Can a^x be negative infinity with i and e?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter coki2000
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinity Negative
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mathematical expression involving complex numbers, specifically the behavior of the function \( a^x \) as \( k \) approaches infinity. The user derives that \( e^{i\pi k} = -1 \) leads to the conclusion that \( y = e^{-\alpha \pi k} e^{i\alpha \ln{a}} \) can yield negative infinity under certain conditions. The final expression indicates that as \( k \) increases, \( x \) approaches infinity, suggesting that \( a^x \) can indeed be negative infinity when \( k \) is odd and approaches infinity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex numbers and Euler's formula
  • Familiarity with logarithmic functions and their properties
  • Knowledge of limits and asymptotic behavior in calculus
  • Basic principles of exponentiation involving complex bases
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Euler's formula and its applications in complex analysis
  • Explore the properties of logarithms in the context of complex numbers
  • Investigate the behavior of limits involving exponential functions
  • Learn about the implications of odd and even integers in complex exponentiation
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone interested in complex analysis and the behavior of exponential functions with complex bases.

coki2000
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
I think about on this and found a result, e^{i\pi k}=e^{-i\pi k}=-1\Rightarrow i\pi k=ln(-1)
a>1 and k=1,2,3...

y=(-a)^{i\alpha }\Rightarrow lny=i\alpha ln(-a)=i\alpha (ln(-1)+lna)=i\alpha (i\pi k+lna)\Rightarrow y=e^{-\alpha \pi k}e^{i\alpha \ln{a}}

Then

\alpha \ln{a}=-\pi \Rightarrow \alpha =\frac{-\pi }{\ln{a}}\Rightarrow e^{-i\pi }e^{\frac{{\pi }^2 k}{\ln{a}}}=-e^{\frac{{\pi }^2 k}{\ln{a}}}

If I choose k as infinity, I get a exponential expression as negative infinity.
Is it right? Please explain to me. Thanks
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Sorry, k would be k=2n-1=1,3,5,7...
 
Not sure what you're doing, but I'd write:
a^x=-k

e^{x\log(a)}=-k

x\log(a)=\log(-k)

x=\frac{\log(-k)}{\log(a)}=\frac{\ln(k)+i(\pi+2 n \pi)}{\log(a)}

and as k\to\infty, x\to \infty+i(\pi+2n\pi)/\log(a)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K