Finding $a_n$s for $f(z)$ in a Taylor Series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the coefficients \(a_n\) in the Taylor series expansion of the function \(f(z) = e^{\frac{1}{1-z}}\) around \(z=0\). Participants explore the nature of the function, its singularities, and the methodology for deriving the coefficients within the context of complex analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that \(f(z)\) has an essential singularity at \(z_0=1\) and is analytic in the unit disk, prompting the search for the Taylor series coefficients \(a_n\).
  • It is proposed that the coefficients can be computed using the formula \(a_n = \frac{1}{n!} \frac{d^n}{dz^n} e^{\frac{1}{1-z}} \big|_{z=0}\).
  • Participants provide specific values for \(a_0\), \(a_1\), \(a_2\), and \(a_3\) based on derivatives of \(f(z)\), with some discrepancies noted in the calculations.
  • One participant mentions that the coefficients can be generated using software like Maxima, which produces the first nine terms of the series.
  • Another participant introduces the Sloane sequence A000262, suggesting that the coefficients \(a_n\) relate to this sequence and provides a recurrence relation for it.
  • There is a discussion about the limit \(\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}\) and its implications for the nature of singularities in functions with Taylor expansions.
  • Some participants propose examples of functions that meet specific criteria regarding essential singularities and the behavior of the limit of the coefficients.
  • A conjecture is suggested regarding the relationship between the existence of the limit and the nature of singularities in analytic functions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the limit \(\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}\) and its implications for the existence of essential singularities. There is no consensus on the existence of a general formula for \(a_n\) or the conditions under which certain limits hold.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations and assumptions regarding the coefficients and their derivations are not fully resolved, leading to potential discrepancies in the proposed values and methods. The relationship between the coefficients and the Sloane sequence is also noted but not fully explored.

pantboio
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Consider the function $$f(z)=e^{\frac{1}{1-z}}$$ It has an essential singularity at $z_0=1$ and hence it can be expanded in a Laurent series at $z_0$. But I'm interested in Taylor expansion. The function is analytic in the unit open disc at the origin, so I'm looking for $a_n$ where $f(z)=\displaystyle\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n$ for $|z|<1$. How can i find $a_n$'s?
 
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pantboio said:
Consider the function $$f(z)=e^{\frac{1}{1-z}}$$ It has an essential singularity at $z_0=1$ and hence it can be expanded in a Laurent series at $z_0$. But I'm interested in Taylor expansion. The function is analytic in the unit open disc at the origin, so I'm looking for $a_n$ where $f(z)=\displaystyle\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n$ for $|z|<1$. How can i find $a_n$'s?

They will be the coefficients from the Maclaurin expansion (Taylor series about \(z_0=0\) )

CB
 
pantboio said:
Consider the function $$f(z)=e^{\frac{1}{1-z}}$$ It has an essential singularity at $z_0=1$ and hence it can be expanded in a Laurent series at $z_0$. But I'm interested in Taylor expansion. The function is analytic in the unit open disc at the origin, so I'm looking for $a_n$ where $f(z)=\displaystyle\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n$ for $|z|<1$. How can i find $a_n$'s?

The coefficient of order n of the Taylor Series of $f(z)$ is given by...

$\displaystyle a_{n} = \frac{1}{n!}\ \frac{d^{n}}{d z^{n}} e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \text{in}\ z=0$ (1)

... so that we have ...$\displaystyle f(z)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \implies a_{0}=e$

$\displaystyle f^{(1)}(z)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \frac{1}{(1-z)^{2}} \implies a_{1}=e$

$\displaystyle f^{(2)}(z)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \{\frac{1}{(1-z)^{4}} + \frac{2}{(1-z)^{3}}\ \} \implies a_{2}=e\ \frac{3}{2}$

$\displaystyle f^{(3)}(z)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \{\frac{6}{(1-z)^{4}} + \frac{6}{(1-z)^{5}} + \frac{1}{(1-z)^{6}}\ \} \implies a_{2}=e\ \frac{13}{6}$

Of course it is possible to proceed... may be that with little more efforts a general formula for the $a_{n}$ can be found...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
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chisigma said:
The coefficient of order n of the Taylor Series of $f(z)$ is given by...

