Some Contour Integration Questions

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The discussion focuses on evaluating the contour integral ∫c dz/(1 - cos z) for three specific contours: |z|=1, |z-π|=1.5π, and |z-2i|=1. Each contour requires identifying the poles of the function and calculating the residues at those poles. The integral of a meromorphic function around a positively oriented contour equals 2πi times the sum of the residues at the poles within the contour. The poles occur when cos z = 1, which happens at multiples of 2π on the real axis, and the residues at these double poles must be carefully calculated.

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  • Basic understanding of the cosine function in the complex plane
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  • Learn about double poles and their residue calculations
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Evaluate the contour integral. [FONT=MathJax_Main][FONT=MathJax_Size1]∫[FONT=MathJax_Math]c[FONT=MathJax_Math] d[FONT=MathJax_Math]z[FONT=MathJax_Main]/[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Main]1[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Math]c[FONT=MathJax_Math]o[FONT=MathJax_Math]s[FONT=MathJax_Math]z[FONT=MathJax_Main])
(a) When c is the circle |z|=1 positively oriented;
(b) when c is the circle |z-pi| = 1.5 pi, positively oriented;
(c) when c is the circle |z-2i| = 1, positively oriented.
 
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thatonekid said:
Evaluate the contour integral. [FONT=MathJax_Main][FONT=MathJax_Size1]∫[FONT=MathJax_Math]c[FONT=MathJax_Math] d[FONT=MathJax_Math]z[FONT=MathJax_Main]/[FONT=MathJax_Main]([FONT=MathJax_Main]1[FONT=MathJax_Main]−[FONT=MathJax_Math]c[FONT=MathJax_Math]o[FONT=MathJax_Math]s[FONT=MathJax_Math]z[FONT=MathJax_Main])
(a) When c is the circle |z|=1 positively oriented;
(b) when c is the circle |z-pi| = 1.5 pi, positively oriented;
(c) when c is the circle |z-2i| = 1, positively oriented.

The starting point is that the integral of a meromorphic function round a positively oriented contour is equal to $2\pi i$ times the sum of the residues at all the poles inside the contour. In this case, the function is $\dfrac1{1-\cos z}$. So you need to find (i) where are the poles of this function, and (ii) what is the residue at each pole inside the contour? Of course, the poles inside the contour will differ for each of the three given contours.

For the answer to (i), the function will have a pole when the denominator is 0. So you need to think about when $\cos z = 1$. On the real axis, that happens when $z$ is a multiple of $2\pi$. Are those the only complex solutions of $\cos z = 1$, or are there other solutions off the real axis?

For (ii), what is the residue of $\dfrac1{1-\cos z}$ at a point where $\cos z = 1$? You will have to careful here, because the poles of this function are double poles. (That is because the power series for $\cos z$ starts $1-\frac12z^2+\ldots$, and so $1-\cos z$ has no term in $z$ but starts with a $z^2$ term.)

See how far you get with those hints, and come back here if you need further help.
 

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