3.

5 CONFORMAL MAPPING
 3.5-Conformal Mapping
We say that a curve 𝐶 in the 𝑧-plane is mapped into the corresponding
curve 𝐶 ′ in the 𝑤-plane by the function 𝑤 = 𝑓(𝑧).

The function 𝑤 = 𝑓(𝑧) may be termed as transformation or mapping.

Conformal Mapping:

Consider the transformation 𝑤 = 𝑓(𝑧), where 𝑓(𝑧) is a single

valued function of 𝑧. Under this transformation, a point 𝑧0 and any
two curves 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 passing through 𝑧0 in the 𝑧-plane will be
mapped onto a point 𝑤0 and two curves 𝐶′1 and 𝐶′2 in the w-plane.

If the angle between 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 at 𝑧0 is the same as the angle between

𝐶′1 and 𝐶′2 at 𝑤0 both in magnitude and sense, then the
transformation 𝑤 = 𝑓(𝑧) is said to be conformal at the point 𝑧0 .

Definition: (Conformal Mapping)

A transformation that preserves angles between every pair of curves

through a point, both in magnitude and sense, is said to be conformal
at that point.
Definition: (Isogonal Transformation)
The transformation that preserves the angle in magnitude
only but not in sense is called an isogonal transformation.
Conditions for 𝒘 = 𝒇(𝒛) to be conformal:

(i)𝑓(𝑧) is analytic.

(ii) 𝑓 ′ 𝑧 ≠ 0

Definition: (Critical point)

A point at which 𝑓 ′ 𝑧 = 0 is called a critical point of the
transformation 𝑤 = 𝑓(𝑧). [i.e., at the critical point the
transformation is not conformal.]
Some Standard Transformations:
1. Translation: 𝑤 = 𝑧 + 𝑎, where 𝑎 is a complex constant.
Put 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 , 𝑤 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 and 𝑎 = 𝑐1 + 𝑖𝑐2 , we have
𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 + 𝑐1 + 𝑖𝑐2

= 𝑥 + 𝑐1 + 𝑖(𝑦 + 𝑐2 )

∴ 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑐1 and 𝑣 = 𝑦 + 𝑐2 are the equation of transformations.

∴ The image of any point (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑧-plane is the point

(𝑢, 𝑣) where 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑐1 and 𝑣 = 𝑦 + 𝑐2 in the 𝑤-plane.
2. Magnification:

The transformation 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧 where 𝑎 is a real number.

Now, 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧 ⟹ u + iv = a(x + iy)

∴ 𝑢 = 𝑎𝑥 and 𝑣 = 𝑎𝑦 are the equations of transformation.

This transformation maps circles into circles. It is called simply as

magnification.

3. Magnification and Rotation

The transformation 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧 where 𝑎 is a complex number,

Let 𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 , 𝑎 = 𝛼𝑒 𝑖𝛽 and 𝑤 = 𝑅𝑒 𝑖𝜑
Since 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧
⟹ 𝑤 = 𝛼𝑒 𝑖𝛽 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 ⟹ 𝑅𝑒 𝑖𝜑 = 𝛼𝑟𝑒 𝑖(𝛽+𝜃)
∴ 𝑅 = 𝛼𝑟 and 𝜑 = 𝛽 + 𝜃 are the equations of
transformation. Thus the point (𝑟, 𝜃) in the 𝑧-plane is mapped onto
the point (𝛼𝑟, 𝛽 + 𝜃). This means that the magnitude of the vector
representing 𝑧 is magnified by 𝛼 = 𝑎 and its direction is rotated
through angle 𝛽 = 𝑎𝑚𝑝(𝑎). Hence the transformation consists of a
magnification and a rotation.

𝛼
4. Magnification, Rotation and Translation
The transformation 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧 + 𝑏
where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are complex constants, represents magnification,
rotation and translation.

Since, 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧 + 𝑏 = 𝑤1 + 𝑏 where 𝑤1 = 𝑎𝑧 ⟹ 𝑤1 = 𝑎𝑧 represents

magnification by 𝑎 and rotation through 𝑎𝑚𝑝(𝑎)

⟹ 𝑤 = 𝑤1 + 𝑏 represents translation by the vector representing 𝑏.

