MAT334

2014

Page 1

MAT334 Complex Variables, Midterm 1 (Review set)

There are five questions in the exam; Answer as many as you can
Name:

Section:

Question 1.
The number w is given by
1+i
w=
2
1. Find all complex solutions z for the equation z 5 = w.
2. Find all integers k which satisfy Im wk = 0.
Solution. For (1), in polar form w = ei/4 . If z = ei then
z 5 = w 5 = /4
So the 5 solutions are given by =

20

2k
5

mod 2

where k = 0, . . . , 4.

For (2), we look for those integers k such that e

ik
4

is a real number, i.e. such that

This is equivalent to the condition k = 0, 4 mod 8.

ik
4

= 0, mod 2.

MAT334

2014

Page 2

Question 2.
The number w is given by

1i
w=
5

1. Find all complex solutions z for the equation (z + 1)7 = w.

2. Find all integers k which satisfy Re wk = Im wk .
Solution. For (1), in polar form w =

2 i/4
.
5e

If z + 1 = rei then
r

(z + 1) = w 7 = /4

mod 2

and r =

2
5

So the 7 solutions are given by z = rei 1 where r = (2/5)1/14 and = 28

+ 2k
7 where k = 0, . . . , 6.

For (2), we look for those integers k such that wk has argument

k
5
= ,
4
4 4

or

5
4 ,

i.e. such that

mod 2

This is equivalent to the condition k = 1, 5 mod 8, i.e. k = 7, 3 mod 8.

MAT334

2014

Page 3

Question 3.
The number w is given by
w=

i1
2

Find all complex solutions z for the equation z 3 = w.

Solution. For (1), in polar coordinates w = 21/2 e3i/4 . If z = rei the equation becomes
r3 = 21/2
3 = 3/4

mod 2

so the 3 solutions are obtained with

r = 21/6
=

2k
+
4
3

k = 0, 1, 2

MAT334

Page 4

2014

Question 4.
Let be a complex number with || < 1. For each of the following three equations, find the set of
solutions z:
|z | < |1
z|

(1)

|z | = |1
z|

(2)

|z | > |1
z|

(3)

Solution. Squaring both side and writing |w|2 = ww,

(1) is equivalent to
(z )(
z
) < (1
z)(1
z)
and after some simplification,
|z|2 + ||2 < 1 + |z|2 |z|2 (1 ||2 ) < 1 ||2 |z| < 1
where in the final step we used the fact that 1 ||2 is positive. The other two equations are solved
in the same way to give |z| = 1 and |z| > 1 respectively.

MAT334

Page 5

2014

Question 5.
Prove that | cos z| e| Im z| and | sin z| e| Im z| for every z C.
Solution. Compute:
 iz

 e + eiz  1 iz

 (|e | + |eiz |) max(ey , ey ) = e|y|
| cos z| = 
 2
2
The computation for sin z is analogous.

(4)

MAT334

Page 6

2014

Question 6.
2

The function f : C C is given by w = f (z) = ez .

1. Show that f maps the lines {x + iy : x = y} and {x + iy : x = y} to the circle |w| = 1.
2. Show further that f maps each of the two pieces of the set {x2 > y 2 } to the set {w : |w| > 1}
and each of the two pieces of the set {x2 < y 2 } to the set {w : |w| < 1}.
In both parts above, you do not need to show that the map is onto.
2

Solution. First note that |f (z)| = eRe z = ex

2 y 2

where z = x + iy.

Now for (1), along both indicated lines we have x2 y 2 = 0 and thus |f (z)| = e0 = 1 as calimed.
For (2), for z in the region x2 > y 2 we have x2 y 2 > 0 and hence |f (z)| > e0 = 1 and similarly for
the region x2 < y 2 we get |f (z)| < 1.

MAT334

2014

Page 7

Question 7.
2

The function f : C C is given by f (z) = ez .

1. Write equations and draw a sketch for the three sets
A = {z : |f (z)| < 2014}

B = {z : |f (z)| = 2014}

C = {z : |f (z)| > 2014}

2. For each of these sets, state whether or not it is a domain and why (a formal proof is not
required).
Solution. We have
2

2 y 2

|f (z)| = |ez | = eRe z = ex

where z = x + iy

Therefore
A = {z : x2 y 2 < ln 2014}

B = {z : x2 y 2 = ln 2014}

C = {z : x2 y 2 > ln 2014}

We see that B is a hyperbola, A corresponds to the region between the two branches of the hyperbola,
and C corresponds to the two regions on the left and the right of the hyperbola. Thus A is open and
connected, hence a domain; B is not open, hence not a domain; and C is not connected, hence not a
domain.

