A problem about residues(is matlab wrong?)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of residues for the function 1/(z-i/9)^3 using MATLAB. Participants explore the implications of the results obtained from MATLAB, particularly regarding the presence of multiple residues at the same pole and the relationship to contour integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents MATLAB code to find residues and notes that the output includes residues of 0 and 1 at the same pole, raising questions about the validity of the results.
  • Another participant explains that the residue at a pole is determined by the coefficient of 1/(z-a) in the Laurent expansion, asserting that there should only be one residue, which is zero in this case.
  • A third participant reiterates the explanation about the residue being zero but expresses confusion about why MATLAB reports an additional residue of 1.
  • One participant states they do not use MATLAB and cannot provide assistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there should only be one residue at the pole, which is zero. However, there is disagreement regarding the MATLAB output, with some participants questioning its correctness and others seeking clarification on the discrepancy.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential misunderstandings regarding the calculation of residues and the interpretation of MATLAB's output, but does not resolve the underlying issues or assumptions about the algorithm used.

oahsen
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I have written this simple code fragment to the MATLAB for finding the residue(s) of the function 1/(z-i/9)^3;

b=[1];
a=[1 -i/3 -1/27 i/(729) ];
[r p k]=residue(b,a)

and get the following result;
r =

0
0
1


p =

0.0000 + 0.1111i
0.0000 + 0.1111i
0.0000 + 0.1111i


k =

[]

The poles are true. Function has a pole of order three at z=i/9 . However, there are two different values for the residue: 0 and 1. I could not get the meaning behind that? How can a function have different residue at the same point? Additionally if we assume MATLAB is right then the result of the contour integral should be 2pi*i at the unit circle. However, we can easily show that this contour integral is zero. So, is something wrong with the residue algorithm of MATLAB or there is something I do not consider?
 
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The residue of a pole in a function f(z) at z=a is the coefficient of 1/(z-a) in the Laurent expansion of f(z). In your case, a=i/9 and the coefficeint of 1/(z-i/9) is zero. So the residue (there is only one residue!) is zero.
 
Avodyne said:
The residue of a pole in a function f(z) at z=a is the coefficient of 1/(z-a) in the Laurent expansion of f(z). In your case, a=i/9 and the coefficeint of 1/(z-i/9) is zero. So the residue (there is only one residue!) is zero.

Yes, logically it should have only one residue which is zero. However, what I did not understand is why has MATLAB find also a residue which is 1 at the pol z=i/9 ?
 
I don't use MATLAB so I can't help.
 

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