Topic 09: Conformal Mappings, Mobius Tranformations: MA201 Mathematics III

Topic 09: Conformal Mappings, Mobius
Tranformations
MA201 Mathematics III
Instructors: MGPP, DCD, AC, ST
IIT Guwahati
Instructors: MGPP, DCD, AC, ST Topic 09: Conformal Mappings, Mobius Tranformations 1 / 36
Topic 09: Learning Outcome
We learn
Conformal Mappings
Mobius Transformations
Conformal Mappings
Angle between Two Curves
Definition
Let γ1 and γ2 be two smooth curves that intersect at the point z0 ∈ C.
Let T1 and T2 be the tangent vectors of γ1 and γ2 respectively at the
point z0 . We define the angle between γ1 and γ2 at z0 to be the angle θ
measured counterclockwise from the tangent vector T1 to the tangent
vector T2 .
Let Γ1 and Γ2 be the images of the two curves γ1 and γ2 under the
function w = f (z). Since γ1 and γ2 intersect at the point z0 , the image
curves Γ1 and Γ2 intersect at the point w0 = f (z0 ). Let us denote the
tangents at w0 of Γ1 and Γ2 respectively by T1∗ and T2∗ .
Definition
Conformal Map: We say that the mapping w = f (z) is a conformal
mapping at z0 if, whenever two smooth curves γ1 and γ2 that intersect
at z0 , the angle between these two curves γ1 and γ2 is the same as the
angle between the image curves Γ1 and Γ2 (under the map w = f (z))
at the point w0 = f (z0 ), and the sense of the angle between the curves
and their images is also preserved under the mapping.
Here, by preservation of the sense of an angle under a mapping, we
mean that if at z0 the tangent T2 is obtained from the tangent T1 by a
counterclockwise rotation through an angle θ, then at w0 = f (z0 ) the
tangent T2∗ is obtained from the tangent T1∗ in precisely the same
manner.
A conformal mapping is a mapping that preserves the angle between
intersecting curves together with the sense in which the angle is
measured.
Theorem
If f is analytic at the point z0 and if f 0 (z0 ) 6= 0 then f is conformal at z0 .
Example: The function f (z) = ez is conformal in C.
Corollary: If f is analytic and one-to-one on a domain D, then f is

conformal at all points of D.
Example: The function f (z) = az + b is conformal in C.

Map w = z 2
The map w = z 2 is conformal at all non-zero complex points.

The map w = z 2 is not conformal at z = 0.
To see this,
the angle between the two rays R1 : θ = 0 and R2 : θ = π/2 in the
z-plane is π/2.
Under the map w = z 2 ,
the image of R1 is given by R1∗ : θ = 0 and the image of R2 is given by
R2∗ : θ = π in the w-plane.
The angle between R1∗ and R2∗ is π and it is not equal to the angle
between R1 and R2 which is π/2.
Therefore, the map w = z 2 is not conformal at z = 0.
Map w = z
The map w = z is not conformal at any point in C.

The map w = z preserves the magnitude of the angle between the
two curves, but does not preserve the sense in which the angle is
measured.
A map that preserves the magnitude, but not the sense of the
angle between two curves is called an isogonal mapping.
Angle between two curves at an intersecting point ∞
Two continuous curves γ1 and γ2 in the extended complex plane C b

form an angle θ at an intersecting point z = ∞ if and only if their
images γ1∗ and γ2∗ in the extended complex plane under the
transformation ζ = 1/z form an angle θ at the intersecting point ζ = 0.
Examples:
The map w = 1/z is conformal at z = ∞.
The map w = az + b is conformal at z = ∞.
Riemann Mapping Theorem
Theorem
Riemann Mapping Theorem: Suppose D is a simply connected
domain with at least two points in its boundary. Let p be a point in D,
Then there is a one-to-one anlalytic function φ(z) that maps D onto the
open unit disk U = {w : |w| < 1} and φ(p) = 0. Furthermore, φ is
uniquely determined by the requirement that φ0 (p) be positive.
Example: Let D = {z ∈ C : =(z) > 0 and let p = i in D. Then there is

one-to-one analytic function φ that maps D onto the open unit disk
z−i
U = {w : |w| < 1} and φ(i) = 0 and is given by w = φ(z) = .
z+i
Let D1 and D2 be two simply connected domains each with two or
more boundary points. As a consequence of the Riemann mapping
theorem that there exists a one-to-one analytic function φ that maps
D1 onto D2 .
Use of Conformal Mappings
Previous theorem guarantees a conformal mapping between the half

plane onto a polygon (or open disk) that helps us to solve the problems
in the potential theory.
It guarantees a conformal mapping (w = z + 1/z) between a disk and
an airfoil.
Image of Grids under various Conformal Maps
Red color curves are image of vertical lines of the z-plane.

