THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
MAT3253 (First term, 20132014)
Complex Variables and Applications
Notes 5 Analytic Functions

5.1

Working Principles

Last time, we have discussed complex dierentiable functions from several viewpoints. But, it
is convenient to have some simple principles for calculation.

5.1.1

Differenting Rules

Let f : C C be a complex function and z0 . By denition, we have the complex

derivative
f (z) f (z0 )
def
.
f (z0 ) :== lim
zz0
z z0
The rst task is that we need not use limit to nd it unless it is unavoidable.
Note that this denition is formally the same as the one for a function from R to R. Moreover,
in proving the dierentiation rules in that case, only properties about +, , , and limits are
used. Therefore, we can conclude that all the differentiation rules, such as product rule, quotient
rule, chain rule will still be valid for complex functions. For example,
f (z) =

5.1.2

1
,
z

z C \ {0};

then

f (z) =

1
.
z2

Using Real and Imaginary Parts

Very often, the function is given in the form f (x + iy) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y), where x, y, u, v R.
In that case, we would like to nd f (x + iy) in terms of u(x, y) and v(x, y). Note that
f (z) = f (z0 ) + f (z0 ) (z z0 ) + ,

where

0.
|z z0 |

The corresponding dierential matrix of (x, y) 7 (u, v) is given by

(
)
(
)
ux uy
Re(f (z0 )) Im(f (z0 ))
=
.
vx vy (x ,y )
Im(f (z0 )) Re(f (z0 ))
0

In other words, f (z0 ) =

(
)
)
v
u
u 
v 
=
. By averaging these two
i
+
i
x
y (x0 ,y0 )
y
x (x0 ,y0 )

terms, we have
1
f (z0 ) =
2

People also like to denote

equivalent to

i
x
y

def 1
:==
z
2

(u + iv) = 0.
z



(u + iv)

(x0 ,y0 )

===
(u + iv) .
z
z0

denote

+i
. Then the Cauchy-Riemann Equations are
x
y

For example, if f (x + iy) =

ux =
Thus, we have f (x + iy) =

5.1.3

x iy
dened on C \ {0}, then easily
x2 + y 2
y 2 x2
(x2

y 2 )2

= vy ,

y 2 x2 + 2ixy
(x2 +

y 2 )2

uy =

2xy
(x2

(x iy)2
(x2 +

y 2 )2

+ y 2 )2

= vx .

1
.
z2

Verify Analyticity

We also have stated (without proof) that a function f = u + iv is complex dierentiable on

B(z0 , ), i.e., analytic at z0 , if and only if the function (x, y) 7 (u, v) is of C1 and satises the
Cauchy-Riemann Equation on the same neighborhood. This provides us an easy way to check
the condition without doing limit.
1
x iy
For example, f (z) = = 2
. Both u and v are clearly of C1 on C \ {0}, in particular, on
z
x + y2
B(z0 , ) for any z0 = 0. We also have checked that the Cauchy-Riemann Equations are valid on
C \ {0}. Thus, we can conclude that f is analytic on C \ {0}.
We can also use this to get special results. Let f be an analytic function such that Re(f ) is a
constant. Then f (z) = c + iv. By Cauchy-Riemann Equations,
vx = uy 0,

vy = ux 0

on .

Since is an open connected set, the only result is that v is also a constant. Therefore, f is a
constant.

5.2

A Special Function

Let f (z) = ex cos y + iex sin y on = C. We will rst show that f is an entire function. First,
both u = ex cos y and v = ex sin y are of C . Second,
ux = ex cos y = vy ,

uy = ex sin y = vx ;

on the whole C.

Therefore, f is an entire function. Moreover,

f (z) = ux + ivx = ex cos y + iex sin y = f (z) .
What is the real function f that satises f (x) = f (x) for all x R? For this reason, define
def

exp(z) = ez :== ex cos y + iex sin y ,

and it is called the exponential function. Moreover, the expression can be written as
ex+iy = ex (cos y + i sin y) .
Therefore, in order to preserve the index law , ex+iy = ex eiy , we also define
eiy = cos y + i sin y

Thomas Au

for y R.

MAT3253 Notes 5: Analytic Functions 2