indirect proof of identity theorem of power series
(1) |
is valid in the set of points presumed in the theorem (http://planetmath.org/IdentityTheoremOfPowerSeries) to be proved.
Antithesis: There are integers such that ; let () be least of them.
We can choose from the point set an infinite sequence which converges to with for every . Let in the equation (1) belong to and let’s divide both of (1) by which is distinct from zero; we then have
(2) |
Let here to tend along the points , i.e. we take the limits and . Because the sum of power series is always a continuous function, we see that in (2),
But all the time, the left and of (2) are equal, and thus also the limits. So we must have , contrary to the antithesis. We conclude that the antithesis is wrong. This settles the proof.
Note. I learned this proof from my venerable teacher, the number-theorist Kustaa Inkeri (1908–1997).