)−n = 1 − nx + 2!
x − 3!
x3 . . . A1A1A1
[3 marks]

We will now attempt to generalise further.

Suppose (1 + x)q , q ∈ Q can be written as the power series
a0 + a1 x + a2 x2 + a3 x3 +. . ..

1f. By substituting x = 0, find the value of a 0 . [1 mark]

 Markscheme
1q = a 0 ⇒ a 0 = 1 A1
[1 mark]

1g. By differentiating both sides of the expression and then substituting [2 marks]
x = 0, find the value of a1 .

Markscheme
q(1 + x)q−1 = a1 + 2a2 x + 3a3 x2 +. . . A1
a1 = q A1
[2 marks]

1h. Repeat this procedure to find a 2 and a 3 . [4 marks]

Markscheme
q (q − 1) (1 + x)q−2 = 1 × 2a2 + 2 × 3a3 x+. . . A1
q(q−1)
a2 = 2!
A1

q (q − 1) (q − 2) (1 + x)q−3 = 1 × 2 × 3a3 +. . . A1
q(q−1)(q−2)
a3 = 3!
A1
[4 marks]

1i. Hence, write down the first four terms in what is called the Extended [1 mark]
Binomial Theorem for (1 + x) , q ∈ Q .
q
 Markscheme
q(q−1) 2 q(q−1)(q−2)
(1 + x)q = 1 + qx + 2!
x + 3!
x3 . . . A1
[1 mark]

1j. Write down the power series for 1 [2 marks]

.
1+x2

Markscheme
1
1+x2
= 1 − x2 + x4 − x6 +. . . M1A1

[2 marks]

1k. Hence, using integration, find the power series for arctan x, giving the [4 marks]
first four non-zero terms.

Markscheme
x3 x5 x7
arctan x + c = x − 3
+ 5
− 7
+. . . M1A1
Putting x=0⇒c=0 R1
3 5
x x x7
So arctan x = x − 3
+ 5
− 7
+. . . A1
[4 marks]

The function f is defined by f (x) = arcsin (2x), where − 12 ⩽ x ⩽ 12 .

2a. By finding a suitable number of derivatives of f , find the first two non- [8 marks]
zero terms in the Maclaurin series for f .
 Markscheme
f (x) = arcsin (2x)
2
f ′ (x) = M1A1
√ 1−4x2
1
Note: Award M1A0 for f ′ (x) =
√ 1−4x2
8x
f ′′ (x) = 3 A1
(1−4x2) 2
EITHER
3 1
8(1−4x2) 2 −8x( 32 (−8x)(1−4x2) 2 )
(=
3 1

)
8(1−4x2) 2 +96x2(1−4x2) 2
f ′′′ (x) = A1
(1−4x2)3 (1−4x2)3

OR

+ 8x (− 4x ) ) (−8x) (= 8(1 −
2 − 32 3 2 − 52 2 − 32
f ′′′ (x) = 8(1 − 4x ) 2 (1 − 4x ) + 96x
A1
THEN
substitute x = 0 into f or any of its derivatives (M1)
f (0) = 0, f ′ (0) = 2 and f ′′ (0) = 0 A1
f ′′′ (0) = 8
the Maclaurin series is

f (x) = 2x + 8x3
6
+ … (= 2x + 4x3
3
+ …) (M1)A1

[8 marks]

2b. lim arcsin(2x)−2x [3 marks]

Hence or otherwise, find x→0 .
(2x)3
 Markscheme
METHOD 1
lim arcsin(2x)−2x lim 3
2x+ 4x3 +…−2x
x→0 = x→0 M1
(2x)3 8x3

lim 4
+… terms with x
= x→0 3
8
(M1)
1
= 6
A1
Note: Condone the omission of +… in their working.

METHOD 2
lim arcsin(2x)−2x 0
x→0 3 = 0
indeterminate form, using L’Hôpital’s rule
(2x)

lim 2
√1−4x 2
−2
= x→0 24x2
M1
0
= 0
indeterminate form, using L’Hôpital’s rule again
8x
3
lim lim
(= x→0 )
(1−4x 2) 2
1
= x→0 48x 3 M1
6(1−4x2) 2
Note: Award M1 only if their previous expression is in indeterminate form.
1
= 6
A1
Note: Award FT for use of their derivatives from part (a).

[3 marks]

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