MAT334

2014

Page 8

Question 8.
Recall that Arg z is defined to be the unique argument of z satisfying < Arg z . Answer the
following questions, and give a short explanation for your answers (a formal proof is not required).
1. At which points is Arg z continuous?
2. At which points is z Arg z continuous?
3. At which points is

Arg z
z

continuous?

Solution. For (1), Arg z is continuous at every point except the negative real line R0 . Indeed, the
principal branch of the argument has a branch cut on this line, meaning that the limit of Arg z from
above on this line is while the limit from below is .
For (2), z Arg z is continuous at every point except the negative real line as before, but also at 0 since
it has the limit zero at this point (since Arg z is bounded at z has limit zero). The answer that the
function is not continuous at z = 0 because Arg z is not defined there would also be accepted.
For (3), the answer is again the negative real line: indeed, the functions

Arg z
z

is obtained from Arg z

by dividing by the continuous function z, and therefore it is continuous wherever Arg z is continuous
with the possible exception of z = 0. Similarly, Arg z is obtained from
hence it is continuous whever
at z = 0.

Arg z
z

Arg z
z

by multiplying by z, and

is continuous. Finally it is easy to check that neither is continuous

MAT334

Page 9

2014

Question 9.
Recall that Log z is defined to be the unique logarithm of z satisfying < Im(Log z) . Answer
the following questions, and give a short explanation for your answers (a formal proof is not required).
1. At which points is Log z continuous?
2. At which points is Re(Log z) continuous?
3. At which points is Im(Log z) continuous?
4. At which points is (Im Log z)2 continuous?
Solution. For (3) see the answer for (1) in the previous questions.
For (2), the function is given by ln |z| and is continuous except at z = 0 (as a composition of continuous
functions) and not continuous at z = 0 (as it has limit ).
For (1), a function is cotinuous if and only if its real and imaginary parts are continuous, so it follows
from the previous two answers that Log z is continuous outside the negative real line R0 .
Finally for (4), this function is Arg2 z. Along the branch cut the function Arg z has two different
limits, and , but the square Arg2 z has the same limit when approaching from above and below.
Thus the function is continuous along the branch cut. The only point of discontinuity is z = 0, where
approach along a line of angle throug 0 gives limit 2 , and in particular different lines give different
limits.

MAT334

2014

Page 10

Question 10.
Let the function f : C C be defined by:

1 + z + + z 5
f (z) :=
z 6 z 7

when |z| 1
when |z| > 1

For which z is f continuous?

Solution. For |z| < 1 and |z| > 1 the function is given by a polynomial, so it is certainly continuous.
For |z| = 1, f is continuous if and only if the value of 1 + + z 5 and z 6 z 7 agree. In other
words, only if P (z) = 0 where P (z) := 1 + + z 7 = 0. Using the formula for the sum of a geometric
progression
(1 z)P (z) = 1 z 8
Thus the roots of P (z) are the solutions of z 8 = 1, except perhaps 1. And indeed clearly P (1) 6= 0.
Since all these roots have modulus 1, we see finally that on |z| = 1 there are exactly 7 points of

continuity, at the roots z = 8 1 except z = 1.

MAT334

Page 11

Question 11.
Find all complex solutions z for the equation
sin(z) + 3 cos(z) = 1
Your answer may involve roots and complex logarithms.
Solution. Set w = eiz . Then in w the equation becomes
w2 1
w2 + 1
+3
= 1 3w2 + 3 iw2 + i = 2w (3 i)w2 2w + (3 + i) = 0
2wi
2w
thus
w=
Solving for z we obtain

p
4 4(3 i)(3 + i)
1 3i
=
2(3 i)
3i

1 3i
1 3i
= w = eiz z = i log(
)
3i
3i

2014

MAT334

2014

Page 12

Question 12.
Let log z denote the branch of the logarithm satisfying 0 Im log z 2. Define the function
f : C \ R0 C ,

f (z) = z 1.5

using this branch.

