Finite product of complex terms

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a general formula for a finite product of complex terms, specifically \( P_n = \prod_{x=0}^{n} \left( \sqrt{x} + i\right) \). The original poster is exploring this in the context of a geometrical problem related to a spiral that connects vertices of orthogonal triangles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive a formula and is considering the real and imaginary parts of the product. They mention working in log space and encountering challenges with arc-cosine sums. Another participant suggests a formatting adjustment for LaTeX display.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with the original poster expressing difficulty in finding a solution and noting that the problem is related to the Spiral of Theodorus. They mention the absence of a simple closed form and the use of sampled values as a potential approach.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working under the constraints of a geometrical problem and is seeking a continuous function to evaluate angles for the n-th vertex in their spiral construction.

Gazouille
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Can one hint me towards finding a general formula for

[tex] P_n = \prod_{x=0}^{n} \left( \sqrt{x} + i\right)[/tex]

I need a direction because now I'm stuck with it after having struggled to formulate it.

Either the real or imaginary part would be enough but i guess i won't get one without the other. I'm working out now the term to renorm the result, i'll post it asap, it's nothing complicated.

This current formulation I made up for a geometrical problem i have :).
It is to evaluate exactly a spiral that interpolates a sequence of vertices in orthogonal triangles that you would stitch together (by hypothenuse to the variable length side of the next). I can make a drawing if necessary.

I need to sum up angles for each triangle to get a polar coordinate of the n-th vertex. Hopefully evaluable through a simple continuous function to get the in-betweens aswell.

I started with trying to work in log space but what i naturally get is a sum of arc-cosinuses that i can't find an interpolating function for...

Thanks for any hint :)
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I guess you should use letters of the smaller case, i.e. [tex], and not [tex], for the LATEX to be displayed.[/tex][/tex]
 
yes i thought so, i changed it, crossing fingers :)
in case it doesn't like me, it's : P(n) equals product for x=0 to n of (sqrt(x)+i)
 
Well, by now I still haven't solved this problem but I found it's called the Spiral of Theodorus and there is no simple closed form solution althought the problem looks so simple :).
In addition, the solutions are converging series that, well... converge very very slowly.
So, I'm going to use a table of sampled values for my function and that's going to be all.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K