[Math] Interval of convergence of the power series of $f(x)=x^{0.6}$ around $a=4$

calculusconvergence-divergencepower seriessequences-and-seriestaylor expansion

I had to find the first four coefficients of the power series of $x^{0.6}$ at $a=4$, which i did:
$$c_{0} = 4^{3/5}$$
$$c_{1} = (3/5)4^{-2/5}$$
$$c_{2} = (3/5)(-2/5)4^{-7/5}$$
$$c_{3} = (3/5)(-2/5)(-7/5)4^{-12/5}$$

However, I need help finding the interval of convergence.

The ratio test isn't giving me the right answer. I'm also not sure whether Im representing this function as a power series correctly.

My desperate attempt was to use the binomial series $$4^{(6/10-n)}(1+x)^{6/10}$$
This is my first exposure to series and any help would be really appreciated.

Best Answer

HINT: the Taylor series around the point $a$ of a smooth function $f$ is defined by

$$\mathcal T(f,a):=\sum_{k=0}^\infty c_k (x-a)^k=\sum_{k=0}^\infty f^{(k)}(a)\frac{(x-a)^k}{k!}$$

where $f^{(n)}$ is the $n$-th derivative of $f$. Then you can write the desired series if you have a formula for the $n$-th derivative of $f(x):=x^\alpha$.

If we define $\alpha^{\underline k}:=\prod_{j=0}^{k-1}(\alpha-k)$ (these numbers are named falling factorials of $\alpha$) then we have that

$$f^{(k)}(x)=\alpha^{\underline k} x^{\alpha-k}$$

Thus the coefficients of your Taylor series, for $f(x):=x^{3/5}$ and $a:=4$, are defined by

$$c_k:=\frac{(3/5)^\underline k 4^{3/5-k}}{k!}$$

Then you only need to apply here your knowledge about how to obtain the radius of convergence of $\mathcal T(x^{3/5},4)$, what you named as interval of convergence.

HINT 2: if the following limit exists then the radius of convergence is defined by $$R:=\lim_{k\to\infty}\frac{|c_k|}{|c_{k+1}|}$$

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