[Math] Little $o$ notation and series

notationsequences-and-series

I have this question:

Consider the series

$e^{\tan(x)} = 1 + x + \dfrac{x^{2}}{2!} + \dfrac{3x^{3}}{3!} + \dfrac{9x^{4}}{4!} + \ldots $

Retaining three terms in the series, estimate the remaining series using
"Little$o$" notation with the best integer value possible, as $x\to 0$.

My question is:

What do they mean with "with the best integer value possible"? Someone who can point out the connection with little $o$ notation and a best integer vaulue possible?

Best Answer

‘Best’ here would be ‘smallest’, so as Henning said, in all likelihood you’re being asked to write $e^{\tan x} = 1 + x + \frac{x^2}{2} + o(x^n)$ as $x\to 0$ for the smallest integer $n$ that makes the statement true.

Added: As Brugerfugl points out, that should be ‘largest’, since were’ looking at $x\to 0$.