# Linearization problem

#### apertxre

https://ibb.co/BcY1dxJ

Find the best function f(x) and value a so that the linearization of f(x) at x=a can be used to estimate âˆš16.2.

Find the linearization of f(x) at a.

Use the linear approximation from (b) to estimate âˆš16.2.

I think I can figure out the last two, but I'm not sure how to get the function.

Last edited by a moderator:

#### romsek

Math Team
Taking the first 2 terms of the Taylor series of the square root function about $x_0$ we have

$\sqrt{x} \approx \sqrt{x_0} + \dfrac{x-x_0}{2\sqrt{x_0}}$

hopefully clearly to find $\sqrt{16.2}$ we'll choose $x_0 = 16$ as it is the
closest perfect square. We then end up with

$\sqrt{16.2} \approx \sqrt{16} + \dfrac{16.2-16}{2 \cdot 4} =$

$4 + 0.025 = 4.025$

which is a pretty good approximation.

#### apertxre

Taking the first 2 terms of the Taylor series of the square root function about $x_0$ we have

$\sqrt{x} \approx \sqrt{x_0} + \dfrac{x-x_0}{2\sqrt{x_0}}$

hopefully clearly to find $\sqrt{16.2}$ we'll choose $x_0 = 16$ as it is the
closest perfect square. We then end up with

$\sqrt{16.2} \approx \sqrt{16} + \dfrac{16.2-16}{2 \cdot 4} =$

$4 + 0.025 = 4.025$

which is a pretty good approximation.
It didn't show up as correct for me. :/ It can't be decimals but even when I converted it to a fraction it said it's wrong. Sorry

#### SDK

https://ibb.co/BcY1dxJ

Find the best function f(x) and value a so that the linearization of f(x) at x=a can be used to estimate âˆš16.2.

Find the linearization of f(x) at a.

Use the linear approximation from (b) to estimate âˆš16.2.

I think i can figure out the last two, but I'm not sure how to get the function.
This is a terrible question. If you fix a value at which to linearize, then the linearization is the best approximation choice. But if you don't fix the value, then the question is absurd. I would guess they want you to linearize at $a = 16$ but this certainly won't be the best choice by any means.

Here is a linear approximation which is better: $y = \sqrt{16.2}$.

Here is another one which is less trivial: $y =\sqrt{16.2} + \frac{1}{2 \sqrt{16.2}}(x - \sqrt{16.2})$.

Whoever assigned this question should be slapped.