examples of Cauchy-Riemann equations


To illustrate the Cauchy-Riemann equationsMathworldPlanetmath, we may consider a few examples. Let f be the squaring functionMathworldPlanetmath, i.e. for any complex numberMathworldPlanetmathPlanetmath z, we have f(z)=z2.

We now separate real from imaginary partsDlmfMathworldPlanetmath. Letting x and y be real variables we have

f(x+iy)=(x+iy)2=x2+2ixy-y2=(x2-y2)+i(2xy).

Defining real functions u and v by f(x+iy)=u(x,y)+iv(x,y) and taking derivatives, we have

u(x,y) =x2-y2
v(x,y) =2xy
ux =2x
uy =-2y
vx =2y
vy =2x

Since u/x=v/y and u/y=-v/x. the Cauchy-Riemann relations are seen to be satisfied.

Next, consider the complex conjugation function. In this case, x+iy¯=x-iy, so we have u(x,y)=x and v(x,y)=y. Taking derivatives,

ux =1
uy =0
vx =0
vy =-1

Because u/xv/y, the Cauchy-Riemann equations are not satisfied do the conjugation function is not holomorphic. Likewise, one can show that the functions ,,and|| which appear in complex analysis are not holomorphic.

For our next example, we try a polynomialPlanetmathPlanetmath. Let f(Z)=z3+2z+5. Writing z=x+iy and f=u+iv, we find that u(x,y)=x3-3xy2+2x+5 and v(x,y)=3x2y-y3+2y. Taking partial derivativesMathworldPlanetmath, one can confirm that the Cauchy-Riemann equations are satisfied, so we have a holomorphic function.

More generally, we can show that all complex polynomials are holomorphic. Since the Cauchy-Riemann equations are linear, it suffices to check that integer powers are holomorphic. We can do this by an induction argument. That f(z)=z satisfies the equations is trivial and we have shown that f(z)=z2 also satisfies them. Let us assume that f(z)=zn happens to satisfy the Cauchy-Riemann equations for a particular value of n and write

(x+iy)n =u(x,y)+iv(x,y)
(x+iy)n+1 =u~(x,y)+iv~(x,y)

By elementary algebra, we have

u~(x,y) =xu(x,y)-yv(x,y)
v~(x,y) =yu(x,y)+xv(x,y).

By elementary calculus, we have

u~x =u+xux-yvx
u~y =-v+xuy-yvy
v~x =v+yux+xvx
v~y =u+yuy+xvy

so

u~x-v~y =x(ux-vy)+y(uy+vx)
u~y+v~x =x(uy+vx)+y(ux-vy)

Since the terms in parentheses are zero on account of u and v satisfying the Cauchy-Riemann equations, it follows that u~ and v~ also satisfy the Cauchy-Riemann equations. By induction, f(z)=zn is holomorphic for all positive integers n.

As our next example, we consider the complex square rootMathworldPlanetmath. As shown in the entry taking square root algebraically, we have the following equality:

x+iy=x2+y2+x2+(signy)ix2+y2-x2

Differentiating and simplifying,

u(x,y) =x2+y2+x2
v(x,y) =(signy)x2+y2-x2
ux =24xx2+y2+1x2+y2+x=24x2+y2+xx2+y2
uy =(signy)24yx2+y2x2+y2+x=(signy)24yx2+y2x2+y2+x
vx =(signy)24xx2+y2-1x2+y2-x=-(signy)24x2+y2-xx2+y2
vy =24yx2+y2x2+y2-x=24yx2+y2x2+y2-x.

Pulling out a common factor and placing over a common denominator,

ux-vy =24x2+y2(x2+y2+x-yx2+y2-x)
=24x2+y2x2+y2+xx2+y2-x-yx2+y2-x
=24x2+y2(x2+y2)-y2-yx2+y2-x=0
uy+vx =(signy)24x2+y2(yx2+y2+x-x2+y2-x)
=(signy)24x2+y2y-x2+y2+xx2+y2-xx2+y2+x
=(signy)24x2+y2(x2+y2)-x2-yx2+y2+x=0,

so the Cauchy-Riemann equations are satisfied. More generally, it can be shown that all complex algebraic functionsMathworldPlanetmath and fractional powers satisfy the Cauchy-Riemann equations. However, as suggested by the above derivation, a direct verification could be tedious, so it is better to use an indirect approach.

Finally, we finish up with two examples of transcendental functions, the complex exponentialMathworldPlanetmathPlanetmath and the complex logarithm, The complex exponential is defined as exp(x+iy)=exp(x)(cosy+isiny). Hence we have

u(x,y) =exp(x)cos(y)
v(x,y) =exp(x)sin(y)
ux =exp(x)cos(y)
uy =-exp(x)sin(y)
vx =exp(x)sin(y)
vy =exp(x)cos(y)

Thus we see that the complex exponential function is holomorphic.

The complex logarithm may be defined as log(x+iy)=1/2log(x2+y2)+iarctan(y/x). Hence we have

u(x,y) =1/2log(x2+y2)
v(x,y) =arctan(y/x)
ux =xx2+y2
uy =yx2+y2
vx =-y/x21+(y/x)2=-yx2+y2
vy =1/x1+(y/x)2=xx2+y2

Hence the complex logarithm is holomorphic.

Title examples of Cauchy-Riemann equations
Canonical name ExamplesOfCauchyRiemannEquations
Date of creation 2013-03-22 17:38:05
Last modified on 2013-03-22 17:38:05
Owner rspuzio (6075)
Last modified by rspuzio (6075)
Numerical id 19
Author rspuzio (6075)
Entry type Example
Classification msc 30A99