Term-wise Differentiation of Power Series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the term-wise differentiation of power series, particularly in the context of introducing transcendental functions such as the exponential function and its inverse, the natural logarithm. Participants are exploring the conditions necessary for differentiating power series and seeking a concise proof for inclusion in a tutorial.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that term-wise differentiation follows from the linearity of differentiation.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for uniform convergence of power series within their radius of convergence when discussing infinite series.
  • A later reply questions whether both the original and differentiated series need to converge uniformly, indicating uncertainty about the requirements for uniform convergence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of uniform convergence for both the original and differentiated series, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about convergence and the conditions under which term-wise differentiation is valid, which have not been fully clarified in the discussion.

Hootenanny
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For those who don't know I'm writing a tutorial (https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=139690") in the tutorials forum. I have come to the point of introducing Transcendental functions. I would like to introduce the exponential function first (via the Taylor series) and then present the natural logarithm as it's inverse. Although not entirely necessary, I would like to present a concise proof of term-wise differentiation of power series in the tutorial.

If anyone knows of a concise online proof, or even better, would be willing to contribute a proof directly, please let me know, either in this thread or via PM.

Thanks for your time.
 
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I would say that it follows from the linearity of differentiation
 
Because you are talking about an infinite series, you also need the fact that a power series converges uniformly inside its radius of convergence.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Because you are talking about an infinite series, you also need the fact that a power series converges uniformly inside its radius of convergence.
Is it necessary that both the original and differentiated series converges uniformally, I thought that the original series need only converge?
 
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