Thus any figure in the 𝑧-plane will undergo magnification, rotation and
translation by the transformation 𝑤 = 𝑎𝑧 + 𝑏. In particular, circles will
be mapped into circles by this transformation.
5. Inversion and Reflection
1
The transformation w = , represents inversion with respect
𝑧
to the unit circle 𝑧 = 1, followed by reflection in the real axis.
[The inverse of a point 𝑃 with respect to a circle with centre 𝑂 and
radius 𝑟 is defined as the point 𝑃′ such that 𝑂𝑃 ∙ 𝑂𝑃′ = 𝑟 2 ]
Let 𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 and 𝑤 = 𝑅𝑒 𝑖𝜑 .
1 1
Since w = gives 𝑅𝑒 𝑖𝜑 = 𝑒 −𝑖𝜃 .
𝑧 𝑟
1
∴ The transformation equations are 𝑅 = and 𝜑 = −𝜃.
𝑟
1
Thus the image of the point (𝑟, 𝜃) in the 𝑧-plane is
( , −𝜃)
𝑟
under this transformation.
If we assume that the 𝑤-plane is super-imposed on the 𝑧-plane and
1 1
that 𝑃 is (𝑟, 𝜃) and 𝑃′ is ( , 𝜃) then 𝑂𝑃 = . (i.e.) 𝑂𝑃 ∙ 𝑂𝑃′ = 1
′
𝑟 𝑂𝑃
∴ 𝑃′ is the inverse of 𝑃 with respect to the unit circle 𝑧 = 1, as
shown in Figure,

1
If we consider the point 𝑃′′( , −𝜃), it is the reflection of the point
𝑟
′ 1 1
𝑃 ( , 𝜃) in the real axis. Thus the transformation 𝑤 = consists of
𝑟 𝑧
an inversion of 𝑧 with respect to the unit circle 𝑧 = 1, followed by
reflection in the real axis. Also it is observed that the interior
(exterior) of the unit circle 𝑧 = 1 is mapped onto the exterior
(interior) of the unit circle 𝑤 = 1.
 6. The Transformation 𝑤 = 𝑧 2
Consider the transformation 𝑤 = 𝑧 2
∴ 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 2 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑖𝑥𝑦

Hence the transformation equations are

𝑢 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ⟶ (1)
and 𝑣 = 2𝑥𝑦 ⟶ (2)
Consider a line parallel to the 𝑥-axis, given by the equation
𝑦 = 𝑏 ⟶ (3)
The equation of the image of (3), which will be an equation in 𝑢 and
𝑣 is obtained by eliminating 𝑥 and 𝑦 from 1 , (2) and (3),
𝑢 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑏 2 ⟶ (4)
and 𝑣 = 2𝑥𝑏 ⟶ (5)
Eliminating 𝑥 from (4) and (5), we have

𝑣 2 𝑣2
𝑢= − 𝑏2 ⟹𝑢+ 𝑏2 =
2𝑏 4𝑏2

∴ 𝑣 2 = 4𝑏2 𝑢 + 𝑏2 ⟶ (6)

𝑉 2 = 4𝑏 2 𝑈 where 𝑈 = 𝑢 + 𝑏 2 , 𝑉 = 𝑣
(𝑈, 𝑉) 𝑢, 𝑣 = (𝑈 − 𝑏 2 , 𝑉)
Vertex: 0,0 (−𝑏2 , 0)
Focus: (𝑏 2 , 0) (0, 0)
Equation (6) represents a parabola whose vertex is (−𝑏 2 , 0), focus is (0,0) and
which is open rightwards in the 𝑤-plane.
If 𝑏 is regarded as an arbitrary constant or parameter,
(3) represents a family of lines parallel to the 𝑥-axis.
In this case, (6) represents a system of parabolas, all having the origin as the
common focus, (i.e.) equation (6) represents a family of confocal parabolas.
 Consider the equation 𝑥 = 𝑎 ⟶ (7)
This represents a line parallel to the 𝑦-axis. The image of (7) is obtained by
eliminating 𝑥 and 𝑦 from (1), (2) and (7).
Thus the image of (7) is given by the following equations
𝑣
𝑢 = 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 and 𝑣 = 2𝑎𝑦 ⟹ 𝑦 = .
2𝑎

