Taylor Series: Can't quite work it out

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Taylor series in the context of conformal mapping involving complex numbers. Participants are attempting to derive a specific expression for the conjugate of a complex variable and are seeking clarification on their calculations and expansions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an equation involving complex conjugates and seeks help in deriving a Taylor series expansion.
  • Another participant suggests manipulating the original equation to facilitate the use of the Taylor series, indicating a potential sign error in their approach.
  • A third participant offers a correction regarding the factoring of terms and expresses uncertainty about their own calculations.
  • Participants express confusion over the placement of terms in their equations, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the mathematical steps involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach or final expression. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the manipulation of the equations and the application of the Taylor series.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of the Taylor series application, unresolved mathematical steps, and dependencies on the correct interpretation of complex variables.

wizard147
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Hi Guys,

Looking at some notes i have on conformal mapping and I have the following

where z is complex and z* denotes its conjugate, R is a real number


z* = -iR + R^2/(z-iR)

and my lecturer says that using the taylor series we get,

z* = -iR + iR(1+ z/iR + ...)

I've been trying for ages but I can't get this, I'm probably doing something stupid.

Anybody point me in the right direction? I'm getting confused with all these expansions!

I'm doing the following:

z* = -iR + R^2/z(1-iR/z)

and using the formula (1-x)^-1 = 1 + x^2 + x^3 (reference to wiki)

but it's not quite working! Hope you can help

C
 
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hi wizard147! :smile:

(try using the X2 button just above the Reply box :wink:)
wizard147 said:
z* = -iR + R2/(z-iR)

and my lecturer says that using the taylor series we get,

z* = -iR + iR(1+ z/iR + ...)

you just have to fiddle around with it a little :wink:

z* = -iR + R2/(z-iR)

= -iR + R/(z/R - i)

= -iR + iR/(z/iR - 1) …​

hmm, there's a sign wrong somewhere :redface:
 
Hi Tim,

Thanks, I think when you factored out your i, and then multiplied top and bottom by i you would get

-iR + iR/(1-z/iR)

I could be wrong though! lol
 
yup! …

i think i got confused about whether the last "i" was on the top or the bottom of iR/z/iR ! :biggrin:

thanks! :smile:
 

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