Convert Partial Fractions & Taylor Series: Solving Complex Equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving complex equations using partial fractions and Taylor series. Participants are exploring the expansion of functions in different regions of convergence, specifically for the complex variable z.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial step of expanding functions using partial fractions and the subsequent need to find series expansions for different regions of z. There is uncertainty about how to correctly approach the expansion for the region |z| > 2 and how to derive the series for the region 1 < |z| < 2.

Discussion Status

Some participants have identified errors in their previous expansions and have successfully derived the correct series for |z| > 2. However, there remains a question regarding the approach to finding the series for the region 1 < |z| < 2, indicating ongoing exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is a focus on ensuring that series expansions converge in their respective regions.

dykuma
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Homework Statement


upload_2016-11-29_13-28-43.png

and the solution (just to check my work)
upload_2016-11-29_13-36-0.png

Homework Equations


None specifically. There seems to be many ways to solve these problems, but the one used in class seemed to be partial fractions and Taylor series.

The Attempt at a Solution


The first step seems to be expanding this using partial fractions, giving me
upload_2016-11-29_13-32-27.png

Now, for 0 < |z| < 1, we expand each of the fractions in the parenthesis in powers of z.
upload_2016-11-29_13-34-4.png

This is the Laurent series for f (z) which is valid in the region 0 < |z| < 1. I then need to get the other two series, which the next one I should try to get is for the region |z| > 2. To get that, it is suggested that I write the two partial fractions as:
upload_2016-11-29_13-41-23.png

However I am not sure what to do with this. I have seen things saying I should expand these two functions, and then add them together, however this does not give me the answer for the region |z| > 2, (in fact, it just gives me the first series, but a degree higher, which makes sense).
 
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dykuma said:
I then need to get the other two series, which the next one I should try to get is for the region |z| > 2. To get that, it is suggested that I write the two partial fractions as:
View attachment 109656
However I am not sure what to do with this. I have seen things saying I should expand these two functions, and then add them together, however this does not give me the answer for the region |z| > 2, (in fact, it just gives me the first series, but a degree higher, which makes sense).
The reason for writing
$$-\frac{1}{z-1} = -\frac 1z\left(\frac{1}{1-\frac 1z}\right)$$ and then expanding is because when ##|z|>1##, you have ##|1/z| < 1## so a series in positive powers of (1/z) will converge. If you look at the way you expanded 1/(z-2), you should see that you'll get a series of positive powers of (z/2), which won't converge for |z|>2.
 
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vela said:
The reason for writing
$$-\frac{1}{z-1} = -\frac 1z\left(\frac{1}{1-\frac 1z}\right)$$ and then expanding is because when ##|z|>1##, you have ##|1/z| < 1## so a series in positive powers of (1/z) will converge. If you look at the way you expanded 1/(z-2), you should see that you'll get a series of positive powers of (z/2), which won't converge for |z|>2.

Thanks! Right, I okay, I see what I did wrong there, and I was able to get the correct series solution for |z| > 2.

The only question I have left is how to get the 1< |z| < 2 series. I am not sure where to start there.
 
dykuma said:
The only question I have left is how to get the 1< |z| < 2 series. I am not sure where to start there.
$$\frac{1}{z}\left(\frac{1}{z-2} - \frac{1}{z-1}\right)= \frac{1}{z}\left(\frac{1}{-2}\cdot\frac{1}{1-\frac{z}{2}} - \frac{1}{z}\cdot\frac{1}{1-\frac{1}{z}}\right)$$
For ##1<|z|<2##, we have, ##\left|\frac{1}{z}\right|<1## and ##\left|\frac{z}{2}\right|<1##. So you can now use the formula for infinite geometric series.
 

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