2 𝑣 2 2 𝑣2
∴𝑢=𝑎 − 2𝑎
⟹ 𝑢−𝑎 = − 4𝑎2 ∴ 𝑣 2 = −4𝑎2 𝑢 − 𝑎2 ⟶ 8

𝑉 2 = −4𝑎2 𝑈 where 𝑈 = 𝑢 − 𝑎2 , 𝑉 = 𝑣
(𝑈, 𝑉) 𝑢, 𝑣 = (𝑈 + 𝑎2 , 𝑉)
Vertex: 0,0 (𝑎2 , 0)
Focus: (−𝑎2 , 0) (0, 0)
Equation (8) represents a parabola, whose vertex is (𝑎2 , 0), focus is (0,0) and which is
open leftwards in the 𝑤-plane.
If 𝑎 is regarded as an arbitrary constant or parameter, (7) represents a family of lines
parallel to the y-axis.
and equation (6) represents a family of confocal parabolas with the
common focus at the origin.

Thus a system of lines parallel to either coordinate axis is mapped

onto a system of confocal parabolas under the transformation

𝑤 = 𝑧 2 , with the exceptions 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑦 = 0.

 The map of 𝑦 = 0 is given by 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 and 𝑣 = 0, (i.e. 𝑣 = 0
and 𝑢 > 0). (i.e.) the map of the entire 𝑥-axis is the positive part or
the right half of the 𝑢-axis.

The map 𝑥 = 0 is given by 𝑢 = −𝑦 2 and 𝑣 = 0, (i.e. 𝑣 = 0 and

𝑢 < 0). (i.e.) the map of the entire y-axis is the negative part or the
left half of the 𝑢-axis.
Problems:

1) Find the image of the circle 𝑧 = 2 by the transformation

𝑤 = 𝑧 + 3 + 2𝑖.

Solution: Given 𝑤 = 𝑧 + 3 + 2𝑖
∴ 𝑤 − 3 − 2𝑖 = 𝑧
⇒ 𝑤 − 3 − 2𝑖 = 𝑧
𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 − 3 − 2𝑖 = 𝑧
The image of the circle 𝑧 = 2 by the transformation 𝑤 = 𝑧 + 3 + 2𝑖
is (𝑢 − 3) + 𝑖(𝑣 − 2) = 2
∴ 𝑢 − 3 2 + (𝑣 − 2)2 = 4
Which is also a circle with centre (3,2) and radius 2 in the w-plane as
shown in the following figure.
w=z+3+2i
2) Find the map of the region 𝑦 > 1 under the transformation
𝑤 = 1 − 𝑖 𝑧.
Solution:
Let 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 and 𝑤 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣.
Given the transformation, 𝑤 = 1 − 𝑖 𝑧.
⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = (1 − 𝑖)(𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)
⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 − 𝑖𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑖(𝑦 − 𝑥)
Equating the real part and imaginary part on both sides,
𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 and 𝑣 = 𝑦 − 𝑥
𝑢−𝑣
Solving, we get 𝑢 − 𝑣 = 2𝑥 ⟹ 𝑥 =
2
𝑢+𝑣
and 𝑢 + 𝑣 = 2𝑦 ⟹ y =
2
𝑢+𝑣
Then the image of the region 𝑦 > 1 𝑖𝑠 >1 ⟹𝑢+𝑣 >2
2
∴ The region 𝑦 > 1 is mapped onto 𝑢 + 𝑣 > 2.
 v
y w=(1 – I )z
u+v>2
y>1

y =1 u
x O
O
3) Find the map of the circle 𝑧 = 3 under the
transformation w = 2𝑧.
Solution:
Given transformation is 𝑤 = 2𝑧
∴ 𝑤 =2𝑧
Then the image of the circle 𝑧 =3 is
𝑤 =2×3=6
𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 6
∴ 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 = 36
Which is a circle in 𝑤-plane whose centre is (0,0) and
radius is 6.
 v

