MTH 324 (Complex Analysis)

Lecture # 3(Functions of a complex variable)

Function
A function f from a set A to a set B is a rule that assigns to each element in A one
and only one element in B.
A =Dom f and Range f is a subset of B.
Example
Find the domain and range of f : R → R defined by f ( x) = x 2 + 1 .
Solution
Since f ( x) = x 2 + 1 is defined for all x  R , so Domf = R . Also, for any
x  R, f ( x)  1 , therefore, Rangef = 0,  .
Complex valued function
A complex valued function is a function f whose domain and range are subsets of
the C of complex numbers. If w is the image of z under f then we write w = f ( z ) .
For example, f : C → C defined by f ( z ) = z 2 − iz is a complex valued function of a
complex variable z .
Example
Evaluate the given complex functions at the indicated point.
(i) f ( z ) = ( xy − x 2 ) + i (3x + y ) at z = 4 + i.
(ii) f ( z ) = r + i cos 2  at z = −2i.
Solution
(i) f (4 + i) = (4 − 42 ) + i(3 ( 4 ) + 1) = −12 + 13i .

(ii) First we find the polar form of z = −2i . For this, z = r = 2 and  = − + 2k
2
So,
  
f ( z ) = 2 + i cos 2  − + 2k 
 2 
=2
Example
Find the natural domain of
(i) f ( z ) = 2 Re z − iz 2
iz
(ii) f ( z ) =
z −1

Solution
(i) Since f ( z ) is defined for all z , so Domf = C
 (ii) Since f ( z ) is not defined if z = 1 , so Domf = C − 1 .
Real and imaginary parts of a complex function:
If f ( z ) = u( x, y) + iv( x, y) then u ( x, y) and v( x, y ) are respectively called real and
imaginary parts of f .
Example
Find real and imaginary parts of
1
f ( z) = z + .
z
Solution
Let z = x + iy and f ( z ) = u( x, y) + iv( x, y) . Then
1 1
f ( z) = z +  u + iv = x + iy +
z x + iy
1 x − iy
 u + iv = x + iy + 
x + iy x − iy
x − iy
= x + iy + 2
x + y2
x y
u = x+ 2 and v = y − 2
x +y 2
x + y2

Complex exponential function

Let z = x + iy . Then e z = e x ( cos y + i sin y ) is called complex exponential function.
Example
Find the value of f ( z ) = e z at z=3+ i .
Solution
As
e z = e x ( cos y + i sin y )
 e3+ i = e3 ( cos  + i sin  )
= −e3 .
Periodic function
A complex valued function f ( z ) is said to be periodic of period  ,   0(complex) ,
if f ( z +  ) = f ( z ) .
Example
Show that f ( z ) = e z is periodic of period 2 i .
Solution
As
 e z = e x ( cos y + i sin y )
 f ( z + 2 i ) = e x +i ( y + 2 ) = e x ( cos( y + 2 ) + i sin( y + 2 ) )
f ( z + 2 i ) = e x ( cos y + i sin y ) = f ( z )

Polar form of a complex function

f ( z ) = u (r , ) + iv(r ,  ) is called polar form of f ( z ) .
Example

Write f ( z ) = z 3 in polar form. Also find its real and imaginary parts and f (2, ).
2
Solution
Let z = r ( cos  + i sin  ) . Therefore,
f ( z ) = r 3 ( cos  + i sin  )
3

= r 3 ( cos 3 + i sin 3 )
This implies u = r 3 cos 3 and v = r 3 sin 3 . Also,
 3 3 3 
f (2, ) = ( 2 )  cos + i sin 
2  2 2 
= −8i
Real Valued functions of a complex variable
A function f : C → R is called real valued function of a complex variable.
For exammple, f ( z ) = z .
Complex Valued functions of a real variable
A function f : R → C is called complex valued function of a real variable.
For exammple, f (t ) = cos t + i sin t .