Range of Uniform convergence of dirchlet series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the range of uniform convergence of the Dirichlet series $\zeta(x) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{{n}^{x}}$. Participants explore the implications of the Weierstrass M-test and the definitions of pointwise versus uniform convergence, examining the nuances of convergence in the context of the series.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the series converges for $1 < x < \infty$ based on the Weierstrass M-test, while others question the completeness of this statement regarding uniform convergence.
  • One participant suggests that the book's notation of $1 < s \le x < \infty$ introduces a parameter $s$ that is not clearly explained, leading to confusion about its necessity.
  • Another participant clarifies that the series is not uniformly convergent on the entire interval $(1, \infty)$, but rather on intervals of the form $[1 + \delta, \infty)$ for $\delta > 0$.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of singularities, with some participants expressing uncertainty about why $x=1$ is considered a singularity in terms of convergence.
  • Several participants engage in a back-and-forth regarding the differences between the intervals $(1, \infty)$ and $[1 + \delta, \infty)$, emphasizing that the latter is strictly contained within the former.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the application of the Weierstrass M-test and its implications for uniform convergence, questioning the need for the parameter $s$ and the conditions for uniform convergence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the convergence ranges. While some agree on the convergence for $1 < x < \infty$, others maintain that uniform convergence requires more specific conditions, leading to multiple competing views.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions and implications of pointwise versus uniform convergence, as well as the role of the parameter $s$. Participants express uncertainty about the singularity at $x=1$ and the conditions under which the Weierstrass M-test applies.

  • #31
ognik said:
While I follow your solution, I can't quite explain to myself why you chose "converges uniformly on [p,∞), where p > 1", instead of (p,∞), where p > 1 ?

Hmm, I'm not sure if this question has do with a weak knowledge about intervals. The statement would be true if you put $(p,\infty)$ instead of $[p,\infty)$, but what I proved is the stronger result, since $(p,\infty)$ is a proper subset of $[p,\infty)$ ($p\in [p,\infty)$ but $p\notin (p,\infty)$).
 
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  • #32
Is it because you chose p earlier in your analysis, so it would be wrong to then use (p, inf) because p is not in (p, inf)?
 
  • #33
I didn't say it would be wrong to use $(p,\infty)$. The point is that my argument shows uniform convergence is valid on $[p,\infty)$ for all $p> 1$. In particular, uniform convergence is valid on $(p,\infty)$ for all $p > 1$.
 
  • #34
sorry, I should have said something like weaker ...

But I still can't grasp why one is different from the other, OR why one is better than the other.

My lecturer finally responded to my nagging and said "What this statement means is that you have two parameters s and x. However, the values of s are restricted by the condition indicated. When x is varied s should be fixed."

While that seems to make sense, I still am not getting it ...I keep hoping there is just a piece of math theory that I don't know, that will make this clear to me?
 
  • #35
When you say that you can't grasp why one is different from the other, do you mean you don't understand why $(p,\infty)$ is different from $[p,\infty)$?
 
  • #36
They are different stated like that because (p...) excludes p, and [p ...] includes p. But once we have that p > 0, they then both exclude p?
 
  • #37
No, that's not true. The open interval $(a, b)$ is defined as the set of real numbers $x$ such that $a < x < b$; the half-open interval $[a, b)$ is defined as the set of real numbers $x$ such that $a \le x < b$. Here, we may allow $b = \infty$. Thus $(a,\infty)$ consists of those $x$ which satisfy $a < x < \infty$; similarly for $[a,\infty)$. For all real numbers $a$, $a\in [a,\infty)$ but $a\notin (a,\infty)$.
 
  • #38
After some more fiddling with trying to grasp this, (from what you have explained, but also from what my prof said - he will be setting the end of year exam), I came up with the following:

If I was asked to write $ p \lt x \lt \infty $ as an interval, by definition I would write $ x \epsilon (p, \infty) $

If I was then told that $ p \gt 1 $ is a fixed parameter and that we had previously found that p is included in the interval, then I would write $ x \epsilon [p, \infty), p > 1 $ - I hope this is correct and well reasoned?

Then, if I wanted to try and write this semi-closed interval as an algebraic inequality, I would write $ 1 \lt p \lt x \lt \infty $, with p 'fixed' as P > 1

Have I got it?
 
  • #39
You're so close! If you remove the "$x\in$" then you would be absolutely correct. [emoji2]
 
  • #40
Thanks, Euge - but why remove the $ x \epsilon $ ... and do you mean from both places I have used it? ? x is the variable that we are trying to find the range for?
 
  • #41
The notation $x\in (a, b)$ is not interval notation, but it express membership; it's $(a, b)$ itself that's interval notation. That's what I meant.
 
  • #42
Hi Euge, I thought you might like to know, I found that the radius of convergence with the Weierstrauss test MUST be a closed interval, that helped. But what finally put my mind at rest, was to check convergence using the integral test - that showed me very clearly where the parameter (s) comes from.

A sincere thanks for your patience, it all finally came together for me - joy!
 
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