𝑤 =6

𝑧 =3
w = 2z
O u
x
O
4) Find the critical point of the transformation
𝑤 = 𝑧−𝛼 𝑧−𝛽 .
Solution:
Given 𝑤 = 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑧 − 𝛼 𝑧 − 𝛽
At the critical point, 𝑓 ′ 𝑧 = 0
⇒ 𝑧−𝛼 + 𝑧−𝛽 =0
∴ 2𝑧 − 𝛼 + 𝛽 = 0
𝛼+𝛽
⇒𝑧=
2
𝛼+𝛽
Thus the critical point is 𝑧 = .
2
 𝑧
5) Prove that the transformation 𝑤 = maps the upper half of
1−𝑧
𝑧-plane onto the upper half of 𝑤-plane. What is the image of
𝑧 = 1 under this transformation?
Solution:
𝑧
Given the transformation, 𝑤 = ⟹ 1−𝑧 𝑤 =𝑧
1−𝑧
𝑤 − 𝑧𝑤 = 𝑧 ⟹ 𝑤 = 𝑧 + 𝑤𝑧

⟹𝑤 =𝑧 1+𝑤
𝑤
𝑧=
𝑤+1

Put, 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 and 𝑤 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣. Then

 𝑤 𝑤
Since 𝑧 = , we have 𝑧 =
𝑤+1 𝑤+1
𝑤
The image of the region 𝑧 = 1 𝑖𝑠 =1
𝑤+1
𝑢+𝑖𝑣 𝑢+𝑖𝑣
⟹ = 1 𝑖. 𝑒 =1
𝑢+𝑖𝑣+1 𝑢+1+𝑖𝑣
⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 𝑢 + 1 + 𝑖𝑣
⟹ 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 = (𝑢 + 1)2 +𝑣 2
⟹ 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑢 + 1 + 𝑣 2
⟹ 2𝑢 + 1 = 0 ⟹ 2𝑢 = −1
−1
𝑢=
2
which is a straight line parallel to 𝑣-axis.
 1 1
6) Find the image of the infinite strips < 𝑦 < under the
4 2
1
transformation 𝑤 = .
𝑧
Solution:
1 1
Given the transformation, 𝑤 = ⟹𝑧=
𝑧 𝑤

1 𝑢−𝑖𝑣
⟹ ⟹𝑧 = ×
𝑢+𝑖𝑣 𝑢−𝑖𝑣

𝑢−𝑖𝑣
𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 =
𝑢2 +𝑣 2

Equating the real part and imaginary part on both sides,

 1 −𝑣 1
When 𝑦 = , we have =
4 𝑢2 +𝑣 2 4
𝑖. 𝑒 − 4𝑣 = 𝑢2 + 𝑣2
𝑜𝑟 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 = −4𝑣
(i.e) 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 + 4𝑣 = 0
(i.e) 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 + 4𝑣 + 4 = 4
(i.e) 𝑢2 + (𝑣 + 2)2 = 4
as shown in the following figure.
 1
7) Find the image of 𝑧 − 2𝑖 = 2 under the transformation 𝑤 = .
𝑧
1 1
Solution: Given the transformation, 𝑤 = ⟹𝑧=
𝑧 𝑤
1 𝑢−𝑖𝑣
⟹ 𝑧= ×
𝑢+𝑖𝑣 𝑢−𝑖𝑣
𝑢−𝑖𝑣
𝑥+ 𝑖𝑦 = 2 2
𝑢 +𝑣
Equating the real part and imaginary part on both sides,
Using (1) and (2) in (3), we get
𝑢 2 −𝑣 2 𝑣
2 2
+ 2 2
+4 2 2
=0
𝑢 +𝑣 𝑢 +𝑣 𝑢 +𝑣
𝑢2 𝑣2 4𝑣
(i.e) 2 2 2 + 2 2 2 + 2 2 = 0
(𝑢 +𝑣 ) (𝑢 +𝑣 ) 𝑢 +𝑣
𝑢2 +𝑣 2 4𝑣
(i.e) 2 2 2 + 2 2 = 0
(𝑢 +𝑣 ) 𝑢 +𝑣
1 4𝑣
(i.e) 2 2 + 2 2 = 0
𝑢 +𝑣 𝑢 +𝑣
1+4𝑣
(i.e) 2 2 = 0
𝑢 +𝑣
⇒ 1 + 4𝑣 = 0
−1
∴𝑣=
4
Which is a straight line parallel to the u-axis in the w-plane
as shown in the following figure.
 1
8) Find the image of the half plane 𝑥 > 𝑐, 𝑐 > 0 under 𝑤 = 𝑧 . Sketch graphically.
Solution:
1 1
Given the transformation, 𝑤 = ⟹𝑧=
𝑧 𝑤

