1

Harmonic function:
Any function which satisfies the Laplace’s equation is known as harmonic function.

Theorem: If f ( z )=u+ ivis an analytic function then uand v are both harmonic
functions.

Proof: Let f ( z )=u+ iv be an analytic function, then we have

∂u ∂ v

{ = −−−−−−(1)
∂x ∂y
∂ u −∂ v
=
∂y ∂x
−−−−−(2)
C−R equations

∂2 u ∂2v
Differentiating (1) partially w.r.to ‘ x ’ we get = −−−−(3)
∂ x2 ∂ x ∂ y

∂2 u −∂2 v
Differentiating (2) partially w.r.to ‘ y ’ we get = −−−−( 4)
∂ y2 ∂ y ∂ x

∂2 u ∂2 u ∂2 v ∂2 v
Adding ( 3 )and( 4),we have 2 + 2 = ∂ x ∂ y − ∂ y ∂ x
∂x ∂ y

∂2 u ∂2 u
⇒ 2 + 2 =0
∂x ∂y

∂2 v ∂ 2 v
Similarly,⇒ + =0
∂ x2 ∂ y 2

Therefore both uand vare harmonic functions.

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Conjugate harmonic functions: Such functions u , v are called conjugate harmonic

functions if u+iv is also an analytic function.

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Examples on Harmonic function3:

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1 2 2
Example-1: Show that the function u= 2 ln ( x + y )is harmonic. Find its harmonic
conjugate.
1 2 2
Solution: Given, u= 2 ln ( x + y )

∂u 1 1 x
∴ = . 2 2 .2 x= 2 2
∂x 2 x +y x +y

∂u 1 1 y
∴ = . 2 2 .2 y = 2 2
∂ y 2 x +y x +y
2 2
∂2 u (x + y ).1−x .2 x y 2 −x2 −x 2− y 2
∴ = = =
∂ x2 2 2 2
( x2 + y2 ) ( x 2+ y 2 ) ( x 2+ y 2)
2 2
∂2 u (x + y ).1− y .2 y x 2− y 2
∴ = =
∂ y2 2 2
( x 2+ y 2 ) ( x 2+ y 2)

∂2 u ∂2 u −x 2− y 2 x 2− y 2
Now, 2
+ 2= 2
+ 2
=0
∂ x ∂ y ( x 2 + y 2 ) ( x 2+ y 2)

Hence uis a harmonic function.

Let vbe the harmonic conjugate ofu.

∂v ∂v −∂ u ∂u
∴ dv= dx+ dy=¿ dv= dx+ dy
∂x ∂y ∂y ∂x

−y x x dy− y dx y
⇒ dv = 2
x +y 2
dx + 2 2 dy=
x +y 2
x +y 2 (
=d tan −1 ( )
x )
−1 y
Integrating, we get v=tan x + c where c is a real constant.

This is the required harmonic conjugate. (Ans.)

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2 2 y
Example-2: Show that the functions u=x − y , v= 2 are harmonic functions of
x + y2
f (x , y ) but not harmonic conjugate.

2 2 y
Solution: Given, u=x − y , v= 2
x + y2

∂u ∂u ∂2 u ∂2 u
∴ =2 x ∴ =−2 y ∴ 2 =2∴ =−2
∂x ∂y ∂x ∂ y2
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∂2 u ∂2 u
Now, + =2−2=0
∂ x2 ∂ y2

Hence u satisfies Laplace’s equation, so u is a harmonic function.

y ∂ v −2 xy
Now, v= ∴ =
2
x +y
2
∂ x ( x2 + y 2 )2

2
∂2 v 2 (x ¿ ¿ 2+ y )2 x
∴ 2
=( x 2+ y 2 ) (−2 y )−(−2 xy ) .2 4
¿
∂x ( x 2+ y 2 )
2 2 2
∂2 v ( x ¿ ¿ 2+ y ) [( x + y ) (−2 y )−(−2 xy ) .4 x ]
⇒ = ¿
∂ x2 ( x 2+ y 2 )
4