1. Show that for every w C there is z C \ R0 satisfying f (z) = w.
2. Determine for which w there is more than one solution z for the equation above.
Solution. For (1), let w C and write w = rei with 0 < 2. Suppose first that > 0. Set
z = r2/3 ei2/3 . Then by the choice of the branch, log z = 2/3 ln r + 2i/3 (since 0 < 2/3 < 2).
Therefore
z 3/2 = e3/2 log z = eln r+i = rei = w
Now suppose that = 0. In this case take z = r2/3 e4i/3 . Computing in the same way we get
z 3/2 = eln r+2i = r = w.
For (2), let us look for a general solution z in polar coordinates z = sei where 0 < < 2. Then
w = z 3/2 = e3/2 log z = e3/2(ln s+i) = s3/2 e1.5i
We see that s = r2/3 . As for , we have e1.5i = ei and so
1.5 =

mod 2

For 0 < < we get two solutions, namely /1.5 and ( + 2)/1.5. For = 0 or we get only
one solution.

MAT334

2014

Page 13

Question 13.
1. Determine for which z the following sum converges,
S1 (z) =

zn

n=0

2. Determine for which z the following sum converges,

S2 (z) =

(1 + iz i)n

n=0

3. Show that there are numbers z where both sums converge, and for those numbers S1 (z) = iS2 (z).
Solution. For (1), it is known that S1 converges for |z| < 1, that is for the domain D1 (0). In this
domain
S1 (z) =

1
.
1z

For (2), set w = 1 + iz i. Then similarly, S2 converges for |w| < 1. Solving for z we have
|w| < 1 |1 + iz i| < 1 |z (1 + i)| < 1 z D1 (1 + i)
In this domain,
S2 (z) =

1
1
1
=
=
.
1w
1 (1 + iz i)
i iz

For (3), the domains D1 (0) and D1 (1+i) intersect, for instance at z = (1+i)/2, and by the expressions
for S1 (z), S2 (z) it is clear that in this intersection S1 (z) = iS2 (z).

MAT334

2014

Page 14

Question 14.
Determine for which z the following sum converges,
S=

ene

n=0

and compute its sum when it does.

z

Solution. Setting w = ee we have

S=

wn

n=0

and thus S converges if an only if |w| < 1 and its limit is given by
1
1
=
.
1w
1 eez
To find the radius of convergence in terms of z, we have
z

|w| < 1 |ee | < 1 Re ez < 0

3
< Im z <
2
2

mod 2

MAT334

2014

Page 15

Question 15.
Let be the curve given by a half-circle from 1 to 1 (positively oriented) followed by a straight line
from 1 to 1. Compute the integral
Z
(z + 1 + z) dz

1. By direct parametrization.
2. Using Greens Theorem.
Solution. For (1), we use the parametrization
1 (t) = eit

0t

2 (t) = 1 + t

0 t 2.

The integral can then be computed as

Z
Z


z + 1 + z dz =
(eit + 1 + eit )ieit dt = i e2it /2i + eit /i + t 0 = 2 + i
1

Z
z + 1 + z dz =

2

1 + 2t dt = t + t2 0 = 2

and thus
Z
z + 1 + z dz = i.

For (2) denote by D the upper half of the unit disc. Then
Z
ZZ
Z
z + 1 + z dz = 1 + 2x dz = i
2 dx dy = 2i Area(D) = i

(5)

MAT334

2014

Page 16

Question 16.
Let be the circle of radius 2 around z = 0 (with positive orientation).
1. Compute the integral
Z

1
(z 2 + 1 + ) dz
z

(6)

by direct parametrization.
2. Use Greens Theorem to compute the same integral.
Solution. For (1), we use the parametrization
(t) = 2eit

0 t 2.

The integral can then be computed as

Z
Z 2
2
 8e3it
eit
+ 2 + t 0 = 2i
z 2 + 1 + z 1 dz =
(4e2it + 1 + 0.5eit )2ieit dt = i
3i
i

0
For (2), we note the hint to conclude that for z we have 1/z = z/4. Thus if D denotes the disc of
radius 2 around z = 0,
x iy
z + 1 + z dz = z + 1 + z/4 dz = (x2 y 2 ) + 2ixy + 1 +
dz
4

ZZ
ZZ
=i
(2x + 2iy + 0.25) + i(2y + 2ix 0.25i) dx dy = i
0.5 dx dy = 0.5i Area(D) = 2i