Introduction to Residues

Pradeep Boggarapu

Department of Mathematics
BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 1 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 2 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 3 / 32

Definition

A point z0 where f (z) is analytic in a neighborhood of z0 , but not at

z0 itself, is called an isolated singular point of f (z).
Let an analytic function f (z) have an isolated singularity at z0 . Then
its Laurent series expansion about the point z0 is given by;
∞
X
f (z) = an (z − z0 )n
k=−∞
a−3 a−2 a−1
= ..... + 3
+ 2
+ + a0 + a1 (z − z0 ) + · · ·
(z − z0 ) (z − z0 ) (z − z0 )
will converge in some punctured disc 0 < |z − z0 | < R.
1
The coefficient of z−z0 or a−1 is called the residue of f (z) at z = z0 .
We denote it as Resz=z0 f (z).

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 4 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 5 / 32

Examples

Let f (z) = z1 .
Here z = 0 is the isolated singularity of f (z) and R.H.S itself is the
Laurent series expansion about z = 0.
Therefore Resz=0 f (z) = 1.
2
Let f (z) = e 1/z .
Here also z = 0 is the isolated singularity of f(z). So the Laurent
expansion about z = 0 is
1 1
f (z) = 1 + 2
+ + ···
z 2!z 4

Hence the Resz=0 f (z) = 0.

Let f (z) = 3 cos
z .
z

Here z = 0 is again the isolated singularity of f (z). The Laurent

series expansion about z = 0 is
Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 6 / 32
Examples

z2 z4
 
3 cos z 3
= 1− + + ··· .
z z 2! 4!
Therefore Resz=0 f (z) = 3.
e z
Let f (z) = (z+1)2.

Here z = −1 is the isolated singular point and it has a Laurent series

expansion about this point.
∞
ez 1 e z+1 1 X (z + 1)n
= . =
(z + 1)2 e (z + 1)2 e(z + 1)2 n!
n=0

∞
!
1 X (z + 1)n 1 1
= + + , 0 < |z + 1| < ∞.
e (n + 2)! z + 1 (z + 1)2
n=0

Therefore Resz=−1 f (z) = 1/e.

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 7 / 32
Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 8 / 32

Why we target one particular coefficient of Laurent series?

If f (z) has an isolated singularity at z = z0 then it has a Laurent

series expansion
X∞
f (z) = an (z − z0 )n
n=−∞

1 f (z)dz
H
where an = 2πi C (z−z0 )n+1 for any circle C centered at z0 and lying
in the annular region of convergence.
1
H
But then Resz=z0 f (z) = a−1 = 2πi C f (z)dz or
H
C f (z)dz = 2πiResz=z0 f (z) = 2πia−1 .
Now you might have understood the significance of this particular
coefficient of Laurent series!
It is a pleasure to perform contour integrations using the residue
theory!

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 9 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 10 / 32

Example 1

e 2/z dz, where C : |z| = 1.

H
Question: Evaluate C

Solution: We know z = 0 is the only singularity of the integrand

f (z) = e 2/z .

e 2/z = 1 + 2/z + 2/(2!z 2 ) + 2/(3!z 3 ) + · · ·

Therefore Resz=0 f (z) = 2.

Observe that the circle lies in the region |z| > 0 in which f (z) is analytic.
Hence I
e 2/z dz = 2πiResz=0 f (z) = 2πi.2 = 4πi.
C

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 11 / 32

Example 2

sin z
H
Question: Evaluate C z2
dz, where C : |z| = 1.
sin z
Solution: Again z = 0 is the only singularity of the integrand f (z) = z2
.

sin z z − z 3 /3! + z 5 /5! − · · ·

= , |z| > 0.
z2 z2
Therefore Resz=0 f (z) = 1.
Observe that the circle lies in the region |z| > 0 in which f (z) is analytic.
Hence I
sin z
dz = 2πiResz=0 f (z) = 2πi.1 = 2πi.
C z2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 12 / 32

Example 3

1
H
Question: What is the value of C z−z0 dz, where
C : |z − z0 | = R, R > 0.
1
Solution: Here z = z0 is the only singularity of the integrand f (z) = z−z0 .

The given function itself is the Laurent series about the point z0 !
Therefore Resz=z0 f (z) = 1.
Observe that the circle lies in the region |z − z0 | > 0 in which f (z) is
analytic.
Hence I
1
dz = 2πiResz=z0 f (z) = 2πi.1 = 2πi.
C z − z0

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 13 / 32

Example 4
1/z
H
Question: Evaluate |z|=1 e sin (1/z)dz.
Solution: Here z = 0 is the only isolated singularity of the integrand
f (z) = e 1/z sin (1/z).
e 1/z sin(1/z)
= (1 + 1/z + 1/(2!z 2 ) + 1/(3!z 3 ) + · · · )(1/z − 1/(3!z 3 ) + 1/(5!z 5 ) − · · · )

1 1 1 1 1
= ( + 2 + ( − ) 3 + · · · ), |z| > 0.
z z 2 6 z
Therefore Resz=0 f (z) = 1.
Observe that the circle |z| = 1 lies in the region |z| > 0 in which f (z) is
analytic.
Hence
I
e 1/z sin(1/z)dz = 2πiResz=0 f (z) = 2πi.1 = 2πi.
|z|=1

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 14 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 15 / 32