Blue color curves are image of horizontal lines of the z-plane.
Mobius Transformations
(A simple and elementary conformal mapping)
Mobius Transformation
Definition
A Mobius transformation is a mapping of the form
az + b
w = T (z) =
cz + d
where a, b, c, d are complex constants satisfying ad − bc 6= 0.
Mobius transforations are also called fractional linear transformations

or linear fractional transformations or bilinear transformations or
homographic transformations.
A Mobius transformation can be written as Azw + Bz + Cw + D = 0
where AD − BC 6= 0. It is linear in z and linear in w and hence called a
bilinear transformation.
(1 + i)z + 5
Example: T (z) = is a Mobius transformation.
3z + (4 − 2i)
Special Kind of Mobius Maps
Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = z + b where b 6= 0 are

called translations. Under this mapping every point is shifted by
the vector corresponding to b.
Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = eiθ z where θ ∈ R are
called rotations. Every point is rotated about the origin through the
angle θ under this transformation.
Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = ρz where ρ is a positive
real constant are called magnifications. The distance between any
two points is magnified by the factor ρ under this transformation.
Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = az where a is a
non-zero complex constant are called dilations. The distance of
every point from the origin is magnified by the factor |a| and the
point is rotated about the origin through the angle arg(a) under
this transformation.
Continuation...
Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = az + b where a 6= 0 are

called affine transformations. The affine transformation can be
considered as the composition of a rotation, a magnification and a
translation.
1
The Mobius transformation T (z) = is called an inversion.
z
Mobius Map is One-to-One
A Mobius transformation is a one-to-one function. To see this,

Suppose that
az1 + b az2 + b
= T (z1 ) = T (z2 ) = .
cz1 + d cz2 + d
Then
(az1 + b)(cz2 + d) = (az2 + b)(cz1 + d)
and gives that
(ad − bc)z1 = (ad − bc)z2 .
Consequently, z1 = z2 .
Therefore, the function T is a one-to-one function in C \ { −d
c }.
Mobius Map is Onto
Let w be an arbitrary complex number such that w 6= a/c.

Then we want to find a complex number z such that T (z) = w.
−dw + b
If T (z) = az+b
cz+d = w then it gives that z = cw − a .
Consequently, the function T is onto.
Therefore, the Mobius transformation T (z) is a one-to-one function
from C \ { −d a
c } onto C \ { c }.
Suppose that c 6= 0 in the expression of T (z) = az+b
cz+d . Observe that the
Mobius transformation T has a simple pole at −d/c and
lim T (z) = a/c.
z→∞
Let us define T (−d/c) = ∞ and T (∞) = a/c, if c 6= 0.
If c = 0 then define T (∞) = ∞.
Then, T is a one-to-one function from the extended complex plane
b = C ∪ {∞} onto the extended complex plane C
C b
Mobius Map is invertible
b →C
Since T : C b is one-one and onto, the inverse of T exists.
The inverse transformation T −1 of the Mobius transformation

T (z) = az+b
cz+d is given by
−dz + b
T −1 (z) = for all z ∈ C
b.
cz − a
which is also a Mobius transformation.
Note:In the above, we have shown that the Mobius transformation is a
one-to-one mapping of the extended complex plane onto itself.
Conversely, a one-to-one (meromorphic) mapping of the extended
complex plane onto itself is the Mobius transformation.
Properties of Mobius Transformations
1 The composition of two Mobius transformations is again a Mobius
transformation.
2 A Mobius tranfromation can have atmost two fixed points unless it
is an identity map (T (z) = z for all z).
az + b
3 Let T (z) = be a Mobius tranformation. Rewrite T (z) as a
cz + d
sequence of transformations in the following:

