When using Taylor polynomials to approximate functions around a point, understanding the approximation error is crucial. The approximation error tells us how accurate our polynomial is in representing the function over a given interval. Generally, this is achieved by calculating the remainder term of the Taylor series.
For our function \( f(x) = \frac{x}{\ln x} \), the error is expressed as \( R_2(x) = \frac{f'''(c)}{6}(x-x_0)^3 \), where \( c \) is some point within the interval of approximation \([2, \frac{11}{5}]\). Evaluating the error involves:
- Estimating the third derivative of the function near \( x_0 \).
- Calculating the magnitude of the error based on the interval.
Understanding the error helps us determine the reliability of our polynomial and informs any necessary adjustments needed for high precision in approximations.