Finding the Coefficient in a Power Series Sum

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of derivatives of a power series defined by the function \( f(z) = e^{\alpha \ln(z+1)} \), where \( \alpha \) is a non-zero real number. Participants explore the expression for the \( n \)-th derivative \( f^n(0) \) and the implications of using complex numbers in logarithmic functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a partial solution for \( f^n(z) \) and expresses confusion regarding the coefficients in the derivatives, particularly when \( n=1 \).
  • Another participant points out that the equality \( e^{\alpha \ln(z+1)} = (z+1)^{\alpha} \) does not hold when \( z \) is not a real number, citing the differences in logarithmic properties between real and complex numbers.
  • Further elaboration on the logarithmic expression shows that \( \ln(z) = \ln|z| + i \text{Arg}(z) \), indicating that the complex logarithm introduces additional considerations.
  • Participants discuss the implications of these differences, emphasizing that \( \alpha \ln(z+1) \) and \( \ln((z+1)^{\alpha}) \) are not equivalent in the complex domain.
  • One participant seeks guidance on how to proceed with the problem, indicating ongoing uncertainty.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the logarithmic transformations in the context of complex numbers, and there is no consensus on how to resolve the confusion regarding the derivatives.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the assumptions made about the logarithmic properties when extending from real to complex numbers, as well as the need for careful handling of derivatives in power series.

aruwin
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Hi.
I have another question about power series. I am having problem with the summarizing of the sum (writing in $\sum_{}^{}$ form).

Here is the question:
Let $\alpha$ be a real number that is not 0.
Let $f(z)=e^{{\alpha}Ln(z+1)}$
For integer n>0, find $f^n(0)$. My partial solution:
$f(z)=e^{{\alpha}Ln(z+1)}$$=(z+1)^{\alpha}$

$$f^1(z)=\alpha(z+1)^{\alpha-1}$$

$$f^2(z)=\alpha(\alpha-1)(z+1)^{\alpha-2}$$

$$f^3(z)=\alpha(\alpha-1)(\alpha-2)(z+1)^{\alpha-3}$$

In the answer, $f^n(z) = \alpha(\alpha-1)...(\alpha-n+1)(z+1)^{\alpha-n}$.

I am confused because when n=1,
$$f^1(z)=\alpha(z+1)^{\alpha-1}$$
but in the answer, there is the coefficient $(\alpha-1)$, this is where I am confused.
 
Last edited:
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aruwin said:
Hi.
I have another question about power series. I am having problem with the summarizing of the sum (writing in $\sum_{}^{}$ form).

Here is the question:
Let $\alpha$ be a real number that is not 0.
Let $f(z)=e^{{\alpha}Ln(z+1)}$
For integer n>0, find $f^n(0)$. My partial solution:
$f(z)=e^{{\alpha}Ln(z+1)}$$=(z+1)^{\alpha}$

$$f^1(z)=\alpha(z+1)^{\alpha-1}$$

$$f^2(z)=\alpha(\alpha-1)(z+1)^{\alpha-2}$$

$$f^3(z)=\alpha(\alpha-1)(\alpha-2)(z+1)^{\alpha-3}$$

The answer for $f^n(z)$ is
$$\alpha(\alpha-1)...(\alpha-n+1)(z+1)^{\alpha-n}$$.

I am confused because if the above answer is $f^n(z)$,
then when n=1,
$$f^1(z)=\alpha(z+1)^{\alpha-1}$$
but in the answer, there is the coefficient $(\alpha-1)$, this is where I am confused.

If z is not a real number, $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathrm{e}^{\alpha \, \mathrm{Ln}\,\left( z + 1 \right) } \neq \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha } \end{align*}$ as the logarithm laws in general do not carry from the real numbers to the complex numbers...
 
Prove It said:
If z is not a real number, $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathrm{e}^{\alpha \, \mathrm{Ln}\,\left( z + 1 \right) } \neq \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha } \end{align*}$ as the logarithm laws in general do not carry from the real numbers to the complex numbers...

but Lnz=ln|z| + iArgz
 
aruwin said:
but Lnz=ln|z| + iArgz

And that should be enough to show that $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \alpha \, \textrm{Ln}\, \left( z + 1 \right) \neq \textrm{Ln}\,\left[ \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha } \right] \end{align*}$, rather...

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \alpha\,\textrm{Ln}\,\left( z + 1 \right) &= \alpha \left[ \ln{ \left| z +1 \right| } + \mathrm{i}\,\mathrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \right] \\ &= \alpha \ln{ \left| z + 1 \right| } + \mathrm{i}\,\alpha\,\textrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \\ &= \ln{ \left( \left| z + 1 \right| ^{\alpha} \right) } + \mathrm{i}\,\alpha\,\textrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \end{align*}$

which is of course, NOTHING like $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \textrm{Ln}\,{ \left[ \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha} \right] } \end{align*}$...
 
Prove It said:
And that should be enough to show that $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \alpha \, \textrm{Ln}\, \left( z + 1 \right) \neq \textrm{Ln}\,\left[ \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha } \right] \end{align*}$, rather...

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \alpha\,\textrm{Ln}\,\left( z + 1 \right) &= \alpha \left[ \ln{ \left| z +1 \right| } + \mathrm{i}\,\mathrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \right] \\ &= \alpha \ln{ \left| z + 1 \right| } + \mathrm{i}\,\alpha\,\textrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \\ &= \ln{ \left( \left| z + 1 \right| ^{\alpha} \right) } + \mathrm{i}\,\alpha\,\textrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \end{align*}$

which is of course, NOTHING like $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \textrm{Ln}\,{ \left[ \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha} \right] } \end{align*}$...

Then how should I start?
 
Prove It said:
And that should be enough to show that $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \alpha \, \textrm{Ln}\, \left( z + 1 \right) \neq \textrm{Ln}\,\left[ \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha } \right] \end{align*}$, rather...

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \alpha\,\textrm{Ln}\,\left( z + 1 \right) &= \alpha \left[ \ln{ \left| z +1 \right| } + \mathrm{i}\,\mathrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \right] \\ &= \alpha \ln{ \left| z + 1 \right| } + \mathrm{i}\,\alpha\,\textrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \\ &= \ln{ \left( \left| z + 1 \right| ^{\alpha} \right) } + \mathrm{i}\,\alpha\,\textrm{Arg}\,\left( z + 1 \right) \end{align*}$

which is of course, NOTHING like $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \textrm{Ln}\,{ \left[ \left( z + 1 \right) ^{\alpha} \right] } \end{align*}$...

I checked this on wolfram:
is e'^''('a ln'('x'+'yi')'')' '=' '('x'+'yi')''^'a - Wolfram|Alpha
 

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