Problem:
Given the function

f(x) = cos(x)

graph the functions f and the 1st, 5th, and 10th degree taylor polynomials of f.

Visualization:
Using Derive:

  1. Prepare the program for graphics.
  2. If the first menu item is Algebra then press .
  3. Press for Author.
  4. Enter the function
    cos x
  5. Press twice to get the graph.
  6. Press once.
  7. Then press to get to the calculus menu.
  8. Then press to get to the taylor polynomial function.
  9. Now enter 1, since we are editing equation #1.
  10. Then press .
  11. Enter x for the variable and then press .
  12. Now enter 1, since we first want to see the taylor polynomial with only 1 term.
  13. Then press .
  14. Lastly, press to simplify the operation.
  15. Then press .
  16. Again press twice to get the graph.
  17. Press once.
  18. Then press to get to the calculus menu.
  19. Then press to get to the taylor polynomial function.
  20. Now enter 1, since we are editing equation #1.
  21. Then press .
  22. Enter x for the variable and then press .
  23. Now enter 5, since we first want to see the taylor polynomial with only 5 terms.
  24. Then press .
  25. Lastly, press to simplify the operation.
  26. Then press .
  27. Again press twice to get the graph.
  28. Press once.
  29. Then press to get to the calculus menu.
  30. Then press to get to the taylor polynomial function.
  31. Now enter 1, since we are editing equation #1.
  32. Then press .
  33. Enter x for the variable and then press .
  34. Now enter 5, since we first want to see the taylor polynomial with only 5 terms.
  35. Then press .
  36. Lastly, press to simplify the operation.
  37. Then press .
  38. Again press twice to get the graph.

This document was originally written by Richard Rupp.