2 2 3 2
∂2 v ( x ¿ ¿ 2+ y ) [ −2 x y−2 y +8 x y ]
⇒ = ¿
∂ x2 4
( x2 + y 2 )

∂2 v 6 x 2 y−2 y 3
⇒ 2
= 3
… … … … … … …(1)
∂x ( x2+ y2 )

Again,
2 2
y ∂ v (x + y ).1− y .2 y x 2− y 2
v= 2 2 ∴ = 2
= 2 22
x +y ∂y ( x 2+ y 2) (x + y )

∂2 v 2 2 2 2 2 ( x ¿ ¿ 2+ y 2 ).2 y
∴ 2 = x + y (−2 y )− x − y .2
( ) ( ) 4
¿
∂y ( x2 + y2 )
2 2 3 2 3
∂2 v ( x ¿ ¿ 2+ y ) [−2 x y −2 y −4 x y +4 y ]
⇒ 2= 4
¿
∂y ( x 2+ y2 )

∂2 v −6 x 2 y+ 2 y 3 −6 x 2 y−2 y 3
⇒ 2
= 3
= 3
−−−−−(2)
∂y ( x2 + y2 ) ( x2 + y2 )

∂2 v ∂2 v
Adding (1) and (2), we get + =0
∂ x2 ∂ y2

∂u ∂v ∂u ∂v
But, ∂ x ≠ ∂ y and ∂ y ≠− ∂ x

Therefore u∧v are not harmonic conjugate.

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Example 3: If u(x , y)and v( x , y) are harmonic functions in a region 𝐑, prove that the
∂u ∂v ∂u ∂v
( ) ( )
function ∂ y − ∂ x +i ∂ x + ∂ y is an analytic functionof z=x +iy .

Solution: Since u(x , y)and v( x , y) are harmonic functions in a region 𝐑, therefore

∂2 u ∂2 u ∂2 v ∂2 v
+ =0−−−(1) 2 + 2 =0−−−(2)
∂ x2 ∂ y2 ∂x ∂ y

∂u ∂v ∂u ∂ v
( ) (
Let, f ( z )=R+ iS= ∂ y − ∂ x +i ∂ x + ∂ y )
∂u ∂v ∂u ∂ v
Equating real and imaginary parts, we get R= ∂ y − ∂ x and S= ∂ x + ∂ y

∂R ∂2 u ∂2 v ∂ R ∂2 u ∂2 v
∴ = − −−−(3)∴ = − −−−( 4)
∂ x ∂ x ∂ y ∂ x2 ∂ y ∂ y2 ∂ x ∂ y
2 2 2 2
∂S ∂ u ∂ v ∂S ∂ u ∂ v
∴ = 2+ −−−(5) ∴ = + 2 −−−(6)
∂x ∂ x ∂x ∂ y ∂ y ∂x ∂ y ∂ y

∂2 u ∂ S −∂2 u ∂2 v
Putting the value of 2 from (1) in (5),we get ∂ x = 2 + ∂ x ∂ y −−−(7)
∂x ∂y

∂2 v ∂S ∂2 u ∂2 v
Putting the value of 2 from (2) in (6),we get ∂ y ∂ x ∂ y
= − −−−(8)
∂y ∂ x2

∂R ∂S
From (3) and (8) ∂ x = ∂ y

∂R −∂ S
From (4) and (7) ∂ y = ∂ x

Therefore C−Requations are satisfied and hence the given function is analytic.

