Finding the Laurent series and residue of a function

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the Laurent series and residue for the function $$ \frac{z^2}{z^2 - 1} $$ at the point $$ z_0 = 1 $$. The residue is determined to be $$ \frac{1}{2} $$ by using partial fraction decomposition. The challenge lies in expanding the function into a Laurent series, which includes both positive and negative powers of $$ (z - z_0) $$, and requires substituting $$ u = (z - 1) $$ to facilitate the expansion around $$ u = 0 $$.

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  • Understanding of Laurent series and their coefficients
  • Familiarity with partial fraction decomposition
  • Knowledge of complex functions and residues
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions involving variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to perform partial fraction decomposition in complex analysis
  • Study the method for expanding functions in Laurent series
  • Explore the concept of residues in complex analysis
  • Practice substituting variables to simplify series expansions
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Students studying complex analysis, particularly those focusing on series expansions and residues, as well as educators looking for examples of Laurent series applications.

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Homework Statement


Find the Laurent series for the given function about the specified point. Also, give the residue of the function at the point.

$$ \frac{z^2}{z^2 - 1}, z_0 = 1 $$

Homework Equations


A Laurent expansion is comparable to a power series, except that it includes negative powers as well:
$$ \sum_{n = - \infty}^\infty a_k (z - z_0)^n $$
Where ##a_k## are the coefficients of the expansion.

The residue of f at ##z_0## is the coefficient of ##(z-z_0)^{-1}## in the Laurent expansion.


The Attempt at a Solution



I was able to find the residue with moderate success by simply expanding the fraction:
$$ \frac{z^2}{z^2 - 1} = \frac{z^2 - 1 + 1}{z^2 -1} = \frac{(z+1)(z-1) + 1}{(z+1)(z-1)}$$

Afterwards I simplified this fraction by splitting it and then using partial fraction decomposition to give me:
$$ -\frac{1}{2(z+1)} + \frac{1}{2(z-1)} + 1 $$
Since we are finding the residue at ##z_0 = 1## of this function, then we look at the term that has ##(z - 1)## in its denominator, which would be ##\frac{1}{2}##.

The next part would be to find the Laurent expansion of this equation, to which neither I nor my classmates had much luck. One example in the textbook suggested that I expand the numerator in powers of (z-1), which would also be something I don't understand how to do.
 
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scamuicune said:

Homework Statement


Find the Laurent series for the given function about the specified point. Also, give the residue of the function at the point.

$$ \frac{z^2}{z^2 - 1}, z_0 = 1 $$

Homework Equations


A Laurent expansion is comparable to a power series, except that it includes negative powers as well:
$$ \sum_{n = - \infty}^\infty a_k (z - z_0)^n $$
Where ##a_k## are the coefficients of the expansion.

The residue of f at ##z_0## is the coefficient of ##(z-z_0)^{-1}## in the Laurent expansion.


The Attempt at a Solution



I was able to find the residue with moderate success by simply expanding the fraction:
$$ \frac{z^2}{z^2 - 1} = \frac{z^2 - 1 + 1}{z^2 -1} = \frac{(z+1)(z-1) + 1}{(z+1)(z-1)}$$

Afterwards I simplified this fraction by splitting it and then using partial fraction decomposition to give me:
$$ -\frac{1}{2(z+1)} + \frac{1}{2(z-1)} + 1 $$
Since we are finding the residue at ##z_0 = 1## of this function, then we look at the term that has ##(z - 1)## in its denominator, which would be ##\frac{1}{2}##.

The next part would be to find the Laurent expansion of this equation, to which neither I nor my classmates had much luck. One example in the textbook suggested that I expand the numerator in powers of (z-1), which would also be something I don't understand how to do.

If you want to expand in powers of (z-1) write u=(z-1). Then z=u+1. Substitute that into the function so you can write it totally in terms of u. Then try and expand around u=0.
 

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