In this lecture we define the limit of a complex function, examine some of its
properties and applications.
Concept of neighbourhood in real numbers
The set of all real numbers x that satisfy the inequality | x − x0 | , ( 0) is
called neighbourhood of x0 R.
Now
| x − x0 |
x0 − x x0 +
x ( x0 − , x0 + ).
A deleted neighbourhood of x0 is defined as the set of all real numbers x such
that
0 | x − x0 | .
Neighbourhood in complex numbers
The neighbourhood of a complex number z0 , is the disk centered at z0 and
radius i.e. | z − z0 | . The deleted neighbouhood is defined in the same way as
in real i.e. 0 | z − z0 | .
Limit of real function
The limit of a function f ( x) as x tends to x0 exists and equal to L if for every
0 there exists a 0 such that
| f ( x) − L | , whenever 0 | x − x0 | .
It is well know from elementary calculus that lim x→x = L if and only if
0
lim = L and lim+ = L
x → x0− x → x0
Remark.
The existence of left hand (right hand) limit does not guarantees that right hand
(left hand) limit also exists.
Example
Consider f ( x) = x − 1 . Then lim x→1 f ( x) = 0 but lim x→1 f ( x) does not exist.
+ −
Limit of a complex function
Suppose that complex function f is defined in a deleted neighbourhood of z0
and suppose that L is a complex number. The limit of f as z → z0 exists and is
equal to L , written as zlim f ( z ) = L if for every 0 there exists a 0 such
→z0
that
| f ( z ) − L | whenever 0 | z − z0 | .
Example
Using - definition, show that
lim (2 + i) z = 1 + 3i.
z →1+ i
Solution
Here f ( z ) = (1 + i) z, z0 = 1 + i and we want to show that L = 1 + 3i . For this it is
enough to prove that
| (2 + i) z − (1 + 3i) | whenever 0 | z − (1 + i) | .
Now for 0 , we want to find 0 such that relation holds. One way of
finding is to work backwards. Consider
1 + 3i
| (2 + i ) z − (1 + 3i) |=| 2 + i | z −
2+i
= 5 | z − (1 + i ) |
Now if
| (2 + i ) z − (1 + 3i ) |
5 | z − (1 + i ) |
| z − (1 + i ) | = .
5
So, for 0 there exists = 0 such that holds. Hence
5
lim (2 + i) z = 1 + 3i.
z →1+ i
Criterion for the nonexistence of a limit
If f approaches two complex numbers L1 L2 for two different paths through
z0 , then lim z →z f ( z ) does not exist.
0
Example
z
Show that lim z → z0 does not exist.
z
Solution
Approaching 0 along real axis
z x + 0i
lim = lim = lim1 = 1.
z →0 z x →0 x − 0i x →0
Approaching 0 along imaginary axis
z 0 + iy
= lim
lim = lim(−1) = −1
z →0 z y → 0 0 − iy y →0
z
From and it is clear that lim z → z0 does not exist.
z
Real multivariable limits
Limit of real valued function of two real variables F ( x, y)
The limit of F as ( x, y ) tends to ( x0 , y0 ) exists and is equatl to real number L
if for 0 there exists a 0 such that
| F ( x, y ) − L | whenever 0 ( x − x0 ) 2 + ( y − y0 ) 2 .
Real and imaginary parts of a limit
Suppose that f ( z ) = u ( x, y ) + iv( x, y ), z0 = x0 + iy0 and L = u0 + iv0 . Then
lim f ( z ) = L if and only if lim u ( x, y ) = u0 and lim v( x, y ) = v0
z → z0 ( x , y ) →( x0 , y0 ) ( x , y ) →( x0 , y0 )
Example
Using above result find
lim ( z 2 + 1)
z →1+ i
Solution
Let f ( z ) = z 2 + i = ( x 2 − y 2 ) + (2 xy + 1)i
u ( x, y ) − x 2 − y 2 and v( x, y ) = 2 xy + 1 .
Also z0 = 1 + i x0 and y0 = 1 .
Now
u0 = lim ( x 2 − y 2 ) = 0
( x , y ) →(1,1)
v0 = lim (2 xy + 1) = 3
( x , y ) →(1,1)
Thus L = u0 + iv0 = 0 + 3i = 3i and therefore
lim ( z 2 + i ) = 3i.
z →1+ i
Properties of complex limits
Suppose f and g are complex functions. If lim z →z f ( z) = L and 0
limz →z g ( z ) = M then
0
• lim z →z0 cf ( z ) = cL, c is complex constant
• lim z →z0 ( f ( z ) g ( z)) = L M
• limz →z0 ( f ( z ) g ( z )) = LM
f ( z) L
• lim z → z0 = , M 0.
g ( z) M
Example
(3 + i ) z 4 − z 2 + 2 z
lim
z →2 z +1
(3 + i ) lim z →2 z 4 − lim z →2 z 2 + 2 lim z →2 z
=
lim z →2 ( z + 1)
(3 + i )i 4 − I 2 + 2i
=
i +1
7−i
=
2
