Undergrad A question about the log of a rational function

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The discussion centers on computing the logarithm of a rational function, specifically $$f(x)=\frac{(1+ix)^{n}-1}{(1-ix)^{n}-1}\left(\frac{1-ix}{1+ix}\right)^{n/2}$$ for positive x. The participants are trying to reconcile their calculations with the results from Wolfram Alpha, noting discrepancies in the expected form of $$\log f(x)$$ and the presence of jumps in the graph. They highlight the multivalued nature of the complex logarithm as a potential reason for these jumps, particularly of order $$2\pi$$. The conversation emphasizes the need to identify the exact locations of these discontinuities to resolve the differences in results. Ultimately, the focus remains on correcting the analytical calculations and understanding the graphical behavior of $$\log f(x)$$.
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We have the rational function :
$$f(x)=\frac{(1+ix)^{n}-1}{(1-ix)^{n}-1}\left(\frac{1-ix}{1+ix}\right)^{n/2}\;\;\;,\;\;n\in \mathbb{Z}^{+}$$
It's not hard to prove that :
$$\frac{(1+ix)^{n}-1}{(1-ix)^{n}-1}=(-1)^{n}\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}\frac{x+i(\xi_{n}^{k}-1)}{x-i(\xi_{n}^{k}-1)}\;\;\;,\;\;\xi_{n}^{k}=e^{2\pi i k/n}$$
Now we want to compute $$\log f(x)$$ for x>0. The logarithm of the individual factors can be written as :

$$\log\left(\frac{x+i(\xi_{n}^{k}-1)}{x-i(\xi_{n}^{k}-1)}\right)=2i\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{1-\xi_{n}^{k}}\right)+i\pi;\;\;\;\;x>0$$
So, one would expect:
$$\log f(x)=-in\tan^{-1}(x)-i\pi+2i\pi n+2i\sum_{k=1}^{n-1}\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{1-\xi_{n}^{k}}\right)$$
But it looks nothing like what wolframalpha returns. What am i doing wrong here ?
 
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It might be helpful to say what wolfram alpha returns.
 
graphically, there seems to be a difference between what I've calculated and the plot of ##\log f(x)## by multiples of ##2\pi## . but i am not able to locate the exact locations of the jumps.
 
You spent so much effort to type in post #1 and then you fail with some copies and pastes or links?
I hope micromass' crystal ball isn't out of order like mine currently is.
 
fresh_42 said:
You spent so much effort to type in post #1 and then you fail with some copies and pastes or links?
I hope micromass' crystal ball isn't out of order like mine currently is.
have you ever used WF ? it doesn't return results for general n ! and posting one example won't be of help if it doesn't say where the jumps are ! thanks for the very helpful and constructive post anyways !
 
If you refuse to give further information, then there is not much we can do. All I can say is that the complex logarithm is multivalued, so this can explain jumps of order ##2\pi##.
 
micromass said:
If you refuse to give further information, then there is not much we can do. All I can say is that the complex logarithm is multivalued, so this can explain jumps of order ##2\pi##.
where should i expect the jumps to happen ? that's where i am stuck. and we can just forget about the graphical discrepancy and correct my analytic calculation.
 
Why don't you show us the graphics you got? I won't reply further to this thread if you don't show us what you did in wolframalpha.
 
  • #10
it boils down to finding the discontinuities of ##\log f(x)##
 

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