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mvcal5

The document discusses linear approximations, particularly in the context of estimating values of trigonometric functions like sin and tan. It outlines the steps for making these approximations, including identifying the function, the point of approximation, and the increment. Additionally, it highlights the importance of choosing a small increment for better accuracy and provides examples for practice.

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2 views

mvcal5

The document discusses linear approximations, particularly in the context of estimating values of trigonometric functions like sin and tan. It outlines the steps for making these approximations, including identifying the function, the point of approximation, and the increment. Additionally, it highlights the importance of choosing a small increment for better accuracy and provides examples for practice.

Uploaded by

jinay.s5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Linear Approximations

Mitaxi Mehta
Lecture 5

Linear Approximations
Approximate the value of

sin(1◦ )

Linear Approximations
Approximate the value of

sin(1◦ )

Check by drawing a graph of sin x if the answer is possible.

Linear Approximations
Approximate the value of

sin(1◦ )

Check by drawing a graph of sin x if the answer is possible.


Answer: π/180
Remember while you approximate trigonometric functions the
argument should be in radians

Linear Approximations
Approximate the value of

sin(50◦ )

Linear Approximations
Approximate the value of

sin(50◦ )

Remember that when you use

f (x0 + h) ≈ f (x0 ) + hf 0 (x)|x=x0

Smaller the magnitude of h better is the approximation

Linear Approximations
Approximate the value of

sin(50◦ )

Remember that when you use

f (x0 + h) ≈ f (x0 ) + hf 0 (x)|x=x0

Smaller the magnitude of h better is the approximation Why


does the approximation work?

Linear Approximations
Some of the applications of linear approximation are in error
analysis and in calculating sensitivity to changes

Linear Approximations
When you want to linearly approximate a function at a point,
you need to identify the following,
(1) The function f(x)
(2) The value of the variable x0 at which you want to do the
approximation
(3) The increment h

Linear Approximations
Suppose you want to calculate f (a) The rules of thumb are,
(1) The function f(x) is identifiable from the problem
(2) The value of the variable x0 near which you want to do the
approximation should be such that f (x0 ) and f 0 (x0 ) are well
known
(3) The increment h can be evaluated from a = x0 + h

Linear Approximations
Let us practice,
(1) Identify f (x)
√
24.5

Linear Approximations
Let us practice,
(1) Identify f (x)
√ √
24.5 x
◦
tan 1

Linear Approximations
Let us practice,
(1) Identify f (x)
√ √
24.5 x
◦
tan 1 tan x

Linear Approximations
(2) Fix x0 , such that f (x0 ) and f 0 (x0 ) are easy to calculate and
x0 is close to the value of a
√
24.5

Linear Approximations
(2) Fix x0 , such that f (x0 ) and f 0 (x0 ) are easy to calculate and
x0 is close to the value of a
√
24.5 x0 = 25
tan 1◦

Linear Approximations
(2) Fix x0 , such that f (x0 ) and f 0 (x0 ) are easy to calculate and
x0 is close to the value of a
√
24.5 x0 = 25
tan 1◦ x0 = 0

Linear Approximations
(3) Find the increment h = a − x0 .
√
24.5

Linear Approximations
(3) Find the increment h = a − x0 .
√
24.5 h = −.5
tan 1◦

Linear Approximations
(3) Find the increment h = a − x0 .
√
24.5 h = −.5
1
tan 1◦ x0 =
180

Linear Approximations
Final result is,

f (x0 + h) ≈ f (x0 ) + hf 0 (x)|x=x0

√ √ 1
24.5 ≈ 25 − .5 √ = 4.95
2 25
π π
tan 1◦ ≈ tan 0 + sec 2 0 =
180 180

Linear Approximations

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