# Show that f is a polynomial of degree $\le n$

From Basic Complex Analysis 3rd ed. 1.5 #20

Let f be an analytic function on an open connected set A and suppose that $f^{n+1} (z)$ (the n+1st derivative) exists and is zero on A. Show that f is a polynomial of degree $\le n$.

This statement being true seems very intuitive to me but I'm struggling with how I might show this. My question lies in whether or not 0 is a part of the natural numbers for this problem (couldn't find anything in the book). It seems that if it is the problem is saying f'(z)=0 or if 0 is not included f''(z)=0.

My attempt at a solution (assuming $0 \in \mathbb{N}$)

Let $f(z)=cz^m$ where c and m are any constant

Then $f'(z)=mcz^{m-1}=0$

From here I note that $m=0 \le \mathbb{N}$

Is this sufficient?

• I don't understand your attempt. What are you trying to do in your attempt ? – Amr Jan 25 '14 at 18:39
• You can safely assume $0\in\mathbb{N}$ here. If the $n+1^{\text{st}}$ derivative is $\equiv 0$, what does that tell you about the Taylor expansion? – Daniel Fischer Jan 25 '14 at 18:41

Hint: Since $f^{(n+1)}$ is zero on $A$ so $f^{(n)}$ is constant on $A$. Now what can you say about $f^{(n-1)}$, and then $f^{(n-2)}$ and ...

Since $f$ is analytic on A, then for $a\in A$ locally we have

$$f(z) = \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} a_j (z-a)^j,~~~~~\text{for }~~|z-a|<r.$$

We have, $$f^{(m)}(z) = \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} a_j \frac{d^m}{dz^m}[(z-a)^j],~~~~~\text{for }~~|z-a|<r.$$

But $$\frac{d^m}{dz^m}[(z-a)^j] = 0 ~~~~\text{if}~~j<m$$

and $\text{if}~~j\ge m$ we have, $$\frac{d^m}{dz^m}[(z-a)^j] = j(j-1)\cdots (j- m+1) (z-a)^{j-m}=\frac{j!}{(j-m)!}(z-a)^{j-m}~~$$

Whence, by assumption, $f^{(n+1)}(z)=0$ on A we have get,

$$f^{(n+1)}(z) = \sum_{j=n+1}^{\infty} a_j \frac{j!}{(j-n-1)!}(z-a)^{j-n-1} =0,~~~~~\text{for }~~|z-a|<r.$$ which is possible only if $$a_j =0 ~~~\text{for }~~~j\ge n+1$$

Hence, $$f(z) = \sum_{j=0}^{\infty} a_j (z-a)^j= \sum_{j=0}^{n} a_j (z-a)^j~~~~~\text{for }~~|z-a|<r.$$

That is $f$ and $p(z)=\sum_{j=0}^{n} a_j (z-a)^j$ coincide on $D(a,r)\subset A$ and A is connected by analytic extension we get that, f(z) = \sum_{j=0}^{n} a_j (z-a)^j~~~~~\text{ for }~~ \forall~~z\in A.