Cauchys Theorem 26.5 

Introduction
In this Section we introduce Cauchys Theorem which allows us to simplify the calculation of
certain contour integrals. A second
result, known as Cauchys Integral Formula, allows us to
f (z)
evaluate some integrals of the form dz where z0 lies inside C.
C z z0

 
be familiar with the basic ideas of functions
Prerequisites of a complex variable as in Section 26.1
Before starting this Section you should . . . be familiar with line integrals
 

state and use Cauchys Theorem

Learning Outcomes
After completing this Section you should be
able to . . . state and use Cauchys Integral Formula
1. Cauchys Theorem

Simply-Connected Regions
By a simply-connected region we mean that any closed curve in that region can be shrunk to a
point without any part of it leaving a region. The interior of a square or a circle are examples
of simply connected regions, see Figure 1 (a) and (b). In Figure 1 (c) we see that the region
between the two circles is not simply-connected. Curve C will be able to shrink to a point but
curve C1 will not, due to the hole in its centre.

C1

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 1

Key Point
Cauchys Theorem
This is perhaps the most important theorem in the area of complex analysis. The theorem
states that if f (z) is analytic everywhere within a simply-connected region then:


f (z)dz = 0
C

for every simple closed path C lying in the region.

As a straightforward example note that z 2 dz = 0, where C is the unit circle, since z 2 is
C

analytic everywhere (see Workbook 26.1). Indeed z 2 dz = 0 for any simple contour: it need
C
not be circular.

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
Consider the contour shown in Figure 2 and let f (z) be assumed to be analytic everywhere on
and inside the contour C.
y

D
B

A
C
E

Figure 2
Then by analogy with real line integrals
 

f (z)dz + f (z)dz = f (z)dz = 0 by Cauchy
s Theorem
AEB BDA C

Therefore
  
f (z)dz = f (z)dz = f (z)dz
AEB BDA ADB

(since reversing the direction of integration reverses the sign of the integral).
This implies that we may choose any path between A and B and the integral will have the same
value providing f (z) is analytic in the region concerned.
Integrals of analytic functions only depend on the positions of the points A and B, not on the
path connecting them. This explains the coincidences referred to in Section 26.4 (page 7).

 1+2i
Using simple integration evaluate cos z dz, explaining why this is valid.
i

Your solution

This way of determining the integral is allowed because cos z is analytic (everywhere).
i
cos z dz = [sin z]i1+2i = sin(1 + 2i) sin i.
1+2i 

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
We now investigate what occurs when the closed path of integration does not necessarily lie
within a simply-connected region. Consider the situation described in Figure 3.

y E

F
C2

C1
A

Figure 3
Let f (z) be analytic in the region bounded by the closed curves C1 and C2 . The region is cut
by the line segment joining A and B.
Consider now the closed curve AEABF BA travelling in the direction indicated by the arrows.
No line can cross the cut AB and be regarded as remaining in the region. Because of the cut
the shaded region is simply connected. Cauchys theorem therefore applies (see the second Key
Point).
Therefore


f (z)dz = 0 since f (z) is analytic within and on the curve AEABF BA.
AEABF BA

Note that
 
f (z)dz = f (z)dz, being a simple change of direction.
AB BA

Also, we can divide the closed curve into smaller sections:

   
f (z)dz = f (z)dz + f (z)dz + f (z)dz + f (z)dz
AEABF BA AEA AB BF B BA
 
= f (z)dz + f (z)dz = 0.
AEA BF B

i.e.



f (z)dz f (z)dz = 0
C1 C2

(since we assume

that closed
paths are travelled anticlockwise).
Therefore f (z)dz = f (z)dz.
C1
C2
This allows us to evaluate f (z)dz by replacing C1 by any curve C2 such that the region
C1
between them contains no singularities (see Workbook 26.1) of f (z). Often we choose a circle
for C2 .

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem


6
Example Determine dz where C is the curve |z 3| = 5 shown in
C z(z 3)
Figure 4.
y

C2 C1
2 3 x

Figure 4

Solution
6
We observe that f (z) = is analytic everywhere except at z = 0 and z = 3.
z(z 3)
Let C1 be the circle of unit radius centred at z = 3 and C2 be the unit circle centered at the
origin. By analogy with the previous example we state that




6 6 6
dz = dz + dz.
C z(z 3) C1 z(z 3) C2 z(z 3)

(To show this you would need two cuts: from C to C1 and from C to C2 ).

The remaining parts of this example are presented as guided exercises.

6
Expand into partial functions and then use the Key Point to integrate
z(z 3)
each partial fraction separately.

Your solution

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
 z(z 3) z z3
+ .
6 2 2

B = 2. B.3 = 6 If z = 3

A = 2. A(3) = 6 If z = 0
Then A(z 3) + Bz 6.
z(z 3) z z3 z(z 3)
+ .
6 A B A(z 3) + Bz
Let

Thus:






6 2 2 2 2
dz = dz dz + dz dz
C z(z 3) C1 z3 C1 z C2 z3 C2 z

= I1 I2 + I3 I4 .
1
Now the function is analytic inside and on C1 so that I2 = 0.
z

What is the value of I3 ?

