Taylor Series Expansion for z^i at z=1+i: First Three Terms

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the first three terms of the Taylor series expansion for the function \( z^i \) at the point \( z = 1 + i \). Participants explore various methods for deriving the series, including the use of logarithms and binomial expansion, while addressing the correct application of Taylor series definitions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the expression \( z^i = \exp(i \Log(z)) \) and applying the Taylor series for \( e^z \) to find the series expansion.
  • Another participant challenges the initial approach, emphasizing that a Taylor series should be expressed in terms of \( (z - i) \) and providing calculations for the coefficients based on derivatives evaluated at \( z = i \).
  • A different participant proposes using the binomial expansion to express \( z^i \) in terms of \( (z - i) \) and provides a series expansion based on that approach.
  • Some participants advocate for directly applying the definition of the Taylor series, calculating derivatives of \( f(z) = z^i \) at \( z = 1 + i \) to derive the series.
  • One participant acknowledges a mistake in their original post regarding the point of expansion, clarifying that it should be at \( z = 1 + i \) and questioning whether the first three terms should be derived from the corrected expression.
  • Another participant points out that \( i^i \) is not a term of the form \( z^i \) and emphasizes the importance of correctly applying the Taylor series definition without altering the variable incorrectly.
  • A later reply attempts to summarize the correct form of the first three terms of the Taylor series expansion, indicating a desire for confirmation on the approach taken.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct method for deriving the Taylor series expansion, with no consensus reached on the best approach. Some participants agree on the need to clarify the point of expansion, while others contest the interpretations of the Taylor series definition.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the correct application of Taylor series, particularly in relation to the choice of expansion point and the treatment of logarithmic terms. Participants also note potential simplifications that could be made to the expressions derived.

xorbie
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I need to find the first three terms of this series.

Am I correct in saying z^i = exp(i*Log(z)), then using the taylor series for e^z, giving me:

(i*Log(z)) - 1/2*(Log(z))^2 - i/6*(Log(z))^3 + 1/24*(Log(z))^4 + ...

I haven't worked it out, but this seems to mean that the coefficients for every term in the Taylor series for z^i is actually an infinite series, found by combining terms in the Log(z) Taylor series.

This seems like I could be way off though, so I don't want to do the calculations if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I do not understand this at all! A "Taylor's series" of a function f(z) is, by definition,
a power series in z. You said in your title that this was to be "at z= i" so your series should have (z- i), (z- i)2, etc. The coefficients would be, of course,
f(i), f '(i)/2, etc. which are f(i)= ii, f '(i)= i(ii-1)= ii,
f"(i)= i(i-1)ii-2= ii-2ii-1 etc so that the Taylor's series is ii+ ii(z-i)+ ((ii- 2ii-1)/2)(z-i)2+ . . .
 
zi=(i+w)i, where w=z-i
Use the binomial expansion to get
ii+i*i(i-1)(z-i)+0.5*i(i-1)i(i-2)(z-i)2
 
Why not just apply the definition of Taylor series?

[tex]f(z) = z^i[/tex]
[tex]f'(z) = i z^{-1} z^i[/tex]
[tex]f''(z) = i (i-1) z^{-2} z^i[/tex]
...

[tex] f(z) = f(i) + f'(i) (z-i) + f''(i) (z-i)^2 + \cdots[/tex]
[tex] f(z) = i^i + i i^{-1} i^i (z-i) + i (i-1) i^{-2} i^i (z - i)^2 + \cdots[/tex]

...
 
Hurkyl said:
Why not just apply the definition of Taylor series?

[tex]f(z) = z^i[/tex]
[tex]f'(z) = i z^{-1} z^i[/tex]
[tex]f''(z) = i (i-1) z^{-2} z^i[/tex]
...

[tex] f(z) = f(i) + f'(i) (z-i) + f''(i) (z-i)^2 + \cdots[/tex]
[tex] f(z) = i^i + i i^{-1} i^i (z-i) + i (i-1) i^{-2} i^i (z - i)^2 + \cdots[/tex]

...

Firstly, I made a mistake in my OP. It should be at [tex]z = 1 + i[/tex], but that shouldn't make a huge difference. The problem is that terms such as [tex](z)^i[/tex] aren't allowed. We need to restate them as [tex]e^i Log(z)[/tex]. So in your last line, it would have to be:

[tex]f(z) = e^{i Log(i))} + i e^{i Log(i)} (z- i- 1) +\cdots[/tex]

Does that sound right? When my professor asks for the "first three terms" is it just the first three of these?
 
[itex]i^i[/itex] isn't a term of the form [itex]z^i[/itex]. :biggrin: And, as you point out, one usually defines [itex]i^i = \exp(i \mathop{Log} i)[/itex], so one doesn't really need to convert. By the way, you can simplify that expression quite a bit!

Anyways, you can't replace (z-i) with (z-i-1) in this Taylor series any more than you can replace z with (z-1) to get the (wrong) Taylor series: [itex]e^z = 1 + (z-1) + (z-1)^2/2! + (z-1)^3/3! + \cdots[/itex].
 
Ok, basically I'm clearly being an idiot today. I've just not been thinking this through. The first three terms of the correct Tayler series expansion for [tex]z^i[/tex] about [tex]z = 1+i[/tex] should be (I hope) something along the lines of:

[tex]f(z) = e^{i Log(i+1)} + i (1+i)^{-1} e^{i Log(i+1)} (z-1-i) + i (i-1) (1+i)^{-2} e^{i Log(i+1)} (z-1-i)^2[/tex]

That look ok? I realize it can be simplified, I can do that on my own (hopefully).
 

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