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Method to find the conjugate function:(Analytic function)

Case1: Given if f ( z )=u+ iv and u is known To find: v , conjugate function
∂v ∂v
Method: we know that, dv = ∂ x dx + ∂ y dy−−−−( 1 ) [ Total differential ]

∂v ∂u ∂v ∂u −∂u ∂u
Replacing ∂ x by− ∂ y and ∂ y by ∂ x in ( 1 ) ,we get dv = ∂ y dx+ ∂ x dy

∂u ∂u
Integrating, v=−∫ ∂ y dx+∫ ∂ x dy ⇒ v=∫ M dx+∫ N dy−−−(2)
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−∂ u ∂u
Where M = ∂ y and N= ∂ x

∂M ∂ −∂u −∂2 u ∂N ∂ ∂u ∂2 u
( )
So that ∂ y ∂ y ∂ y = 2 And
=
∂y
= ( )
= 2
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x

Since u is a conjugate function, so

∂2 u ∂2 u ∂2 u ∂ 2 u ∂ M ∂ N
+ =0 ⇒− = ⇒ = −−−−( 3)
∂ x2 ∂ y2 ∂ y2 ∂ x2 ∂ y ∂ x

Equation (3) satisfies the condition of an exact differential equation.

So equation (2) can be integrated and thus v is determined.
Consequently, f ( z )=u+ iv can also be determined.
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Case2: Given if f ( z )=u+ iv and v is known To find:u , conjugate function

∂u ∂u
Method: we know that, du= ∂ x dx+ ∂ y dy −−−−( 1 ) [ Total differential ]

∂u ∂v ∂u ∂v ∂v ∂v
Replacing ∂ x by ∂ y and ∂ y by− ∂ x in ( 1 ) ,we get du=
∂y
dx−
∂x
dy

∂v ∂v
On integrating, u=∫ ∂ y dx−∫ ∂ x dy ⇒u=∫ M dx +∫ N dy−−−(2)

∂v −∂ v
Where M = ∂ y and N= ∂ x

∂M ∂ ∂v ∂2 v ∂N ∂ −∂ v −∂2 v
So that ∂ y ∂ y ∂ y
= ( )
=
∂ y2
And =
∂x ∂x ∂x ( )
=
∂ x2

Since u is a conjugate function, so

∂2 v ∂2 v ∂2 v −∂ 2 v ∂ M ∂ N
+ =0 ⇒ = ⇒ = −−−−(3)
∂ x2 ∂ y2 ∂ y2 ∂ x2 ∂y ∂x

Equation (3) satisfies the condition of an exact differential equation.

So equation (2) can be integrated and thus u is determined.
Consequently, f ( z )=u+ iv can also be determined.
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Examples on Conjugate/Harmonic/Analytic function6:

Example-1: Let f ( z )=u ( x , y )+iv ( x , y )be an analytic function. If
u=3 x −2 xy then find vand express f ( z ) in terms of z .

Solution: Here we have u=3 x −2 xy

∂u ∂u
∴ =3−2 y ∴ =−2 x
∂x ∂y

∂v ∂v
We know that, dv = ∂ x dx + ∂ y dy [ Total differential ]

−∂u ∂u
⇒ dv = dx + dy [ C−R equations ]
∂y ∂x

⇒ dv =2 x dx + ( 3−2 y ) dy

Integrating, v=∫ 2 x dx +∫ ( 3−2 y ) dy

⇒ v=x 2+ 3 y− y 2 +c Ans .

Now, f ( z )=u ( x , y )+iv ( x , y )

¿ ( 3 x−2 xy )+i ( x 2+ 3 y − y 2+ c )

¿ ( i x 2−i y 2−2 xy ) + ( 3 x+3 yi ) +ic

¿ i ( x 2− y 2+2 ixy ) +3 ( x +iy ) +ic

2 2
¿ i ( x +iy ) +3 ( x+ iy ) +ic=i z +3 z +ic

Which is the required expression of f ( z )in terms of z .(Ans)

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Example-2:Prove that u=x2 − y 2−2 xy −2 x+3 y is harmonic. Find a function v such

that f ( z )=u ( x , y )+iv ( x , y ) is analytic. Also express f ( z ) in terms of z .

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Example-3:Prove that u=x 4−6 x 2 y 2 + y 4is harmonic. Also find the analytic
function f ( z )=u ( x , y )+iv ( x , y ).

