computing derivatives and limits
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg126020] computing derivatives and limits
- From: Andrzej Kozlowski <akozlowski at gmail.com>
- Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:47:48 -0400 (EDT)
- Delivered-to: l-mathgroup@mail-archive0.wolfram.com
Consider the function:
f[x_] := Cos[Sqrt[x]]
This is an analytic function and of course Mathematica knows its Taylor series:
SeriesCoefficient[f[x], {x, 0, n}]
Piecewise[{{(-1)^n/(2*n)!, n >= 0}}, 0]
But asking for the derivative at 0 is asking for trouble:
f'[0]
During evaluation of In[203]:= Power::infy: Infinite expression 1/Sqrt[0] encountered. >>
During evaluation of In[203]:= Infinity::indet: Indeterminate expression 0 ComplexInfinity encountered. >>
Indeterminate
This is, in fact, taken from a question that appeared at our recent calculus test and those who gave the same answer as Mathematica got 0 points for it. I understand why this happens but shouldn't Mathematica be a little cleverer about this sort of thing nowadays, particularly in situations when it can find the Taylor series?
Andrzej Kozlowski