Definition
Given a twice continuously differentiable function f of one real variable, Taylor's theorem for the case n = 1 states that
where is the remainder term. The linear approximation is obtained by dropping the remainder:
This is a good approximation for x when it is close enough to a; since a curve, when closely observed, will begin to resemble a straight line. Therefore, the expression on the right-hand side is just the equation for the tangent line to the graph of f at (a,f(a)). For this reason, this process is also called the tangent line approximation.
If f is concave down in the interval between x and a, the approximation will be an overestimate (since the derivative is decreasing in that interval). If f is concave up, the approximation will be an underestimate.
Linear approximations for vector functions of a vector variable are obtained in the same way, with the derivative at a point replaced by the Jacobian matrix. For example, given a differentiable function with real values, one can approximate for close to by the formula
The right-hand side is the equation of the plane tangent to the graph of at
In the more general case of Banach spaces, one has
where is the Fréchet derivative of at .
Read more about this topic: Linear Approximation
Famous quotes containing the word definition:
“The physicians say, they are not materialists; but they are:MSpirit is matter reduced to an extreme thinness: O so thin!—But the definition of spiritual should be, that which is its own evidence. What notions do they attach to love! what to religion! One would not willingly pronounce these words in their hearing, and give them the occasion to profane them.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“According to our social pyramid, all men who feel displaced racially, culturally, and/or because of economic hardships will turn on those whom they feel they can order and humiliate, usually women, children, and animals—just as they have been ordered and humiliated by those privileged few who are in power. However, this definition does not explain why there are privileged men who behave this way toward women.”
—Ana Castillo (b. 1953)
“One definition of man is “an intelligence served by organs.””
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)