1 bc − ad bc − ad 1 bc − ad
z 7→ cz +d 7→ 7→ 7→ a+ 7→ a+
cz + d cz + d cz + d c cz + d
when c 6= 0. If c = 0 then T (z) = ad z + db . Then, the Mobius

transformation T is the composition of translations, dilations, and
the inversion.
Every Mobius transformation is the composition of translations,
dilations, and the inversion.
Properties - Continuation ...
4 Every Mobius transformation is a conformal mapping of the
extended complex plane onto itself.
5 Given any three distinct points z1 , z2 , z3 in the extended complex
plane, and any given three distinct values (points) w1 , w2 , w3 in
the extended complex plane, there is a unique Mobius
transformation w = T (z) such that w1 = T (z1 ), w2 = T (z2 ),
w3 = T (z3 ). This unique Mobius tranformation is given by solving
for w the following equation

w − w1 w2 − w3 z − z1 z2 − z3
= .
w1 − w2 w3 − w z 1 − z2 z3 − z
Note: In the above equation, if any one of the points is ∞, for example,
let z2 = ∞, then replace z2 = 1/z2∗ in the above implicit relation/
equation, do computation, and at the end substitute z2∗ = 0.
Properties - Continuation ...
6 One can show that the Mobius transformation taking zi to wi

where zi and wi are in C can be expressed in the determinant
form as
1 z w zw

1 z 1 w1 z 1 w1
1 z 2 w2 z 2 w2 = 0 .

1 z 3 w3 z 3 w3
7 A Mobius transformation maps circles and straight lies onto circles

or straight lines.
Examples
Example 1:
Find the Mobius transformation that maps 0, 1, 2 to −1, 0, 4
respectively.
Details worked out on the board.
Answer:
8z − 8
w= .
−3z + 8
Example 2:
Find the Mobius transformation that maps −i, 1, i to −1, 0, 1
respectively.
Answer:
i (1 − z)
w= .
1+z
Example (One of the points is ∞ in z-plane or w-plane
or in both)
Example:
Find the Mobius transformation that maps z1 = 1, z2 = 0, z3 = −1 onto
the points w1 = i, w2 = ∞, w3 = 1 respectively.
Answer:
(1 + i)z + (i − 1)
w= .
2z
Orientation Determined by 3 Distinct Points on the
Circle/ Straight Line
If Γ is a circle (including straight lines) then an orientation for Γ is an
ordered triple of points (z1 , z2 , z3 ) such that each zj is in Γ . These
three points not only determine the circle Γ uniquely but also give a
direction (without any ambiguity) to Γ , by proceeding through the
points z1 , z2 , z3 in succession. If you start walking on the circle from z1
to z2 , then z2 to z3 and then z3 to z1 (via ∞ in case of straight lines), it
gives an orientation to the circle. Further while walking in this manner
on the circle, the region comes on the left hand sideis called the left
region and the region comes on the right hand side is called the right
region.
Orientation Principle of Mobius Maps
Orientation Principle: Let Γ1 and Γ2 be two circles in C b and let T be a

Mobius transformation which maps Γ1 onto Γ2 . Let (z1 , z2 , z3 ) be the
orientation for Γ1 and (T (z1 ), T (z2 ), T (z3 )) be the orientation for
Γ2 = T (Γ1 ). Then
T maps the right region of Γ1 onto the right region of Γ2 .
T maps the left region of Γ1 onto the left region of Γ2 .
Cross Ratio of 4 Points
If z1 , z2 , z3 and z4 are four distinct points in C,

b then the cross ratio of
z1 , z2 , z3 and z4 is the image of z1 under the unique Mobius
transformation which takes z2 to 0, z3 to 1, and z4 to ∞ and it is
denoted by (z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ).
The expression for the cross ratio (z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) is given by

z1 − z2 z 3 − z4
(z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) = .
z2 − z3 z 4 − z1
Recall that a circle in the extended complex plane passing through ∞

corresponds to a straight line in C. Hence, the word ‘circles’ include
the ‘straight lines’ also.
Thus, a Mobius transformation maps circles onto circles.
Cross Ratio is Real: When?
Result: Let Γ be a circle passing through the points z2 , z3 and z4 .

