Finding residues with Laurent series.

In summary, the given function can be expressed as a Laurent series and the residue at z=0 is equal to -3.
  • #1
Terrell
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Homework Statement


Use an appropriate Laurent series to find the indicated residue for ##f(z)=\frac{4z-6}{z(2-z)}## ; ##\operatorname{Res}(f(z),0)##

Homework Equations


n/a

The Attempt at a Solution


Computations are done such that ##0 \lt \vert z\vert \lt 2##.
##\frac{4z}{z(z-2)}=\frac{2}{1-z/2}## and ##\frac{6}{z(z-2)}=\frac{6}{z}\frac{1}{1-z/2}##.
\begin{align}
\frac{4z}{z(2-z)}=2\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}(\frac{z}{2})^k=2[1+\frac{z}{2}+\frac{z^2}{4}+\frac{z^3}{8}+\cdots]=2+z+\frac{z^2}{2}+\frac{z^3}{4}\\
\frac{6}{z}\frac{1}{1-z/2}=\frac{6}{z}\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}(\frac{z}{2})^k=\frac{6}{z}[1+\frac{z}{2}+\frac{z^2}{4}+\frac{z^3}{8}+\cdots]=\frac{6}{z}+3+\frac{3}{2}z+\frac{3}{4}z^2\\
f(z)=\frac{4z}{z(2-z)}-\frac{6}{z(2-z)}=-\frac{6}{z}-1-\frac{z}{2}-\frac{1}{4}z^2-\cdots
\end{align}
What am I doing wrong? The solutions manual gave an answer of -3 while according to my solution, it must be -6.
 
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  • #2
Terrell said:
##\frac{4z}{z(z-2)}=\frac{2}{1-z/2}## and ##\frac{6}{z(z-2)}=\frac{6}{z}\frac{1}{1-z/2}##

Neither of these equalities is correct. The second "equality" is particularly problematic.
 
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FAQ: Finding residues with Laurent series.

1. What is a Laurent series?

A Laurent series is a way to represent a complex function as an infinite sum of terms, including both positive and negative powers of the complex variable. It is a generalization of the Taylor series, which only includes positive powers.

2. How do I find the residues of a function using Laurent series?

To find the residues of a function using Laurent series, you need to first write the function as a Laurent series. Then, the coefficient of the term with a negative power of the complex variable will be the residue of the function at that point.

3. What is the significance of finding residues?

Finding residues is important in complex analysis because they can help us understand the behavior of a function around singular points or poles. Residues also play a significant role in evaluating complex integrals.

4. Can I use Laurent series to find residues of any function?

In general, yes, you can use Laurent series to find residues of any function. However, the function must have a singularity or pole at the point where you want to find the residue. If the function is analytic at that point, the residue will be equal to 0.

5. Is there a specific method for finding residues with Laurent series?

Yes, there is a specific method for finding residues with Laurent series. It involves writing the function as a Laurent series, identifying the coefficient of the term with a negative power, and then using the Residue Theorem or Cauchy's Residue Formula to evaluate the residue.

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