Partial Fractions Expansion of $\tanh(z)/z$

Question

I have seen the following formula in papers (without citations) and in Mathematica's documentation about Tanh[]:

$$ \frac{\tanh(z)}{8z}=\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(2k-1)^2 \pi^2+4z^2} $$

I have no idea how to prove it and I have also encountered in my research similar sums involving, for instance, $\mathrm{coth}$. It would be nice to have a general method for working with these problems; any suggestions?

As noted, you should consult a textbook in complex analysis. Usually you will see this as a series for $\tan z$, and then a simple change of variables $iz$ will give you a similar one for $\tanh z$. — GEdgar, Jul 28 '12 at 12:36

score 12 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:20

12

There is the infinite product representation

$$\cosh\,z=\prod_{k=1}^\infty \left(1+\frac{4z^2}{\pi^2(2k-1)^2}\right)$$

Taking logarithms gives

$$\log\cosh\,z=\sum_{k=1}^\infty \log\left(1+\frac{4z^2}{\pi^2(2k-1)^2}\right)$$

If we differentiate both sides, we have

$$\tanh\,z=\sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{\frac{8z}{\pi^2(2k-1)^2}}{1+\frac{4z^2}{\pi^2(2k-1)^2}}$$

which simplifies to

$$\tanh\,z=\sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{8z}{4z^2+\pi^2(2k-1)^2}$$

Note that the infinite product that we started with is the factorization of $\cosh$ over its (imaginary) zeroes.

Here is a related question.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:20

Community

1

answered Jul 27 '12 at 15:05

J. M. ain't a mathematician

75,051

@jm this is great; does all such formulas rely on manipulating other known products and sums? Isn't there, for instance, a Fourier transform or generating function approach (or something...)? Again, thank you for the support. – Gabriel Landi Jul 28 '12 at 01:29
Well, the more systematic route uses polygamma functions/generalized harmonic numbers, but I thought you'd prefer the route that doesn't require special functions. This is the easiest route I know for the tangent, cotangent, and their hyperbolic counterparts. – J. M. ain't a mathematician Jul 28 '12 at 01:35
Yeah. Probably. Hehe. It's just that I never know how to deal with sums in any other way than comparing it to other sums. Again, thank you for the answer J.M. – Gabriel Landi Jul 28 '12 at 01:41
Our answers to this question seem to be paralleled here :-) – robjohn Jul 28 '12 at 13:23
@rob, hence the upvote. ;) – J. M. ain't a mathematician Jul 28 '12 at 13:49

robjohn · Answer 2 · 2017-05-04T12:40:32.317

7

In this answer, it is shown that for all $z\in\mathbb{C}\setminus\mathbb{Z}$, $$ \pi\cot(\pi z)=\frac1z+\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{2z}{z^2-k^2}\tag{1} $$ Applying the identity $\tan(x)=\cot(x)-2\cot(2x)$ to $(1)$ gives $$ \begin{align} \pi\tan(\pi z) &=\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{2z}{z^2-k^2}-\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{2z}{z^2-\frac{k^2}{4}}\\ &=\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{8z}{4z^2-(2k)^2}-\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{8z}{4z^2-k^2}\\ &=-\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{8z}{4z^2-(2k-1)^2}\\ &=\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{8z}{(2k-1)^2-4z^2}\tag{2} \end{align} $$ Applying the identity $\tanh(x)=-i\tan(ix)$ to $(2)$ yields $$ \pi\tanh(\pi z)=\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{8z}{(2k-1)^2+4z^2}\tag{3} $$ Finally, applying the change variables $z\mapsto z/\pi$ to $(3)$ reveals $$ \frac{\tanh(z)}{8z}=\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{1}{(2k-1)^2\pi^2+4z^2}\tag{4} $$

edited May 04 '17 at 12:40

answered Jul 28 '12 at 13:18

robjohn

345,667

how did you get equation $(2)$ from the series sum? – Danny May 04 '17 at 04:40
@Danny: I've added a couple of lines of explanation. First, we multiply numerator and denominator by $4$. Then note that we are subtracting the terms $\frac{8z}{4z^2-j^2}$ with both even and odd $j$ from the terms with only even $j$. That leaves the negative of the terms with odd $j$. – robjohn May 04 '17 at 12:57

Mhenni Benghorbal · Answer 3 · 2013-01-13T04:38:25.557

0

A general approach to find such expansions is a technique based on expanding a meromorphic function in terms of rational fractions by exploiting its poles. A theorem related to this work is called the Mittag-Leffler theorem in complex analysis. See here (starting from page (96)). You can find examples of such expansions for the functions $\tan(z)\,,\sec(z)\, \cot(z)\,, \csc(z) \,. $

edited Jan 13 '13 at 04:38

answered Jul 27 '12 at 15:44

Mhenni Benghorbal

47,431

5

For a somewhat less obscene reference on Mittag-Leffler theorem, see here. – Did Aug 24 '12 at 11:43
I reffered the OP where he can find the techniques and examples to his question. It is in the heart of my research. – Mhenni Benghorbal Sep 11 '12 at 22:35
I cannot open that link(starting from page (96)) it says you need permission. – onepound Jan 26 '20 at 10:34

Partial Fractions Expansion of $\tanh(z)/z$

3 Answers3

Linked