Then, the point z1 is on Γ if and only if the cross ratio (z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) is
a real number.
Result: The cross ratio of four points (z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) is invariant under

any Mobius transformations. That is,
(z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) = (T z1 , T z2 , T z3 , T z4 ) .
Result: For any given circles Γ and Γ ∗ in C,

b there is a Mobius
∗
transformation T such that T (Γ ) = Γ . Furthermore, we can specify
that T take any three points on Γ onto any three points of Γ ∗ . If we
specify these points then T is unique.
Symmetry Principle of Mobius Map
Let Γ be a circle through the points z2 , z3 , z4 . The points z and z ∗ in C
b
are said to be symmetric with respect to Γ if
(z ∗ , z2 , z3 , z4 ) = (z, z2 , z3 , z4 ) .
Equivalently, we can say that the points z and z ∗ in C b are symmetric

with respect to Γ if every circle passing through z and z ∗ intersects Γ
orthogonally.
It appears that the definition of symmetric points not only depends on
the circle but also on the points z2 , z3 , z4 , but it is not true. The
definition of symmetric points does not depend on the choice of points
z2 , z3 , z4 .
Symmetry Principle: If a Mobius transformation T maps a circle Γ1

onto the circle Γ2 then any pair of points symmetric with respect to Γ1
are mapped by T onto a pair of points symmetric with respect to Γ2 .
Brown & Churchill, Section 88, Page 313
Determine all Mobius transformations or the most general Mobius
transformation that map the upper half plane Im(z) > 0 on to the unit
open disk |w| < 1.
Note that a Mobius transformation maps boundary points into
boundary points. That is, it will map Im(z) = 0 onto |w| = 1.
Idea: Select three distinct points on Im(z) = 0 and impose conditions
that they should be mapped onto points on the unit circle |w| = 1 by
Mobius transformations.
Step 1:
Choose three points as z = 0, z = 1 and z = ∞ on Im(z) = 0.
Let
az + b
w = T (z) = (ad − bc 6= 0) .
cz + d
Step 2: Imposing the image of z = 0 lies on |w| = 1

b b
T (0) = =⇒ |T (0)| = = 1 =⇒ |b| = |d| =
6 0.
d d
Step 3: Imposing the image of z = ∞ lies on |w| = 1
Since T (∞) 6= ∞, we conclude that c 6= 0 in T (z) = az+b
cz+d .
a a
T (∞) = =⇒ |T (∞)| = = 1 =⇒ |a| = |c| =
6 0.

c c
Step 4: Rewriting T (z)
az + b a z + (b/a)
T (z) =
=
cz + d c z + (d/c)
Observer that |b/d| = 1 and |a/c| = 1 gives that

b a b d
=
d =⇒ = 1 = 6= 0 .
c a c
Set
−b −d
z0 = and z1 = =⇒ |z0 | = |z1 | =
6 0.
a c
a z − z z − z0
0
T (z) = = eiα
c z − z1 z − z1
where α is a real number and |z0 | = |z1 | =
6 0.
Step 5: Imposing the image of z = 1 lies on |w| = 1

iα 1 − z0
iα 1 − z0
T (1) = e =⇒ |T (1)| = e
=1
1 − z1 1 − z1
=⇒ |1 − z0 | = |1 − z1 | =⇒ |1 − z0 |2 = |1 − z1 |2
=⇒ (1 − z0 )(1 − z0 ) = (1 − z1 )(1 − z1 ) =⇒ z0 + z0 = z1 + z1
=⇒ Re(z0 ) = Re(z1 ) =⇒ either z1 = z0 or z1 = z0