Cauchy Residue Theorem

So far we have handled the functions having only one singular point
in the given domain. What about if the function has multiple singular
points in a domain?
This theorem states R that under some circumstances we can evaluate
complex integrals C f (z)dz by summing the residues at the isolated
singularities of f within the closed contour C .
Theorem.
Let C be a positively oriented simple closed contour. If a function f (z) is
analytic inside and on C except for a finite number of singular points zk
(k=1,2,3,.....n) inside C , then
I n
X
f (z)dz = 2πi Resz=zk f (z)
C k=1

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 16 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 17 / 32

Simple elegant proof

Proof. Suppose C1 , C2 , · · · , Cn are the circles centered at z1 , z2 · · · , zn

respectively. Suppose further that each circle Ck has a radius rk small
enough so that C1 , C2 , · · · , Cn are mutually disjoint and are interior to
the simple closed curve C .
But we know that
I
f (z)dz = 2πiResz=zk f (z)
Ck

and therefore as a consequence of Cauchy integral theorem we get

I n I
X n
X
f (z)dz = f (z)dz = 2πi Resz=zk f (z).
C k=1 Ck k=1

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 18 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 19 / 32

Example-1

(1 − 2z)dz
I
Question: Evaluate .
|z|=2 z(z − 1)(z − 3)
(1−2z)dz
Solution: The integrand f (z) = z(z−1)(z−3) has singularities at
z = 0, 1, 3. However first two pints lie inside |z| = 2.
Thus by the Residue Theorem
I
f (z)dz = 2πi [Resz=0 f (z) + Resz=1 f (z)]
|z|=2

 
1 1 5πi
= 2πi + = .
3 2 3

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 20 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 21 / 32

Example-2
I
dz
Question: Evaluate where
C (z − 1)2 (z − 3)
(a) C is the rectangle defined by x = 0, x = 4, y = −1, y = 1
(b) C is the circle |z| = 3/2.
Solution: (a) The integrand f (z) = (z−1)12 (z−3) has both its singularities
at z = 1, 3 within the rectangle.
Therefore by the Residue Theorem
I
dz
2 (z − 3)
= 2πi [Resz=1 f (z) + Resz=3 f (z)]
C (z − 1)
 
−1 1
= 2πi + = 0.
4 4
(b) Since only the singularity z = 1 lies within the circle |z| = 3/2, we have
−1 −πi
I
dz
2
= 2πiResz=1 f (z) = 2πi. = .
C (z − 1) (z − 3) 4 2
Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 22 / 32
Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 23 / 32

Theorem- Cauchy residue theorem with an additional
property

In the Cauchy residue theorem, if the function f (z) is analytic

everywhere in the finite plane outside the contour C , it is more
efficient to find the value of the integral of f (z) around C by finding
a single residue at z = 0 of a function related to f (z).
Theorem: If a function f (z) is analytic everywhere in the finite
complex plane except for a finite number of singular points interior to
a positively oriented simple closed contour C , then
I   
1 1
f (z)dz = 2πiResz=0 2 f .
C z z

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 24 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 25 / 32

Proof-point by point
Proof. Consider a circle C0 : |z| = R containing the contour C completely
within it.
Then f (z) has a Laurent series expansion about z = 0 in the region
|z| > R, in which f (z) is analytic.
∞
X
f (z) = an z n , |z| > R.
−∞
1 1


Since z = 0 is a singularity of f
z we have the Laurent series expansion
z2
which can be obtained by replacing z by 1/z in the expansion of f (z).
  X∞ ∞
1 1 an X an−2 1
f = = , 0 < |z| < .
z2 z −∞
z n+2
−∞
z n R
Observe that   
1 1
a−1 = Resz=0 f .
z2 z
Hence the proof.
Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 26 / 32
Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 27 / 32

Example-1

(3z − 2)dz
I
Question: Evaluate .
|z|=2 z(z − 1)
(3z−2)
Solution: Since the integrand f (z) = z(z−1) ,
 
1 1 (3 − 2z) (3 − 2z)
f = = (1 + z + z 2 + · · · ), 0 < |z| < 1.
z2 z z(1 − z) z

Therefore   
1 1
Resz=0 f =3
z2 z
and
  
(3z − 2)dz
I
1 1
= 2πiResz=0 2 f = 2πi.3 = 6πi.
|z|=2 z(z − 1) z z

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 28 / 32

Going into it....
1 Theory of Residues
Residue of a function at an isolated singular point
Examples-first set
Why is it so important?
Examples-second set
2 Cauchy Residue Theorem
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2
3 A modified version of Cauchy residue theorem?
Statement
Proof
Example-1
Example-2

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 29 / 32

Example-2

z 5 dz
I
Question: Evaluate .
|z|=2 (1 − z 3 )
z5
Solution: The integrand f (z) = (1−z 3 )
and thus
 
1 1 −1 −1
f = 4 = 4 (1 + z 3 + z 6 /2! + · · · ), 0 < |z| < 1.
z2 z 3
z (1 − z ) z

Therefore   
1 1
Resz=0 f = −1
z2 z
and
z 5 dz
I   
1 1
3
= 2πiResz=0 2 f = 2πi.(−1) = −2πi.
C (1 − z ) z z

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 30 / 32

 THANK YOU

GOOD LUCK

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 31 / 32

 THANK YOU

GOOD LUCK

Pradeep Boggarapu (BITS-Goa) Introduction to Residues 32 / 32