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Worked solution

Extract a constant term from a Laurent product

Expand (4−x)−1/2(4-x)^{-1/2} in ascending powers of xx through x3x^3, and state its range of validity. Find aa if the term independent of xx in (1+ax−1)/4−x(1+ax^{-1})/\sqrt{4-x} is 55. marks

[2007/NYJC/I/1]

CJC · Review problems · Question 2

Answer

(4−x)−1/2=1/2+x/16+3x2/256+5x3/2048+⋯(4-x)^{-1/2}=1/2+x/16+3x^2/256+5x^3/2048+\cdots, standard interval −4<x<4-4<x<4; a=72a=72.

Factor out the constant before expanding

Use (4−x)−1/2=12(1−x/4)−1/2(4-x)^{-1/2}=\tfrac12(1-x/4)^{-1/2}. The binomial terms give

(4−x)−1/2=12(1+x8+3x2128+5x31024+⋯ )=12+x16+3x2256+5x32048+⋯ .\begin{aligned}&(4-x)^{-1/2}\\ & =\frac12\left(1+\frac{x}{8}+\frac{3x^2}{128}+\frac{5x^3}{1024}+\cdots\right)\\ & =\frac12+\frac{x}{16}+\frac{3x^2}{256}\\ &{}+\frac{5x^3}{2048}+\cdots.\end{aligned}

The printed standard open binomial interval is ∣x/4∣<1|x/4|<1, or −4<x<4-4<x<4.

How did this part go?

Collect only the terms that can produce x⁰

Multiply by 1+a/x1+a/x. The constant terms are 1⋅(1/2)1\cdot(1/2) and (a/x)(x/16)(a/x)(x/16), so 1/2+a/16=51/2+a/16=5 and a=72a=72. This is a Laurent coefficient, not evaluation at x=0x=0: the product is undefined there. Within the printed open interval its domain is 0<∣x∣<40<|x|<4.

How did this part go?

Common mistakes

A constant Laurent coefficient need not be the function value at zero.

Read the hint