If z1 = z0 then T (z) = eiα which is a constant map and hence it is NOT
possible. So, z1 = z0 .
Step 6:
z − z0
T (z) = eiα
z − z0
Since T (z0 ) = 0, we conclude that Im(z0 ) > 0. Note that α is a real
number.
Step 7: It remains to show that, conversely, any Mobius transformation
of the form
z − z0
w = ei α where α ∈ R and Im(z0 ) > 0
z − z0
maps Im(z) > 0 on to |w| < 1.
This can be checked by interpreting geometrically. If z lies above the
real axis, both z and the point z0 lie in the upper half plane and hence

z − z0
|z − z0 | < |z − z0 | =⇒ |w| =
<1.
z − z0
If z lies below the real axis, both z and the point z0 lie in the lower half
plane and hence

z − z0
|z − z0 | > |z − z0 | =⇒ |w| =
>1.
z − z0
If z lies on the real axis,

z − z0
|z − z0 | = |z − z0 | =⇒ |w| =
=1.
z − z0
Find the image of the right half plane Re (z) > 0 under
w = i(1 − z)/(1 + z).
Given Mobius map does: z1 = −i 7→ w1 = −1, z2 = 0 7→ w2 = i,
z3 = i 7→ w3 = 1.
The right half plane Re (z) > 0 lies on the right of the line Re (z) = 0
uniquely determined by the points z1 = −i, z2 = 0, z3 = i.
Note that the corresponding image points w1 = −1, w2 = i, w3 = 1 lie
on the unit circle |w| = 1.
By orientation principle of Mobius transformation, it follows that a
Mobius transformation maps left region onto left region and right
region onto right region respectively.
Thus the right region Re (z) > 0 gets mapped onto the right region of
the unit circle |w| = 1 which is uniquely determined by w1 = −1,
w2 = i, w3 = 1.
Therefore, the image of the right half plane Re (z) > 0 under the given
Mobius map is |w| < 1.
Find the image of the straight line Re (z) = a (constant) in the z-plane
under the mapping w = (z − 1)/(z + 1).
This map is used to display the range of impedance of electrical circuit.
See: Impedance Smith Chart.
This problem indicates constant resistant contours.
Schwarz-Christoffel Transformation (This Topic is Self-Study and it is
Not included for any exams of MA201)
Many applications involving conformal mappings require the

construction of a one-to-one conformal mapping from the upper half
plane =(z) > 0 onto a domain G in the w-plane where the boundary
consists of straight line segments. One such construction of mapping
is the Schwarz-Christoffel transformation which is an analytic
conformal mapping of the upper half plane onto a polygon.
See: Brown & Churchill, Chapter 11.

Topic 09: Conformal Mappings, Mobius Tranformations: MA201 Mathematics III

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Topic 09: Conformal Mappings, Mobius

Instructors: MGPP, DCD, AC, ST

Example: The function f (z) = ez is conformal in C.

Corollary: If f is analytic and one-to-one on a domain D, then f is

Example: The function f (z) = az + b is conformal in C.

The map w = z 2 is conformal at all non-zero complex points.

The map w = z is not conformal at any point in C.

Two continuous curves γ1 and γ2 in the extended complex plane C b

Example: Let D = {z ∈ C : =(z) > 0 and let p = i in D. Then there is

Previous theorem guarantees a conformal mapping between the half

Red color curves are image of vertical lines of the z-plane.

Mobius transforations are also called fractional linear transformations

Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = z + b where b 6= 0 are

Mobius transformations of the form T (z) = az + b where a 6= 0 are

A Mobius transformation is a one-to-one function. To see this,

Let w be an arbitrary complex number such that w 6= a/c.

The inverse transformation T −1 of the Mobius transformation

when c 6= 0. If c = 0 then T (z) = ad z + db . Then, the Mobius

6 One can show that the Mobius transformation taking zi to wi

7 A Mobius transformation maps circles and straight lies onto circles

Orientation Principle: Let Γ1 and Γ2 be two circles in C b and let T be a

If z1 , z2 , z3 and z4 are four distinct points in C,

The expression for the cross ratio (z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) is given by

Recall that a circle in the extended complex plane passing through ∞

Result: Let Γ be a circle passing through the points z2 , z3 and z4 .

Result: The cross ratio of four points (z1 , z2 , z3 , z4 ) is invariant under

Result: For any given circles Γ and Γ ∗ in C,

Equivalently, we can say that the points z and z ∗ in C b are symmetric

Symmetry Principle: If a Mobius transformation T maps a circle Γ1

=⇒ Re(z0 ) = Re(z1 ) =⇒ either z1 = z0 or z1 = z0

Many applications involving conformal mappings require the

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