MATLAB HELP to write a function.

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Brandon
Brandon on 21 Sep 2014
Edited: Rick Rosson on 21 Sep 2014
Hello, I have this problem as a practice question for a class. I am new to MATLAB, and I have no idea how to even start, can someone please help me? thanks
The Maclaurin series expansion for cos(x) is: cosx = 1 - x^2/2! + x^4/4! - x^6/6! + ...... Starting with the simplest version, cosx = 1, add terms one at a time to estimate cos(pi/4). After each new term is added, compute the true and approximate percent relative errors. Add terms until the absolute value of the approximate error estimate falls below and error criterion conforming to two significant figures.

Answers (2)

Image Analyst
Image Analyst on 21 Sep 2014
Maybe try a for loop
theSum = 1;
for k = 2 : 2 : 1000
theSum = theSum - (-1)^k * ........ % See if you can complete the lines.
theError = theSum - cos(...........
if theError < .............
% some code......
end
end

Rick Rosson
Rick Rosson on 21 Sep 2014
Edited: Rick Rosson on 21 Sep 2014
Here's a start:
x = pi/4;
ideal = cos(x);
approx = 1;
k = 0;
while ( abs(approx - ideal) > ... )
k = k + 2;
approx = approx + ...
...
...
end

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