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Example-4: Find the imaginary part v of the analytic function whose real part is
x 3−3 xy 2 +3 x 2−3 y 2 .

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Example-5: If ω=φ+ iψ represents the complex potential for an electric field and
x
ψ=x 2− y 2 + . Determine the functionφ .
x + y2
2

2 2 x
Solution: Given,ω=φ+ iψ And ψ=x − y +
x + y2
2

∂ψ ( x 2+ y 2 ) .1−x .2 x y 2−x 2
∴ =2 x+ 2
=2 x+ 2
∂x ( x2+ y2) ( x2 + y2 )
∂ψ −2 xy 2 xy
∴ =−2 y + 2 2 2 =−2 y− 2 2 2
∂y (x + y ) (x + y )
∂φ ∂φ
We know that, dφ= ∂ x dx + ∂ y dy [ Total differential ]

∂ψ ∂ψ
⇒ dφ= dx− dy [ C−R equations ]
∂y ∂x

2 xy y 2 −x2
(
⇒ dφ= −2 y− 2
( x2 + y 2 ) ) (
dx− 2 x+
( x 2+ y 2 )
2
) dy

2 xy
Integrating,φ=∫ −2 y − ( ( x2 + y2 )
2
) dx +c [ Integrate thoseterms which do not contain x ]

y
This is an exact differential equation,∴ φ=−2 xy + +c
x + y2
2

which is the required function. (Ans.)

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Example-6: An electrostatic field in the xy−¿ plane is given by the

potential functionφ=3 x 2 y− y 3 , find the stream function.
Solution: Let ψ ( x , y ) be a stream function.
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∂ψ ∂ψ
We know that, dψ =
∂x
dx+
∂y
dy [ Total differential ]

⇒ dψ = ( −∂∂ yφ ) dx− ∂∂ φx dy [ C−R equations ]

⇒ dψ ={−( 3 x 2−3 y 2 ) } dx +6 xy dy

Integrating,ψ=∫ {−( 3 x 2−3 y 2 ) } dx+ c [ Integrate thoseterms which do not contain x ]

∴ ψ=−x 3+ 3 x y 2 +c (Ans.)

ψ is the required stream function.

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Milne – Thomson Method (To construct an analytic function):

By this method f ( z )is directly constructed without finding v and the method is given
below:
z+ ź z−ź
Since z=x +iy and ź=x−iy ∴ x= 2 and y= 2 i
f ( z )=u ( x , y )+iv ( x , y )−−−−−(1)

⇒ f ( z ) =u ( z+2 ź , z−ź
2i ) ( 2
+iv
z + ź z−ź
,
2i )

This relation can be regarded as a formal identity in two independent variables z∧ź .
Replacing ź by z , we get f ( z )=u ( z , 0 ) +iv ( z , 0 )

Which can be obtained by replacing x by z and y by 0.

Case-1: If uis given

' ∂u ∂ v ' ∂u ∂u
We have f ( z )=u+ iv ∴ f ( z )= ∂ x +i ∂ x ⇒ f ( z )= ∂ x −i ∂ y [ C−R equations ]
∂u ∂u
If we write ∂ x =φ1 ( x , y ) , ∂ y =φ2 ( x , y )
∴ f ' ( z ) =φ1 ( x , y )−i φ2 ( x , y )∨, f ' ( z )=φ1 ( z , 0 )−iφ 2 ( z ,0 )
On integrating, f ( z )=∫ φ1 ( z , 0 ) dz−i ∫ φ2 ( z , 0 ) dz+ c
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Case-2: If vis given

' ∂u ∂ v ' ∂v ∂ v
We have f ( z )=u+ iv ∴ f ( z )= ∂ x +i ∂ x ⇒ f ( z )= ∂ y +i ∂ x [ C−R equations ]
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∂v ∂v
If we write ∂ y =ψ1 ( x , y ) , ∂ x =ψ 2 ( x , y )

