# Math Help - Non-recursive formula for y^{(n)} for inverse power series

1. ## Non-recursive formula for y^{(n)} for inverse power series

I'm interested in inverting a power series: Suppose through solving a DE for the function y(x), I ended up with a power series in y:

$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n y^n=x$

Now, we know $a_n=\frac{1}{n!} \frac{d^n x}{dy^n}$

I'm just learning I can invert that series to obtain:

$y(x)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} b_n x^n$

with $b_n=\frac{1}{n!} \frac{d^n y}{dx^n}$

But each derivative in y is related to each derivative in x by the recursive formula:

$y_n=\frac{1}{x_1} \frac{d}{dy} x_{n-1}$

where $y_n=\frac{d^n y}{dx^n}$ and $x_n=\frac{d^n x}{dy^n}$

and therefore if I know what each $a_n$ is, I can recursively calculate the coefficients $b_n$

Here's the first few:

$y_1=\frac{1}{x_1}$

$y_2=-\frac{x_2}{x_1^3}$

$y_3=\frac{3x^2-x_1 x^3}{x_1^5}$

$y_4=-\frac{15x_2^3-10 x_1 x_2 x_3+x_1^2 x_4}{x_1^7}$

$y_5=\frac{105 x_2^4-105 x_1 x_2^2 x_3+15x_1^2x_2 x^4+10 x_1^2x_3^2-x_1^3 x_5}{x_1^9}$

You guys think it's possible to figure out a non-recursive formula for $y_n$?

I can begin to see a trend for $n\geq 2$:

$y_n=(-1)^{n+1}\frac{\prod_{k=0}^{n-2} (2n+1) x_2^{n-1}+\text{something}+(-1)^{n+1}x_1^{n-2} x_n}{x_1^{2n-1}}$

2. Hi shawsend,

it seems that you obtain a difference equation (or a recursion), but just as in the theory of differential equations, you can not always solve a difference equation if its not a special type, i.e., linear constant coefficients or ect, either. Therefore, it is not very surprising that you may not have an explicit formula for it. I just wanted to note this.
But I hope I can find what you want...

bkarpuz

3. Originally Posted by bkarpuz
Hi shawsend,

it seems that you obtain a difference equation (or a recursion), but just as in the theory of differential equations, you can not always solve a difference equation if its not a special type, i.e., linear constant coefficients or ect, either. Therefore, it is not very surprising that you may not have an explicit formula for it. I just wanted to note this.
But I hope I can find what you want...

bkarpuz
. . . dang it! I hate when that happens. I'm thinking now maybe that's the reason I'm not finding an explicit formula but then, that is no way to do mathematics either; just because no one figured out one is no guarantee there is none.