$\displaystyle a_{n} = \frac{1}{n!}\ \frac{d^{n}}{d z^{n}} e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \text{in}\ z=0$ (1)

... so that we have ...$\displaystyle f(x)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \implies a_{0}=e$

$\displaystyle f^{(1)}(x)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \frac{1}{(1-z)^{2}} \implies a_{1}=e$

$\displaystyle f^{(2)}(x)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \{\frac{1}{(1-z)^{4}} + \frac{2}{(1-z)^{3}}\ \} \implies a_{2}=e\ \frac{3}{2}$

$\displaystyle f^{(3)}(x)= e^ {\frac{1}{1-z}}\ \{\frac{1}{(1-z)^{4}} + \frac{2}{(1-z)^{3}} + \frac{4}{(1-z)^{5}} + \frac{6}{(1-z)^{3}}\ \} \implies a_{2}=e\ \frac{13}{6}$

Of course it is possible to proceed... may be that with little more efforts a general formula for the $a_{n}$ can be found...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

(you have a typo, you have a power of 3 where there should be a power of 6, also you are confusing the use of x and z)

That was the easy part which I am sure the OP could do for themselves. In fact this is a purely mechanisable process; Maxima gives the first nine terms:

\[f(z)= e+e\,z+\frac{3\,e\,{z}^{2}}{2}+\frac{13\,e\,{z}^{3}}{6}+\frac{73\,e\,{z}^{4}}{24}+\frac{167\,e\,{z}^{5}}{40}+\frac{4051\,e\,{z}^{6}}{720}+\frac{37633 \, e \, {z}^{7}}{5040}+\frac{43817\,e\,{z}^{8}}{4480}+...\]

Finding a general formula for \(a_n\) is the tricky part, though induction looks promising in this case.

CB
 
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CaptainBlack said:
Maxima gives the first nine terms:

\[f(z)= e+e\,z+\frac{3\,e\,{z}^{2}}{2}+\frac{13\,e\,{z}^{3}}{6}+\frac{73\,e\,{z}^{4}}{24}+\frac{167\,e\,{z}^{5}}{40}+\frac{4051\,e\,{z}^{6}}{720}+\frac{37633 \, e \, {z}^{7}}{5040}+\frac{43817\,e\,{z}^{8}}{4480}+...\]
The coefficient of $z^n$ is $\dfrac{eA_n}{n!}$, where $A_n$ is the $n$th term in the Sloane sequence A000262. That link gives a number of other contexts in which the same sequence occurs. It also gives a formula for $A_n$ in terms of a certain confluent hypergeometric function.
 
CaptainBlack said:
(you have a typo, you have a power of 3 where there should be a power of 6, also you are confusing the use of x and z)

That was the easy part which I am sure the OP could do for themselves. In fact this is a purely mechanisable process; Maxima gives the first nine terms:

\[f(z)= e+e\,z+\frac{3\,e\,{z}^{2}}{2}+\frac{13\,e\,{z}^{3}}{6}+\frac{73\,e\,{z}^{4}}{24}+\frac{167\,e\,{z}^{5}}{40}+\frac{4051\,e\,{z}^{6}}{720}+\frac{37633 \, e \, {z}^{7}}{5040}+\frac{43817\,e\,{z}^{8}}{4480}+...\]

Finding a general formula for \(a_n\) is the tricky part, though induction looks promising in this case.

CB
i was looking for a a general formula for $a_n$, in order to compute the limit
$$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$$
 
pantboio said:
i was looking for a a general formula for $a_n$, in order to compute the limit
$$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$$
The Sloane link gives the recurrence relation $A_n = (2n-1)A_{n-1} - (n-1)(n-2)A_{n-2}$, from which $\dfrac{A_n}{A_{n-1}} \approx n+1$. If you then put $a_n= \dfrac{eA_n}{n!}$, you get $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = 1.$
 
Opalg said:
The Sloane link gives the recurrence relation $A_n = (2n-1)A_{n-1} - (n-1)(n-2)A_{n-2}$, from which $\dfrac{A_n}{A_{n-1}} \approx n+1$. If you then put $a_n= \dfrac{eA_n}{n!}$, you get $\displaystyle \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = 1.$
unfortunately, this is the opposite of what i was hoping, since I'm looking for a function $f$, holomorphic in an open set containing the closed unit disc, with an essential singularity at $z_0$ with $|z_0|=1$, with taylor expansion $\sum a_nz^n$ in the unit open disk and such that $\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}\neq z_0$
 
pantboio said:
i'm looking for a function $f$, holomorphic in an open set containing the closed unit disc, with an essential singularity at $z_0$ with $|z_0|=1$, with taylor expansion $\sum a_nz^n$ in the unit open disk and such that $\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}\neq z_0$
Interesting! You can get an example of this in a rather trivial way with the function $\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$. This, being an analytic function of $z^2$, will have $a_n=0$ whenever $n$ is odd. So $\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ will be alternately undefined and 0, and $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ will not exist.

