What is the Taylor expansion for ln(1+z)?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around developing the Taylor expansion for the function ln(1+z). Participants are exploring the necessary components of the Taylor series, particularly the evaluation point and the derivatives involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the ambiguity in the problem statement regarding the evaluation point for the Taylor series. Some suggest using z = 0, while others question whether this assumption is valid. There are attempts to derive the expansion using geometric series and integration, with varying degrees of understanding and clarity.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing different methods and questioning the validity of their approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of geometric series, but there is no clear consensus on the best method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that some participants feel the problem is poorly worded, which adds to the confusion. Additionally, there are references to topics not covered in class, suggesting a gap in foundational knowledge that may be affecting the discussion.

  • #31
im sorry, these topics were not covered in class.
 
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  • #32
Wishbone said:
im sorry, these topics were not covered in class.

Well do you know what the formula for the sum of an infinite geometric series? Maybe try it this way, take the derivative of the ln(1 + z) and then try to find a geometric series for that and then integrate it to find one for the log...
 
  • #33
d_leet said:
Well do you know what the formula for the sum of an infinite geometric series? Maybe try it this way, take the derivative of the ln(1 + z) and then try to find a geometric series for that and then integrate it to find one for the log...
d_leet, I think it might be better if you hint him more clearly. AFAIK, he has tried his best to understand the problem. I haven't seen such a 3-page thread that reaches nowhere like this one for a long time.
Wishbone, I think you should re-read your textbook to understand the concept of Taylor's series a little bit more clearer. And try again to see if you can do this problem.
You, however can do it by using geometric series as d_leet has pointed out.
For a common ratio |z| < 1, we have:
\frac{a}{1 - z} = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} az ^ k, so apply it here, we have:
\frac{1}{1 + z} = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-z) ^ k, \ \forall |z| &lt; 1 (a geometric series with a common ratio -z, and the first term is 1).
Integrate both sides gives:
\int \frac{dz}{1 + z} = \int \left( \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-z) ^ k \right) dz
Now, hopefully, you can go from here, right? :)
 
  • #34
VietDao29 said:
I haven't seen such a 3-page thread that reaches nowhere like this one for a long time.

Then take a look at this thread below: "Urgend Geometric series question". :smile:

Sorry for the off-topic.
 
  • #35
Wishbone said:
ok i took

F'(z)= 1/(1+z)^2
F''(z) = 1/2(1+z)^3
F'''(z) = 1/-6(1+z)^4

so I do F(0) + F'(z)*(z-0) + F''(z)*(z-0)^2/2! + F'''(z)*(z-0)^3/3!

These derivatives are incorrect. If F(z)=ln(1+z) then:

F&#039;(z)=(1+z)^{-1}

try finding F'', F''', etc. again. Carefully.
 
  • #36
VietDao29 said:
For a common ratio |z| < 1, we have:
\frac{a}{1 - z} = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} az ^ k, so apply it here, we have:
\frac{1}{1 + z} = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-z) ^ k, \ \forall |z| &lt; 1 (a geometric series with a common ratio -z, and the first term is 1).
Integrate both sides gives:
\int \frac{dz}{1 + z} = \int \left( \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-z) ^ k \right) dz

This seems a little too simple for the complex plane.

What about ln(i-z)? hmmm...

\int \left( \frac{1}{i} \right)\frac{dz}{1 + iz} = \int \left( -i\sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-iz) ^ k \right) dz

ln(i-z) = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} \frac{(-iz)^{k+1}}{(k+1)}

Plug in z=0 and the sum is zero...My calculator says ln(i) is not zero. ln(i)= i*(pi/2)

So is there seems to be a problem using this method with complex variables.

(Or have I made a mistake with my math?)

:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
  • #37
Axiom_137 said:
This seems a little too simple for the complex plane.

What about ln(i-z)? hmmm...

\left( \frac{1}{i} \right)\frac{dz}{1 + iz} = \int \left( -i\sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-iz) ^ k \right) dz

ln(i-z) = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} \frac{(-iz)^{k+1}}{(k+1)}

Plug in z=0 and the sum is zero...


My calculator says ln(i) is not zero. ln(i)= i*(pi/2)

So is there seems to be a problem using this method with complex variables.

(Or have I made a mistake with my math?)

:rolleyes:


I think that sum only holds for |z|<1, that is strictly less than one, whereas |i|=1 so one should not expect the equation to hold for z=i since i does not satisfy the necessary inequality.
 
  • #38
d_leet said:
I think that sum only holds for |z|<1, that is strictly less than one, whereas |i|=1 so one should not expect the equation to hold for z=i since i does not satisfy the necessary inequality.


For the geometric series, the inequality for this problem would be :

|-iz|<1 or simply |z|<1

z=0 satisfies |z|<1
 
  • #39
Axiom_137 said:
For the geometric series, the inequality for this problem would be :

|-iz|<1 or simply |z|<1

z=0 satisfies |z|<1

Yes you're absolutely right, I have no idea what I was thinking, and I cannot think of a reason as to why the sum does not work other than the fact that the series does, at least, correctly calculate the real part of ln(i):rolleyes:
 
  • #40
Please, tell us what you think the derivative of 1/(1+ z) is!
 
  • #41
Axiom_137 said:
This seems a little too simple for the complex plane.

What about ln(i-z)? hmmm...

\int \left( \frac{1}{i} \right)\frac{dz}{1 + iz} = \int \left( -i\sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} (-iz) ^ k \right) dz

ln(i-z) = \sum_{k = 0} ^ {\infty} \frac{(-iz)^{k+1}}{(k+1)}

Plug in z=0 and the sum is zero...
You forgot the constant of integration.
 

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