I have this equation, $f(x) = e^{-x^2}$. My question is how should I find $f^{(10)} (0)$, ie the tenth derivative of this equation.
I have tried differentiating to get a formula, and I get $f^{(n)}(0) = (-1)^n*x^n*e^{-x^2}$. However, substituting $n=10$ and $x=0$ into this general formula gives me an answer of $0$. But this is incorrect as the answer given is $-10!/5!$.
Should I convert this equation into a Taylor Series? If yes, how should I use Taylor Series to find the derivative?
Thanks!
Best Answer
We know that: $$e^x = 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^3}{3!}+ \frac{x^4}{4!} + \frac{x^5}{5!} + o(x^5)$$ Using $-x^2$ instead of $x$, we obtain: $$e^{-x^2} = 1 - x^2 + \frac{x^4}{2} - \frac{x^6}{3!}+ \frac{x^8}{4!} - \frac{x^{10}}{5!} + o(x^{10})$$
The general term on the Taylor Series is $\dfrac{f^{(k)}(0)}{k!}x^k$. The term with $x^{10}$ has a coefficient of $\dfrac{-1}{5!}$, hence: $$\frac{f^{(10)}(0)}{10!} = -\frac{1}{5!} \implies f^{(10)}(0) = -\frac{10!}{5!}$$ as desired.