Evaluating Integral on Circular Contour C: Quick Question on Residues

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a complex integral over a circular contour, specifically focusing on the calculation of residues at various poles within the contour. The integral involves a rational function with simple and double poles.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the residue theorem and the correct method for calculating residues at the poles. There is uncertainty regarding the calculations for the residues at z=1/2 and z=2, with participants questioning the correctness of their results and the methods used.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the correct approach to calculating the residues, specifically noting the need to multiply by (z-1/2) instead of (2z-1). There is acknowledgment of mistakes found in the calculations, but no consensus on the final values of the residues has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of evaluating the integral using the residue theorem and are exploring the implications of their calculations on the final result. There is an emphasis on ensuring the correct application of formulas for residues at multiple poles.

kreil
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Homework Statement


Evaluate the following integral, given that C is the circular contour of radius greater than 2 centered at the origin.

[tex]I_a=\int_C\frac{z^2-1}{(2z-1)(z^2-4)^2}dz[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I has a simple pole at z=1/2 and two double poles, at z=2 and z=-2...all of which are enclosed by the contour C. By the residue theorem,

[tex]I_a=2 \pi i \left[ Res[f(1/2)]+Res[f(2)]+Res[f(-2)] \right][/tex]

My problem is just that the answers I am getting for the residues are strange...

[tex]Res[f(1/2)]=\lim_{z \rightarrow 1/2} (2z-1) \frac{z^2-1}{(2z-1)(z^2-4)^2}=\lim_{z \rightarrow 1/2} \frac{z^2-1}{(z^2-4)^2}= \frac{-3/4}{225/16}=-\frac{12}{225}[/tex]

Is this answer correct? When I compute the residue for z=2 I get an even weirder answer (10/192) and these strange answers are making me question whether what I'm doing is correct (note that I used the multipole formula for z=2)
 
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It's not quite correct. You need to multiply by (z-1/2), not (2z-1). But I don't see anything weird about those answers. I didn't get the same thing you did for z=2, though.
 
Dick said:
It's not quite correct. You need to multiply by (z-1/2), not (2z-1). But I don't see anything weird about those answers. I didn't get the same thing you did for z=2, though.

Hm, ok. So for the 1/2 residue the answer is -6/225, correct?

I found a mistake in the z=2, thanks.
 
kreil said:
Hm, ok. So for the 1/2 residue the answer is -6/225, correct?

I found a mistake in the z=2, thanks.

That's what I get. Or -2/75.
 

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