Education Technology


Polynomial Approximations-An Introduction to Taylor Series

Activity Overview

This activity leads students to find Taylor polynomials for functions. Students discover coefficients for linear, quadratic, and cubic approximations and generalize for higher degree approximations.

Before the Activity

See the attached Activity PDF file(s) for detailed instructions for this activity.

During the Activity

Follow the procedures outlined in the activity.

Students will:

  • Be able to write the Taylor polynomial for a given function.
  • After the Activity

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary