Complex Analysis, function
23 July 2019 20:02
Let S be a set of complex numbers. A function f defined on S is a rule that assigns to each z in S a complex number
w. The number w is called the value of f at z and is denoted by f (z); that is, w = f (z). The set S is called the domain
of definition
of f .
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Inverse Functions
If w = f (z), then we can also consider z as a function, possibly multiple-valued, of w, written z = g(w) = f -1(w). The
function f -1(w) is often called the inverse function corresponding to f. Thus, w = f (z) and w = f -1(w) are inverse
functions of each other.
Transformations
If w = u + iv (where u and v are real) is a single-valued function of z = x + iy (where x and y are real), we can write
u+ iv = f (x + iy). By equating real and imaginary parts, this is seen to be equivalent to u = u(x, y), v = v(x, y). Thus
given a point (x, y) in the z plane, such as P in Fig., there corresponds a point (u, v) in the w plane, say P in Fig. The
set of equations [or the equivalent, w = f (z)] is called a transformation. We say that point P is mapped or
transformed into point P0 by means of the transformation and call P the image of P.
When polar coordinates are used, f (reiθ ) = (reiθ )2 = r2ei2θ = r2 cos 2θ + ir2 sin 2θ. Consequently,
u(r, θ) = r2 cos 2θ and v(r, θ) = r2 sin 2θ.
In general, under a transformation, a set of points such as those on curve PQ of Fig. 1 is mapped into a
corresponding set of points, called the image, such as those on curve PQ in Fig. 2. The particular
characteristics of the image depend of course on the type of function f (z), which is sometimes called a
mapping function. If f (z) is multiple-valued, a point (or curve) in the z plane is mapped in general into more
than one point (or curve) in the w plane.
Branch Points and Branch Lines
Suppose that we are given the function w = z1/2. Suppose further that we allow z to make a complete circuit
(counterclockwise) around the origin starting from point A [Fig. 3]. We have z = rei, w=rei/2 so that at A, =1
and w=rei/2 .After a complete circuit back to A, =1+2π and w=-rei/2. Thus, we have not achieved the same
value of w with which we started. However, by making a second complete circuit back to A, i.e., =1+4π,
w=rei/2 and we then do obtain the same value of w with which we started.
We can describe the above by stating that if 0 2π, we are on one branch of the multiple-valued function z1/2,
while if 2π 4π, we are on the other branch of the function. It is clear that each branch of the function is
single-valued. In order to keep the function single-valued, we set up an artificial barrier such as OB where B is at
infinity which we agree not to cross. This barrier is called a branch line or branch cut, and point O is called a
branch point. It should be noted that a circuit around any point other than z = 0 does not lead to different values;
thus, z ¼ 0 is the only finite branch point.
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Limits
Let a function f be defined at all points z in some deleted neighborhood of z0. The statement that the limit of f (z)
as z approaches z0 is a number w0, or that
means that the point w = f (z) can be made arbitrarily close to w0 if we choose the point z close enough to z0 but
distinct from it. Statement of the limits means that for each positive number ε, there is a positive number δ such
that
Geometrically, this definition says that for each ε neighborhood |w − w0| < ε of w0, there is a deleted δ
neighborhood 0 < |z − z0| < δ of z0 such that every point z in it has an image w lying in the ε neighborhood
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Theorems on Limits
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Infinity:
By means of the transformation w = 1/z, the point z = 0 (i.e., the origin) is mapped into w = ∞, called the
point at infinity in the w plane. Similarly, we denote by z = ∞, the point at infinity in the z plane. To
consider the behavior of f (z) at z =∞, it suffices to let z = 1/w and examine the behavior of f(1/w) at w =
0.
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