1 𝑢−𝑖𝑣
⟹ 𝑧= ×
𝑢+𝑖𝑣 𝑢−𝑖𝑣
𝑢−𝑖𝑣
𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = 𝑢2 +𝑣 2
Equating the real part and imaginary part on both sides,

Given the region, 𝑥 > 𝑐, 𝑐 > 0

𝑢
1 ⟹ 𝑐 < 𝑢2 +𝑣 2
⟹ 𝑐 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 < 𝑢
2 2
1
⟹𝑢 +𝑣 < 𝑢
𝑐
1
(i.e) 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 − 𝑐 𝑢 < 0
1 1 1
(i.e) 𝑢2 − 𝑐 𝑢 + 4𝑐 2 − 4𝑐 2 + 𝑣 2 < 0
 2 1
𝑢−1 2𝑐 + 𝑣2 − <0
4𝑐 2
2 1
𝑢−1 2𝑐 + 𝑣2 < 2
4𝑐

2 2 1 2
𝑢−1 2𝑐 + 𝑣 <
2𝑐
1 1
which is the interior of the circle whose centre is ,0 and radius is .
2𝑐 2𝑐
Thus the half plane 𝑥 > 𝑐, 𝑐 > 0 in the 𝑧-plane is transformed into
2 1 2
the interior of the circle 𝑢 − 1
2𝑐 + 𝑣2 = in the 𝑤-plane as
2𝑐
shown in the following figure.
9) Find the image of 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1 under the transformation 𝑤 = 𝑧 2 .
Solution:
Given 𝑤 = 𝑧 2 ⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 2

⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑥𝑦𝑖

Equating the real part and imaginary part on both sides,

𝑢 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ⟶ (1) and

𝑣 = 2𝑥𝑦 ⟶ (2)

Given the region 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1 ⟹ 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥

Put 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 in (1) we get, 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 − 1 − 𝑥 2 = 𝑥 2 − 1 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2

𝑢+1
⟹ 𝑢 = 2𝑥 − 1 ⟹ 𝑥 =
2
Put 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 in (2) we get, 𝑣 = 2𝑥(1 − 𝑥)
𝑢+1 𝑢+1 2−𝑢−1
𝑣=2 1− = 𝑢+1
2 2 2
1−𝑢 1−𝑢2
𝑣 = 𝑢+1 =
2 2
2𝑣 = 1 − 𝑢2
𝑢2 = 1 − 2𝑣
1
= −2(𝑣 − )
2

1
which is a parabola with vertex (0, ) and focus (0, 0) and is
2
open downwards.
∴ The straight line x + y = 1 is mapped onto parabola 𝑢2 = 1 − 2𝑣
Exercises:

1. Find the image of the circle 𝑧 = 1 by the transformation

𝑤 = 𝑧 + 2 + 4𝑖.

1
2. Find the image of the line 𝑥 = 𝑘 under the transformation 𝑤 = .
𝑧

1
3. Find the image of the infinite strips 0 < 𝑦 < under the
2
1
transformation 𝑤 = .
𝑧

1
4. Find the image of 𝑧 − 3𝑖 =3 under the transformation 𝑤 = .
𝑧

5. Find the image of 𝑧 = 9 under the transformation 𝑤 = 5𝑧.