Limit of Complex-Valued Function with Visualizations
Dr. G.K. Prajapati
Definition
Let f (z) be a function defined on a neighborhood of z0 ∈ C (except possibly at z0 ). We say
that
lim f (z) = L
z→z0
if for every ε > 0, there exists δ > 0 such that for all z with 0 < |z − z0 | < δ, we have
|f (z) − L| < ε.
This is similar to the epsilon-delta definition in real analysis, but here z ∈ C, so the
approach to z0 can be from any direction in the complex plane.
Important Notes
• Limits in complex analysis must be independent of the path of approach.
• To check whether a limit exists, try approaching along multiple directions or curves.
• Polar form is helpful: z = reiθ ⇒ x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ
1
Complex Analysis Limits of Functions
x=0
y=x
y=0 x
0
Figure 1: Multiple paths approaching the origin (z → 0) in the complex plane. If the limit
differs along paths, it does not exist.
2
Complex Analysis Limits of Functions
Solved Examples with Visualization
Example 1
z
Evaluate lim
z→0 |z|
Solution: Using polar form z = reiθ , we get:
z reiθ
= = eiθ
|z| r
This depends on the angle θ, hence the limit is path-dependent.
Limit does not exist.
y
Figure 2: Different approach directions to origin yield different z
|z|
= eiθ values
Example 2
z z̄
Evaluate lim
z→0 |z|2
Solution:
z z̄
z z̄ = |z|2 ⇒ =1
|z|2
Limit exists and is 1
Example 3
x2 + y 2
Evaluate lim
z→0 z
Solution:
x2 + y 2 |z|2 r2
= = iθ = re−iθ
z z re
3
Complex Analysis Limits of Functions
Depends on θ Limit does not exist
Example 4
x2 − y 2
Evaluate lim
z→0 x2 + y 2
Solution: Polar form:
x2 − y 2
= cos(2θ)
x2 + y 2
Depends on θ, so the limit does not exist
y
x=0 y=x
x
y=0
Figure 3: Approaching origin along different lines shows path dependence
Example 5
z2
Evaluate lim
z→0 |z|
Solution:
z2
= re2iθ ⇒ depends on θ ⇒ Limit does not exist
|z|
4
Complex Analysis Limits of Functions
Other Examples (Without Diagrams)
z2 − 1
• Example 6: lim =z+1⇒ 2
z→1 z − 1
z
• Example 7: lim : Along real axis = 1, imaginary axis = -1 Does not exist
z→0 z̄
|z|2
• Example 8: lim = re−iθ ⇒ Does not exist
z→0 z
x2 y
• Example 9: lim Try various paths All tend to 0 0
z→0 x2 + y 2
x2 − y 2
• Example 10: lim = cos(2θ) ⇒ Path dependent ⇒ Does not exist
z→0 x2 + y 2
1 Answer the following questions:
Q1. Which of the following best describes the limit of a complex function f (z) as z → z0 ?
A) The value of the function at z0
B) The derivative of the function at z0
C) The value that f (z) approaches as z approaches z0 from any path in the complex plane
D) The maximum value of f (z) near z0
Answer:
Q2. Which of the following is a necessary condition for the limit limz→z0 f (z) to exist?
A) f (z) is differentiable at z0
B) f (z) is continuous at z0
C) limz→z0 f (z) exists and is the same along all paths
D) f (z) is real-valued
Answer:
Q3. What is the value of the limit: limz→0 z
|z|
?
A) 1 B) 0 C) -1 D) Does not exist
Answer:
Q4. Let f (z) = z̄z . What is limz→0 f (z)?
Answer:
5
Complex Analysis Limits of Functions
z2
Q5. Let f (z) = |z|
. Then limz→0 f (z) is:
Answer:
Q6. Which of the following functions has a limit as z → 0?
z2
A) zz̄ B) |z| C) z z̄ D) |z|z
Answer:
Q7. If a function f (z) is differentiable at a point z0 , then:
A) The limit does not exist
B) f (z) must be constant
C) f (z) is continuous at z0
D) f (z) is real-valued at z0
Answer:
z2
Q8. Let f (z) = z
for z ̸= 0, and f (0) = 0. Then limz→0 f (z) is:
Answer:
Q9. If f (z) = |z|, then limz→0 f (z)
z
equals:
Answer:
Q10. The function f (z) = Re(z)
|z|
as z → 0 has:
Answer:
