So this question is about this dilogarithm function. Assume the argument $z$ is real then I want to show the formula $\operatorname{Li}_2(e^{-z})=\frac{\pi^2}{6} + z\log z -z+O(z^2) $
as $z$ approaches $0$ from positive value
How can I show this?
So this question is about this dilogarithm function. Assume the argument $z$ is real then I want to show the formula $\operatorname{Li}_2(e^{-z})=\frac{\pi^2}{6} + z\log z -z+O(z^2) $
as $z$ approaches $0$ from positive value
How can I show this?
An important reference is this. Using eq.(3.3) in the paper
${\rm Li}_2(1-z)=-{\rm Li}_2(z)+\frac{\pi^2}{6}+\ln(1-z)\ln z$
from the definition
${\rm Li}_2(z)=\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{z^k}{k^2}$
you will get immediately eq.(3.7) in the paper, the expansion for $z=1$,
${\rm Li}_2(z)=\frac{\pi^2}{6}-\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{(1-z)^k}{k^2}+\ln(1-z)\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{z^k}{k}.$
Remembering that
$\ln(1+z)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty(-1)^{n+1}\frac{z^n}{n}$
you will recognize that
$\ln(1-z)\sum_{k=1}^\infty\frac{z^k}{k}\approx z\ln z$
while you have to retain just the first term from the other series. Putting all together you get your approximation.