MATH F112- Complex Variables
Saranya G. Nair
Department of Mathematics
BITS Pilani
May 18, 2023
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 1 / 20
Functions of a complex variable
Let S be a set of complex numbers.
• A function f defined on S is a rule that assigns to each z ∈ S a
complex number w .
• The number w is called the value of f at z and is denoted by f (z), i.e
w = f (z).
• The set S is called the domain of definition of f .
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 2 / 20
Functions of a complex variable
Let S be a set of complex numbers.
• A function f defined on S is a rule that assigns to each z ∈ S a
complex number w .
• The number w is called the value of f at z and is denoted by f (z), i.e
w = f (z).
• The set S is called the domain of definition of f .
If
f (z) = z 2 ,
by putting z = x + iy , we see
f (x + iy ) = (x + iy )2 = x 2 − y 2 + i2xy .
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 2 / 20
Functions of a complex variable
Let S be a set of complex numbers.
• A function f defined on S is a rule that assigns to each z ∈ S a
complex number w .
• The number w is called the value of f at z and is denoted by f (z), i.e
w = f (z).
• The set S is called the domain of definition of f .
If
f (z) = z 2 ,
by putting z = x + iy , we see
f (x + iy ) = (x + iy )2 = x 2 − y 2 + i2xy .
Real part of f (z) = x 2 − y 2 and Imaginary part of f (z) = 2xy
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 2 / 20
Thus for z = x + iy , we write
w = f (z) = u + iv ,
where u and v are the real and imaginary parts of w , respectively.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 3 / 20
Thus for z = x + iy , we write
w = f (z) = u + iv ,
where u and v are the real and imaginary parts of w , respectively. Since u
and v depend on x and y , they can be considered to be real functions of
the real variables x and y , i.e, u = u(x, y ) and v = v (x, y ).
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 3 / 20
Thus for z = x + iy , we write
w = f (z) = u + iv ,
where u and v are the real and imaginary parts of w , respectively. Since u
and v depend on x and y , they can be considered to be real functions of
the real variables x and y , i.e, u = u(x, y ) and v = v (x, y ). Thus,
f (z) = f (x + iy ) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ). (1)
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 3 / 20
Thus for z = x + iy , we write
w = f (z) = u + iv ,
where u and v are the real and imaginary parts of w , respectively. Since u
and v depend on x and y , they can be considered to be real functions of
the real variables x and y , i.e, u = u(x, y ) and v = v (x, y ). Thus,
f (z) = f (x + iy ) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ). (1)
If the function v always has value zero, then the value of f is always real.
That is, f is a real-valued function of a complex variable.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 3 / 20
Thus for z = x + iy , we write
w = f (z) = u + iv ,
where u and v are the real and imaginary parts of w , respectively. Since u
and v depend on x and y , they can be considered to be real functions of
the real variables x and y , i.e, u = u(x, y ) and v = v (x, y ). Thus,
f (z) = f (x + iy ) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ). (1)
If the function v always has value zero, then the value of f is always real.
That is, f is a real-valued function of a complex variable.
Example
The function f (z) = |z|2 = x 2 + y 2 is a real-valued function.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 3 / 20
Express the following f (z) in the form f (z) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ).
• f (z) = z̄ Re(z) + z 2 + Im(z)
• f (z) = z 4 in the form f (z) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ).
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 4 / 20
If u(x, y ) and v (x, y ) are given, then the formulas
z + z̄
x=
2
and
z − z̄
y=
2i
can be used to find a formula for f involving the variables z and z̄.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 5 / 20
If u(x, y ) and v (x, y ) are given, then the formulas
z + z̄
x=
2
and
z − z̄
y=
2i
can be used to find a formula for f involving the variables z and z̄.
• Express f (z) = 4x 2 + i4y 2 by a formula involving the variables z and
z̄.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 5 / 20
If u(x, y ) and v (x, y ) are given, then the formulas
z + z̄
x=
2
and
z − z̄
y=
2i
can be used to find a formula for f involving the variables z and z̄.
• Express f (z) = 4x 2 + i4y 2 by a formula involving the variables z and
z̄.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 5 / 20
If the polar coordinates r and θ, instead of x and y , are used, then
u + iv = f (re iθ )
where w = u + iv and z = re iθ .
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 6 / 20
If the polar coordinates r and θ, instead of x and y , are used, then
u + iv = f (re iθ )
where w = u + iv and z = re iθ . In that case, we may write
f (z) = u(r , θ) + iv (r , θ).
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 6 / 20
If the polar coordinates r and θ, instead of x and y , are used, then
u + iv = f (re iθ )
where w = u + iv and z = re iθ . In that case, we may write
f (z) = u(r , θ) + iv (r , θ).
• Express f (z) = z 5 + 4z 2 − 6 in the polar coordinate form
u(r , θ) + iv (r , θ).
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 6 / 20
Examples
• The mapping w = z + 1 = (x + 1) + iy , where z = x + iy , can be
thought of as a translation of each point z one unit to the right.
• The mapping w = iz = r exp(i(θ + π2 )), where z = re iθ , rotates the
radius vector for each nonzero point z through a right angle about
the origin in the counterclockwise direction
• The mapping w = z̄ = x − iy transforms each point z = x + iy into
its reflection in the real axis.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 7 / 20
• Consider the function f (z) = iz. Where does the line y = x + 1
mapped under this function?
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 8 / 20
• Consider the function f (z) = iz. Where does the line y = x + 1
mapped under this function?
Ans: (onto) the line v = −u − 1.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 8 / 20
• Consider the function f (z) = iz. Where does the line y = x + 1
mapped under this function?
Ans: (onto) the line v = −u − 1.
• Consider the function w = iz + i. Where does the right half plane
Re(z) > 1 mapped under this function?
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 8 / 20
• Consider the function f (z) = iz. Where does the line y = x + 1
mapped under this function?
Ans: (onto) the line v = −u − 1.
• Consider the function w = iz + i. Where does the right half plane
Re(z) > 1 mapped under this function?
Ans: (onto) the upper half plane Im(w ) > 2.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 8 / 20
Consider the function
f (z) = exp z.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 9 / 20
Consider the function
f (z) = exp z.
• Where does the line x = c1 mapped under this function?
• Where does the line y = c2 mapped under this function?
• Where does the rectangular region a ≤ x ≤ b, c ≤ y ≤ d mapped
under this function?
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 9 / 20
Complex functions as Vector Field
One interpretation of a function w = f (z) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ) is that of a
vector field in the domain of definition of f . The function assigns a vector
w , with components u(x, y ) and v (x, y ), to each point z at which it is
defined.
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 10 / 20
Complex functions as Vector Field
One interpretation of a function w = f (z) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y ) is that of a
vector field in the domain of definition of f . The function assigns a vector
w , with components u(x, y ) and v (x, y ), to each point z at which it is
defined.
Example
Indicate graphically the vector fields represented by
1 w = iz,
z
2 w= |z| .
Saranya G. Nair (BITS Pilani) Mathematics I May 18, 2023 10 / 20