But I'm guessing that what you want is for the limit $z_0 = \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ to exist, but for $z_0$ not to be an essential singularity. My first attempt was the function $(1-z)\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$. For that function, $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = -1$, but unfortunately $-1$ is an essential singularity. Similarly, the function $(1+iz-z^2-iz^3)\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^4}\Bigr)$ has $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = i$, but $i$ is an essential singularity. In the same way, for any root of unity $z_0$ you can construct a function analytic in the unit disc, with $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = z_0$, but with an essential singularity at $z_0$.

Those examples somehow give the impression of something that is meant to happen. It makes me wonder whether instead of looking for a counterexample you should be looking for a theorem. Conjecture: If $\displaystyle f(z) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n$ is analytic in the open unit disc, with an essential singularity somewhere on the unit circle, and the limit $z_0 = \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ exists, then $f(z)$ has an essential singularity at $z_0.$
 
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  • #10
Opalg said:
Interesting! You can get an example of this in a rather trivial way with the function $\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$. This, being an analytic function of $z^2$, will have $a_n=0$ whenever $n$ is odd. So $\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ will be alternately undefined and 0, and $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ will not exist.

But I'm guessing that what you want is for the limit $z_0 = \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ to exist, but for $z_0$ not to be an essential singularity. My first attempt was the function $(1-z)\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$. For that function, $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = -1$, but unfortunately $-1$ is an essential singularity. Similarly, the function $(1+iz-z^2-iz^3)\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^4}\Bigr)$ has $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = i$, but $i$ is an essential singularity. In the same way, for any root of unity $z_0$ you can construct a function analytic in the unit disc, with $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = z_0$, but with an essential singularity at $z_0$.

Those examples somehow give the impression of something that is meant to happen. It makes me wonder whether instead of looking for a counterexample you should be looking for a theorem. Conjecture: If $\displaystyle f(z) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n$ is analytic in the open unit disc, with an essential singularity somewhere on the unit circle, and the limit $z_0 = \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ exists, then $f(z)$ has an essential singularity at $z_0.$

Thank you for all explanations and examples. What i was originally requested to prove was the following: let $f$ be analytic in the closed unit disc, except for an isolated singularity (of not specified type) on the unit circle. Then prove that $\lim\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}=z_0$. I started from the case $z_0$= simple pole, and i was able to prove that, and adapting the same argument i could prove the same for a pole of arbitrary order. Then i disprove the fact for $z_0$ removable. Finally i tried to prove/disprove for essential. But you gave me that counterexample, hence the fact is definitely false if $z_0$ is not a pole. Maybe my professor simply forgot to specify that the singularity should be a pole.
 
  • #11
If f(*) is analytic in $z=0$ and has a singularity in $z_{0}$ on the unit circle and its Taylor series $\displaystyle \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_{n}\ z^{n}$ converges for any $|z|<1$ and diverges in $z_{0}$, then for the ratio test it must be $\displaystyle \ |\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}}\ z|<1$ for all $|z|<1$. Combining all these results we obtain...

$\displaystyle \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \lim_{z \rightarrow z_{0}\ , |z|<1} \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}}\ z = 1 \implies \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \frac{a_{n}}{a_{n+1}} = z_{0}$ (1)

If the Taylor series converges in $z=z_{0}$ it has to be examined if the (1) is valid or not...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
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  • #12
Opalg said:
Interesting! You can get an example of this in a rather trivial way with the function $\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$. This, being an analytic function of $z^2$, will have $a_n=0$ whenever $n$ is odd. So $\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ will be alternately undefined and 0, and $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ will not exist.

But I'm guessing that what you want is for the limit $z_0 = \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ to exist, but for $z_0$ not to be an essential singularity. My first attempt was the function $(1-z)\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$. For that function, $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = -1$, but unfortunately $-1$ is an essential singularity. Similarly, the function $(1+iz-z^2-iz^3)\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^4}\Bigr)$ has $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = i$, but $i$ is an essential singularity. In the same way, for any root of unity $z_0$ you can construct a function analytic in the unit disc, with $\displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}} = z_0$, but with an essential singularity at $z_0$.

Those examples somehow give the impression of something that is meant to happen. It makes me wonder whether instead of looking for a counterexample you should be looking for a theorem. Conjecture: If $\displaystyle f(z) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nz^n$ is analytic in the open unit disc, with an essential singularity somewhere on the unit circle, and the limit $z_0 = \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{a_n}{a_{n+1}}$ exists, then $f(z)$ has an essential singularity at $z_0.$
I realized just now that $\exp\Bigl(\dfrac1{1-z^2}\Bigr)$ has two essential singularities on the unit circle, while I'm searching for a counterexample with only one essential singularity
 

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