Difference between revisions of "Holomorphic function"

 
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A '''holomorphic''' function <math>f: \mathbb{C} \to \mathbb{C}</math> is a differentiable [[complex number|complex]] [[function]]. That is, just as in the [[real number|real]] case, <math>f</math> is holomorphic at <math>z</math> if <math>\lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(z+h)-f(z)}{h}</math> exists. This is a much stronger than in the real case since we must allow <math>h</math> to approach zero from any direction in the [[complex plane]].
  
A '''holomorphic''' or ''analytic'' function <math>f: \mathbb C \to C</math> is a differentiable [[complex number|complex]] [[function]].
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== Cauchy-Riemann Equations ==
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Let us break <math>f</math> into its real and imaginary components by writing <math>f(z)=u(x,y)+iv(x,y)</math>, where <math>u</math> and <math>v</math> are real functions. Then it turns out that <math>f</math> is holomorphic at <math>z</math> [[iff]] <math>u</math> and <math>v</math> have continuous partial derivatives and the following equations hold:
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* <math>\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial y}</math>
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* <math>\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}=-\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}</math>
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These equations are known as the [[Cauchy-Riemann Equations]].
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== Analytic Functions ==
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A related notion to that of homolorphicity is that of analyticity. A function <math>f:\mathbb{C}\to\mathbb{C}</math> is said to be '''analytic''' at <math>z</math> if <math>f</math> has a convergent [[power series]] expansion on some [[neighborhood]] of <math>z</math>. Amazingly, it turns out that a function is holomorphic at <math>z</math> if and only if it is analytic at <math>z</math>.

Revision as of 13:23, 12 July 2006

A holomorphic function $f: \mathbb{C} \to \mathbb{C}$ is a differentiable complex function. That is, just as in the real case, $f$ is holomorphic at $z$ if $\lim_{h\to 0} \frac{f(z+h)-f(z)}{h}$ exists. This is a much stronger than in the real case since we must allow $h$ to approach zero from any direction in the complex plane.

Cauchy-Riemann Equations

Let us break $f$ into its real and imaginary components by writing $f(z)=u(x,y)+iv(x,y)$, where $u$ and $v$ are real functions. Then it turns out that $f$ is holomorphic at $z$ iff $u$ and $v$ have continuous partial derivatives and the following equations hold:

  • $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial y}$
  • $\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}=-\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}$

These equations are known as the Cauchy-Riemann Equations.

Analytic Functions

A related notion to that of homolorphicity is that of analyticity. A function $f:\mathbb{C}\to\mathbb{C}$ is said to be analytic at $z$ if $f$ has a convergent power series expansion on some neighborhood of $z$. Amazingly, it turns out that a function is holomorphic at $z$ if and only if it is analytic at $z$.