# Laurent Series problem

1. May 21, 2013

### TheFerruccio

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find the Laurent series for the function that converges at $0 < \left|z-z_0\right| < R$

2. Relevant equations

$\frac{z^2-4}{z-1}$
$z_0 = 1$

3. The attempt at a solution

I think this is going to be a finite sum. I think it could be wrong, though, because it certainly differs with the answer in the book.

$\frac{z^2-4}{z-1} = \frac{z^2}{z-1}-\frac{4}{z-1}$

I tried to put the first part in terms of $z-1$...

$\frac{z^2}{z-1} = \frac{z-1+1}{z-1}\frac{z-1+1}{z-1} =$

$\left( \frac{z-1}{z-1}+\frac{1}{z-1}\right)\left(\frac{z-1}{z-1}+\frac{1}{z-1}\right)$

$= \left(1+\frac{1}{z-1}\right)\left(1+\frac{1}{z-1}\right) = 1+\frac{2}{z-1}+\frac{1}{\left(z-1\right)^2}$

I recombined with the last term...

$1+\frac{2}{z-1}+\frac{1}{\left(z-1\right)^2}-\frac{4}{z-1} = 1-\frac{2}{z-1}+\frac{1}{\left(z-1\right)^2}$

This is the final answer that I get. However, the book says that it is

$-\frac{3}{z-1}+2+(z-1)$

I am absolutely stumped and I've been racking my brain over it for hours.

Last edited: May 21, 2013
2. May 21, 2013

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
You found the Laurent series at $1$. I think they want you to find the Laurent series at $0$.

3. May 21, 2013

### TheFerruccio

They may have wanted me to find the Laurent series at 1. Sorry, I forgot to add to the problem...

$z_0 = 1$

4. May 21, 2013

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
OK, so I'll take a closer look.

I see right away that this is not a correct thing to do:

5. May 21, 2013

### TheFerruccio

I figured it was the algebra that was holding me back here. Is it because it creates a singularity at 1 or something? Why is this wrong? I do not see it.

6. May 21, 2013

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
$$\frac{z-1+1}{z-1}\frac{z-1+1}{z-1} = \frac{z}{z-1}\frac{z}{z-1} = \frac{z^2}{(z-1)^2}$$

This does not equal $\frac{z^2}{z-1}$.

7. May 21, 2013

### TheFerruccio

Holy crap, oh geeze. That's embarrassing. Thanks for pointing that out. Let me try this again.

8. May 21, 2013

### TheFerruccio

Alright, well, realizing that that technique is wrong has completely erased the paths that I see to solving this problem. Any hints as to an appropriate next step to take? I've gone the method of splitting $z^2-4$ into $(z-2)(z+2)$ but I do not know how to go from there.

9. May 21, 2013

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Try to write

$$\frac{z^2 - 4}{z-1} = \frac{(z-1)^2 + P(z)}{z-1}$$

and try to find the polynomial $P(z)$.

10. May 21, 2013

### TheFerruccio

Oh, that's clever. Thanks for suggesting this method. This immediately gave me the path I needed to do.

$\frac{z^2-4}{z-1} = \frac{\left(z-1\right)^2+P(z)}{z-1}=\frac{{(z-1)}^2+2z-5}{z-1} = \frac{{(z-1)}^2+2(z-1)-3}{z-1} = (z-1)+2-\frac{3}{z-1}$ which is exactly what I was looking for. I will keep this technique in my toolbox. Thanks for the suggestion ;)

Oh, and it converges for all R > 0.