∴ f ' ( z ) =ψ 1 ( x , y ) +iψ 2 ( x , y )∨, f ' ( z )=ψ 1 ( z , 0 ) +i ψ 2 ( z ,0 )

On integrating, f ( z )=∫ ψ 1 ( z , 0 ) dz +i∫ ψ 2 ( z , 0 ) dz +c

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Case-3: Whenu−v is given

We have f ( z )=u+ iv … … …(1)

∴ if ( z )=iu−v … … … ( 2 ) [multiplying by i]

Adding (1), (2) we get,

( 1+i ) f ( z ) =( u−v )+ i(u +v )

⟹ F ( z )=U +iV

Where, F ( z )=( 1+i ) f ( z ) … … … (3)

Here U =u−v is given

Find out F ( z ) by the method described in case 1, then substitute the value of F ( z ) in
F(z)
(3), we get f ( z )=
1+i

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Case-4: Whenu+ v is given

We have f ( z )=u+ iv … … …(1)

∴ if ( z )=iu−v … … … ( 2 ) [multiplying by i]

Adding (1), (2) we get,

( 1+i ) f ( z ) =( u−v )+ i(u +v )

⟹ F ( z )=U +iV [U =u−v , V =u+ v ]

Where, F ( z )=( 1+i ) f ( z ) … … … (3)

Here V =u +v is given

Find out F ( z ) by the method described in case 2, then substitute the value of F ( z ) in
F(z)
(3), we get f ( z )=
1+i
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Examples on construction of an analytic function (MILNE

THOMSON METHOD )8:
Example 1: If u=x2 − y 2, find a corresponding analytic function.
∂u ∂u
Solution: ∂ x =2 x=φ 1 ( x , y ) , ∂ y =−2 y=φ2 ( x , y )

On replacing x by zand y by0, we have φ 1 ( z ,0 )=2 z And φ 2 ( z ,0 )=0

∴ f ( z )=∫ φ1 ( z , 0 ) dz−i ∫ φ2 ( z , 0 ) dz +c

¿ ∫ 2 z dz−i ∫ 0 dz +c

¿ ∫ 2 z dz +c

⇒ f ( z ) =z2 +c

This is the required analytic function. ( Ans.)

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***Ex-2: Show that the function u=e−2 xy sin ( x 2− y 2 )is harmonic. Find the conjugate
function vand express u+iv as an analytic function of f ( z ) .

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Example-3: Find the analytic function f ( z )=u+ iv given that

v=e x (x siny+ y cosy )

Solution: Given, v=e x ( x siny+ y cosy )

∂v
∴ =e x ( x siny + y cosy ) +e x siny=ψ 2 ( x , y )
∂x

∂v
∴ =e x ( x cosy+ cosy− y siny )=ψ1 ( x , y )
∂y

On replacing x by z and y by 0, we have ψ 1 ( z , 0 )=z e z +e z And ψ 2 ( z , 0 )=0

∴ f ( z )=∫ ψ 1 ( z , 0 ) dz+i ∫ ψ 2 ( z , 0 ) dz+ c

¿ ∫ ( z e z +e z ) dz +i ∫ 0 dz+ c

¿ ∫ e z ( z +1 ) dz+ c
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¿ ( z+ 1 ) e z−e z + c

¿ z e z +e z −e z +c

¿ ze z + c

This is the required analytic function. (Ans.)

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Example-4: Show that e x ( x cosy− y siny)is a harmonic function.Find the analytic

function for which e x ( x cosy− y siny)is an imaginary part.

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Example-5: Show that the function v ( x , y ) =e x siny is harmonic. Find its conjugate
harmonic function u ( x , y ) and the corresponding analytic function f ( z ).

Example-6:Determine the analytic function whose real part ise− x (cosy+ siny)

Example-7: Determine the analytic function whose imaginary part is

v=ln ( x 2+ y 2 )+ x−2 y .

Example-8:Show that the functionu ( x , y )=2 x (1− y ) is harmonic. Find its

conjugate harmonic function.

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