Bounding modulus of complex logarithm times complex power function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around bounding the modulus of the expression ##(\log(z))^j z^\lambda##, where ##j## is a non-negative integer and ##\lambda## is a complex number. Participants explore the behavior of this expression as ##z## approaches both large values and the origin, considering the implications of branch cuts in the logarithm function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant claims that the modulus can be bounded above by ##c|z|^l## for some integer ##l## and constant ##c##, under the assumption of a specific branch of the logarithm.
  • Another participant questions whether the interest lies in large values of ##z## or also near the origin, indicating a need for clarity on the scope of the problem.
  • A subsequent reply clarifies that the bounding is indeed intended to hold near the origin, providing a series of inequalities to support this claim.
  • One participant suggests that if ##|\log(z)| \leq c|z|^n##, then it follows that ##|\log(z)^j z^\lambda| \leq c^j |z|^{(nj+\lambda)}##, proposing a simplification of the problem.
  • Another participant discusses applying L'Hôpital's rule to analyze the limit of ##\log(z)/z^n## as ##z## approaches zero, suggesting that this leads to a bound on ##|\log(z)|## for small ##z##.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions under which the bounding holds, particularly regarding the behavior of the expression as ##z## approaches the origin versus large values. There is no consensus on a definitive approach or conclusion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the behavior of logarithmic functions and the implications of branch cuts, which may affect the validity of the proposed bounds. The limits and inequalities presented depend on specific conditions that are not universally agreed upon.

psie
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TL;DR
In my textbook (Ordinary Differential Equations by Andersson and Böiers), they claim that ##|(\log(z))^jz^\lambda|## can be bounded above by ##c|z|^l## for some integer ##l## and constant ##c##. I have a hard time confirming this.
It is claimed that the modulus of ##(\log(z))^jz^\lambda##, where ##j## is a positive integer (or ##0##) and ##\lambda## a complex number, can be bounded above by ##c|z|^l## for some integer ##l## and constant ##c##. Assume we are on the branch ##0\leq \mathrm{arg}(z)<2\pi## (yes, ##0## included; hence a discontinuous logarithm). Anyway, here's what I've tried so far.

Let ##\lambda_1## and ##\lambda_2## be the real and imaginary part of ##\lambda## respectively. By definition, ##\log(z)=\ln(|z|)+i\mathrm{arg}(z)##. Then $$|(\log(z))^j|=|\log(z)|^j\leq\left(\sqrt{\ln(|z|)^2+4\pi^2}\right)^j,$$ and $$|z^\lambda|=|e^{\lambda\log(z)}|=e^{\lambda_1\ln(|z|)}e^{-\lambda_2\arg(z)}=|z|^{\lambda_1}e^{-\lambda_2\arg(z)}.$$

Then someone has pointed to the limit ##\lim _{x\to \infty }\frac{(\ln x)^r}{x^k}=0## for ##r,k>0##, yet I don't see how we can write my simplification as this limit, if I have understood things right. Maybe there's another approach. Grateful for any help.
 
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Are you only interested in large values of z or is this supposed to be true near the origin as well?
 
Office_Shredder said:
Are you only interested in large values of z or is this supposed to be true near the origin as well?
I forgot to mention, it's supposed to be true near the origin, so for ##|z|>0## small. I have found a solution elsewhere and I think there's no harm in posting it here. Write ##\lambda=x+iy##. So

\begin{align} |(\log z)^j| &=|\log|z|+i\arg z|^j \nonumber \\ &\le\big(\big|\log|z|\big|+2\pi\big)^j \nonumber \\ &\le\left(\frac{1}{|z|}+2\pi\right)^j \nonumber \\ &\le\left(\frac{2}{|z|}\right)^j \nonumber \end{align}

The first inequality is the triangle inequality, second follows from ##ye^{-y}<1## when ##y=-\log|z|>0## is large and the third one is ##2\pi<\frac{1}{|z|}## for ##|z|## small. Moreover,

\begin{align} |z^\lambda| &=|\exp(\lambda\log z)| \nonumber \\ &=\exp\big(\operatorname{Re}(\lambda\log z)\big) \nonumber \\ &=\exp\big(x\log|z|-y\arg z\big) \nonumber \\ &=|z|^xe^{-y\arg z} \nonumber \\ &\le|z|^{\lfloor x\rfloor}e^{-y\arg z} \nonumber \\ &\le|z|^{\lfloor x\rfloor}e^{\max\{0,-2\pi y\}}. \nonumber \end{align}

Thus, ##|(\log z)^jz^\lambda|\le 2^je^{\max\{0,-2\pi y\}}|z|^{\lfloor x\rfloor-j}##.
 
I guess we can simplify this. If ##|\log(z)| \leq c|z|^n## then ##|\log(z)^j z^\lambda| \leq c^j |z|^{(nj+\lambda)}##. So it suffices to just consider ##\log(z)##.

Ignoring the discontinuity with the branch cut, we can try to just apply l'hospital's rule.

##\lim_{z\to 0} \log(z)/z^n## (with n negative, so you get an infinity over infinity) Taking one derivative gives ##(1/z)/( (nz^{n-1}) = 1/(nz^n)##. So even with ##n=-1## we get that this limit is zero, and hence ##|\log(z)| \leq |z^{-1}|## for small enough ##z##
 
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Office_Shredder said:
I guess we can simplify this. If ##|\log(z)| \leq c|z|^n## then ##|\log(z)^j z^\lambda| \leq c^j |z|^{(nj+\lambda)}##.

A little more work to do, since \lambda is complex. \begin{split}<br /> |z^\lambda| &amp;= |e^{\Re(\lambda \ln z)}| \\<br /> &amp;= |z|^{\Re(\lambda)}e^{-\Im(\lambda)\arg z} \end{split} and having chosen your branch you can remove the dependence on \arg z by maximising -\Im(\lambda) \arg(z).
 
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