Complex Variables

5.6 Laurent Series

Knowing:
we can obtain

for

1
1 z 1
z

More, let:

z 2 4z 1
z 2 4z 1
z
2
f ( z) 2

1 z 2 z
z 3z 2 (1 z )( 2 z )

We know:

2
1
z z2

1
... z 2
2 z 1 z
2 4
2

So:

z 2 4z 1
f ( z) 2

z 3z 2

DEFINITION (Laurent Series) The Laurent series expansion of a function f(z) is an

expansion of the form

where the series converges to f(z) in a region or domain.

Complex Variables
Examples (using Taylor series)
u2
Start from an entire:
u
e 1 u
....
2!

and putting u ( z 1) 1 we have

or
If we multiply by ( z 1) 2 :
THEOREM 18 (Laurent's Theorem)
Let f(z) be analytic in D, an annular domain
r1 < |z - z0| < r2. If z lies in D, f(z) can be represented by the Laurent expansion

The coefficients are given by

where C is any simple closed contour lying in D and

enclosing the inner boundary |z - z0| = r1. The series
is uniformly convergent in any annular region centered
at z0 and lying in D.

Complex Variables
Consider z0=0 and the contour C which encloses z1. f(z) is analytic inside C
The Cauchy integral:

but

and

f ( z)
f ( z)
dz l
dz
z z1
z z1
2

f ( z1 ) I A I B

where

and
Now (the series is convergent uniformly)

z1
1 z1 2
z

Complex Variables
And

For

z
1 z1 1
z1

(the series is convergent uniformly):

So:

Or:

Collection:

Finally: (with ALL the ADVANTAGES of the UNIFORM CONVERGENCE)

for

1 z1 2 r1 z1 r2
4

Complex Variables
If the function f(z) is not analytic in

z r1 we cannot use

But if the function f(z) is analytic in z r2

0, n 1

Taylor Series

DEFINITION (Isolated Singular Point) The point zp is an isolated singular point of f(z) if
f(z) is not analytic at zp but is analytic in a deleted neighborhood of zp.
For example:

1
( z 1)( z 5) 2 ( z 6) 4

z p 1, 5, 6

For a deleted neighborhood of zp we still can use a Laurent expansion

of f(z) in powers of (z - zp ) !
EXAMPLE 1 Expand f(z) = (z - 3)-1 in a Laurent series in powers of (z - 1). State the
domain in which the series converges to f(z).
Solution. For the function: zp = 3 . A Taylor series representation is valid when z 1 2
5

Complex Variables
In the domain z 1 2 we can represent in a Laurent series
z 1 2 using:
we can write:
z 1 2

which is

This Laurent series is valid when:

w 2 / z 1 and w 1 z 1 2

EXAMPLE 2 Expand f ( z) z 11 z 21 in a Laurent series in powers of (z - 1) valid in

an annular domain containing the point z = 7/2. State the domain in which the series
converges to f(z). Consider also other series representations of f(z) involving powers of
(z - 1) and state where they are valid.
Solution. A Laurent series in powers of (z - 1) can represent a function in a annular
(ring) domain centered at z0 = 1. Singularities of the function: z = -1
and -2 which provide a domain D1 :

2 z 1 3

Complex Variables
Another domain is D2 : z 1 3
For a Taylor series D3: z 1 2
Only D1 contains z = 7/2 !!!

For this domain:

Now:

or

Using

When w z 1 2 we obtain a Taylor series in powers (z - 1):

Unfortunately we cant use that for D1 where

z 1 2
7

Complex Variables
When w 2 z 1 we obtain a Laurent series in powers (z - 1) :

Similarly:
When w z 1 3 we obtain a Taylor series in powers (z - 1) :

When w 3 z 1 we obtain a Laurent series in powers (z - 1) :

Unfortunately we cant use that for D1 where

z 1 3

Complex Variables
When

2 z 1 3

we combine the Laurent series and the Taylor series

in powers (z - 1) :

Or:

f (z )

EXAMPLE 3 Expand f ( z) z( z 1)1

in a Laurent series that is valid in a deleted
neighborhood of z = 1. State the domain throughout which the series is valid.
Solution. Singularities of the function: z = 1 and 0. The annulus 0 z 1 1 is the
largest deleted neighborhood of z = 1 that excludes both singularities.

Now for a Laurent expansion in powers of (z - 1) first:

Complex Variables
Then
and

So:

Or:

EXAMPLE 4 Expand f ( z ) sin z

in a Laurent series that is valid in a deleted
neighborhood of z = 0. Where in the complex plane will your series converge to this
function?

Solution. Singularities of the function: sin z = 0 when z 0, , 2 ,...

. Those are
isolated singular points of the function. Consider a punctuated disc (near z = 0)

0 z

and try

10

Complex Variables
First:
and (by LHopitals Rule)

requires: cn 0,

n 2

So:
Now:

1
z3 z5
1 sin z
z .... c1 z 1 c0 c1 z c2 z 2 c3 z 3 ...
sin z
3! 5!

Which gives

11