§ Ring of power series with infinite positive and negative terms
If we allow a ring with elements xi for all −∞<x<∞, for notation's
sake, let's call it R[[[x]]]. Unfortunately, this is a badly behaved ring.
Define S≡∑i=−∞∞xi. See that xS=S, since
multiplying by x shifts powers by 1. Since we are summing over all of Z,
+1 is an isomorphism. Rearranging gives (x−1)S=0. If we want our ring
to be an integral domain, we are forced to accept that S=0. In the Barvinok
theory of polyhedral point counting, we accept that S=0 and exploit this
in our theory.