[Math] Why the general formula of Taylor series for $\ln(x)$ does not work for $n=0$

calculustaylor expansion

I need to find the taylor series for $\ln(x)$ about $a = 2$, and I have find the following solution, but I don't understand why the general formula does not work for $n = 0$.

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Best Answer

The general formula would be $\frac{(-1)^{0+1} (-1)!}{2^0} = -(-1)!$. The factorial of $-1$ is undefined, so the general formula isn't defined for $n=0$. However $f^{(0)}(2) = f(2) =\ln 2$. That's what is meant by "not working".

Note that this is closely related to $\int x^{n-1}\ \mathrm dx = \frac1n x^n$ wich is also not defined for $n=0$ but $\int x^{-1} \ \mathrm dx = \ln x$.