Your solution

z3
is analytic inside and on C2 so that I3 = 0. The function
1

Using the rst Key Point we nd that I1 = 2 2i = 4i.

What is the value of I4 ?

Your solution

again using the rst Key Point (page 9). I4 = 4i

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
 26.5: Cauchys Theorem
HELM (VERSION 1: March 19, 2004): Workbook Level 2 7
 2+3i
2+3i
1. sin zdz = [ cos z]1+i = cos(1 + i) cos(2 + 3i) since sin z is analytic everywhere.
1+i
2.
y
C
C2 C1
2 2 6
x
4
f (z) = is analytic everywhere except at z = 0 and z = 2.
z(z 2)




4 4 4
Call I = dz = dz + dz.
C z(z 2) C1 z(z 2) C2 z(z 2)
4 2 2
Now + so that
z(z 2) z z2





2 2 2 2
I = dz dz + dz dz
C1 z 2 C1 z C2 z 3 C2 z
= I1 + I2 + I3 + I4
I2 and I3 are zero because of analyticity.
I1 = 2 2i = 4i, by the rst Key Point (page 9) and I4 = 4i likewise.
Hence I = 4i 0 + 0 4i = 0.
z(z 2) C
dz where C is the contour |z 2| = 4. 2. Determine
4


1+i
sin zdz. 1. Evaluate
2+3i 
Exercises
C z(z 3)
= 4i 0 + 0 4i = 0.
6dz


Hence, collecting these results together:
2. Cauchys Integral Formula
This is a generalization of the result in the earlier keypoint:

Key Point
Cauchys Integral Formula
If f (z) is analytic inside and on the boundary C of a simply-connected region then for any
point z0 inside C,


f (z)
dz = 2i f (z0 ).
C z z0

Example As an example we evaluate

z
dz
C z2 + 1
where C is the path (refer to Figure 5)
(i) C1 : |z i| = 1
2
(ii) C2 : |z + i| = 1
2
(iii) C3 : |z| = 2.

First note that z 2 + 1 (z + i)(z i).

C1 C3
i

x
C2
i

Figure 5

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
 Solution
z z z/(z + i)
(i) Let = = .
z2 +1 (z + i)(z i) zi
The numerator z/(z + i)is analytic inside and on the path C1 so putting z0 = i in the Cauchy
Integral Formula (Key Point above)

 
z i 1
2
dz = 2i = 2i. = i.
C1 z + 1 i+i 2

z
Use the Cauchy Integral Formula to nd an expression for (ii) dz.
C2 z2 +1

Your solution

z2 + 1 2i C2
dz = 2i = i.
z i

 
z0 = i in the Cauchy Integral Formula
z +1 z+i
Now let 2 = . The numerator is analytic inside and on the path C2 so putting
z z/(z i)

z
Now nd (iii) dz.
C3 z2 +1

Your solution

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
 = i + i = 2i.

z2 + 1 C2 z2 + 1 C1 z2 + 1 C3
dz dz + dz =
z z z




By analogy with the previous example,

The Derivative of an Analytic Function

If f (z) is analytic in a simply-connected region then at any interior point of the region, z0 say,
the derivatives of f (z) of any order exist and are themselves analytic (which illustrates what a
powerful property analyticity is!).
The derivatives at the point z0 are given by Cauchys Integral Formula for derivatives:


(n) n! f (z)
f (z0 ) = dz
2i C (z z0 )n+1
where C is any simple closed curve, in the region, which encloses z0 .
Note the case n = 1:



1 f (z)
f (z0 ) = dz.
2i C (z z0 )2

Example Evaluate the contour integral

z3
dz
C (z 1)2
where C is a contour which encloses the point z = 1

Solution
z3
Since f (z) = has a pole of order 2 at z = 1 then
(z 1)2



z3
f (z) dz = dz
C
(z 1)
2
C

where C
is a circle centered at z = 1.

If g(z) = z 3 then
  g(z)
f (z) dz = C

dz
C
(z 1)2
Since g(z) is analytic within and on the circle C
we use Cauchys Integral Formula for deriva-
tives to show that


z3 1
 2
dz = 2i [g (z)] = 2i 3z z=1 = 6i.
C (z 1)
2 z=1
1!

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26.5: Cauchys Theorem
 26.5: Cauchys Theorem
HELM (VERSION 1: March 19, 2004): Workbook Level 2 11
z z z/(z + 3i)
1. (a) Let =
z2 + 9 (z + 3i)(z 3i) z 3i
z
The numerator is analytic inside and on the path C1 so putting z0 = 3i in
z + 3i
the Cauchy Integral Formula (CIF)

 
z 3i 1
dz = 2i = 2i = i.
C1 z2 + 9 3i + 3i 2
z/(z 3i)
(b) Here
z + 3i
The numerator is analytic inside and on the path C2 so putting z = 3i in CIF:

 
z 3i
dz = 2i = i.
C2 z2 + 9 3i 3i
(c) The integral is the sum of the two previous integrals and has value 2i.
(a) C1 : |z 3i| = 1 (b) C2 : |z + 3i| = 1 (c) C3 : |z| = 6.
+9 z2 C
dz where C is the path: 1. Evaluate
z


Exercises