Questions tagged [complex-analysis]

For questions mainly about theory of complex analytic/holomorphic functions of one complex variable. Use [tag:complex-numbers] instead for questions about complex numbers. Use [tag:several-complex-variables] instead for questions about holomorphic functions of more than one complex variables.

Complex analysis is a branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of one or several complex variables. Typical topics include Cauchy's integral formula, singularities, poles, holomorphic and meromorphic functions, Laurent and Taylor series, maximum modulus principle, isolated zeros principle, etc.

Independent variable and dependent variable of complex functions are both complex numbers, and may be separated into real (denoted by $\Re$) and imaginary parts (denoted by $\Im$) : $z = x +iy$ and $w = f(z) =u(x,y)+iv(x,y)$ where $x, y \in \mathbb{R}$, $u(x,y)$ and $v(x,y)$ being real-valued functions.

A fundamental result of complex analysis is the Cauchy-Riemann equations, which give the conditions for a function to have a complex derivative, which is a complex generalization of the (real) derivative. If the complex derivative is defined at each point in an open connected subset of $\mathbb C$, the function is called analytic, or holomorphic. If the complex derivative is defined at each point in $\mathbb C$, the function is called entire.

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Why: A holomorphic function with constant magnitude must be constant.

How can I prove the following assertion? Let $f$ be a holomorphic function such that $|f|$ is a constant. Then $f$ is constant. Edit: The more elementary the proof, the better. I'm working my way through a complex analysis workbook, and by this…
Mark
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$f^3 + g^3=1$ for two meromorphic functions

Can you find two non-constant meromorphic functions $f,g$ such that $f^3 +g^3=1$?
Mac
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How does a branch cut define a branch?

I am studying complex analysis and I have problem understanding the concept of branch cut. The lecturer draw this as some curve that starts from a point and goes on and on in some direction (for example, something like $y=x$ for $x\geq0$ , but it…
Belgi
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on the boundary of analytic functions

Suppose I have a function $f$ that is analytic on the unit disk $D = \{ z \in \mathbb{C} : |z| < 1 \}$ that is also continuous up to $\bar{D}$. If $f$ is identically zero on some segment of of the boundary (e.g. $\{ e^{it}, 0 \leq t \leq \pi/2 \}$…
user1736
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if $f$ is entire and $|f(z)| \leq 1+|z|^{1/2}$, why must $f$ be constant?

How can we prove that if $f:\mathbb{C}\rightarrow\mathbb{C}$ is holomorphic (analytic) and $|f(z)| \leq 1+|z|^{1/2} \forall z$, then $f$ is constant? Liouville's theorem springs to mind, but I can't see how to use it since $1+|z|^{1/2}$ is not…
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Why can the complex conjugate of a variable be treated as a constant when differentiating with respect to that variable?

I'm trying to understand the derivation of Wiener deconvolution given on its Wikipedia page. In the last couple steps under the derivation section, they take the derivative with respect to $G(f)$ of an equation that has both $G(f)$ and $G^\ast(f)$…
Brandon
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Why do injective holomorphic functions have nonzero derivative

For some open sets $U$, $V$ in the complex plane, let $f:U\rightarrow V$ be an injective holomorphic function. Then $f'(z) \ne 0$ for $z \in U$. Now I don't understand the proof, but here it is from my text. My comments are in italics. Suppose…
Mark
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What is the image near the essential singularity of z sin(1/z)?

This was part of a homework problem from J.B. Conway's complex analysis text which I was assigned long ago but didn't get. A few years later I was a TA for a course where the problem was assigned. I still didn't know how to solve it, nor did any…
Jonas Meyer
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Can we characterize the Möbius transformations that maps the unit disk into itself?

The Möbius transformations are the maps of the form $$ f(z)= \frac{az+b}{cz+d}.$$ Can we characterize the Möbius transformations that map the unit disk $$\{z\in \mathbb C: |z| <1\}$$ into itself?
Daniel
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the zeros of $\sin(z)$, where $z$ is a complex number

How do I find the zeros of $\sin(z)$, where $z$ is a complex number? I know that along the real line we have zeros along $k\pi$, where $k$ is an integer. But what about the rest of the plane? The taylor series: $$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^n…
user119615
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how to show image of a non constant entire function is dense in $\mathbb{C}$?

how to show image of a non constant entire function is dense in $\mathbb{C}$? is there any smallest proof? I have seen this as a theorem in some books but I want some elementary proof.
Myshkin
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Continuity of analytic function implies convergence of power series?

Suppose that $f(z)$ is analytic in the unit disk $\Delta:\,|z|<1$. Then $f(z)$ has a Taylor series $\sum=\sum a_nz^n$ in the unit disk. One may assume that $\sum$ has $R=1$ as its radius of convergence for convenience. Question 1 (local version): …
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Find all entire $f$ such that $f(f(z))=z$.

Suppose $f:\mathbb{C}\to \mathbb{C}$ is entire. If $f(f(z))=z$, find all such $f$. Can we find $f$ such that $f(f(z))=z^2$? How about $f(f(z))=e^z$? Ideas: For #1, we can show that $f$ must be a bijection, since $f$ failing to be either…
Eric Auld
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Suppose $f$ and $g$ are entire functions, and $|f(z)| \leq |g(z)|$ for all $z \in \mathbb{C}$, Prove that $f(z)=cg(z)$.

Suppose $f$ and $g$ are entire functions, and $|f(z)| \leq |g(z)|$ for all $z \in \mathbb{C}$, Prove that $f(z)=cg(z)$. My try : I consider $h(z)=\frac{f(z)}{g(z)}$. If I prove that $h(z)$ is entire, using the fact that $|h(z)|\leq 1$, the result…
the8thone
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roots of $f(z)=z^4+8z^3+3z^2+8z+3=0$ in the right half plane

This is a question in Ahlfors in the section on the argument principle: How many roots of the equation $f(z)=z^4+8z^3+3z^2+8z+3=0$ lie in the right half plane? He gives a hint that we should "sketch the image of the imaginary axis and apply the…
user1736
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