Differentiability of complex function

In summary, the mistake in the given question is that the concept of differenciable in complex analysis is different from the one in real analysis. In complex analysis, a function is considered differenciable if the limit (f(z)-f(p))/(z-p) exists as p approaches z, while in real analysis, a function is considered differenciable if it satisfies the CR equations or if it can be written as a linear map plus an error term that approaches 0 as x approaches 0. This means that a function can be differenciable in the real sense but not in the complex sense, as in the case of f(z)=Re(z).
  • #1
Suvadip
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I have found a question
Prove that f(z)=Re(z) is not differentiable at any point.

According to me f(z)=Re(z)=Re(x+iy)=x which is differentiable everywhere. Then where is the mistake?
 
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  • #2
You have to differentiate between complex differentiable and the usual case of differetiability in real analysis.
If complex valued function is complex differentiable then it must satisfy the CR equations.

Or using the definition

\(\displaystyle \lim_{\Delta z \to 0} \frac{f(z+\Delta z )-f(z)}{\Delta z }= \lim _{ \Delta z \to 0}\frac{x + \Delta x - x }{\Delta z }=\lim _{ (\Delta x ,\Delta y ) \to 0}\frac{\Delta x }{\Delta x +i \Delta y }\)

Where the last limit doesn't exist .
 
  • #3
suvadip said:
I have found a question
Prove that f(z)=Re(z) is not differentiable at any point.

According to me f(z)=Re(z)=Re(x+iy)=x which is differentiable everywhere. Then where is the mistake?

The mistake is that you are confusing differenciable as used in real analysis and differenciable as used in complex analysis. It is the same word but it means different things!

Definition: A function $f:\mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^m$ is called differenciable iff for any point $p\in \mathbb{R}^n$ there exists a linear map $L:\mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^m$ such that $f(p+x) = f(p) + pL(x) + \varepsilon(x)$ where $\varepsilon(x)/|x| \to 0$ as $x\to 0$. This linear map $L$ is what we call the derivative of $f$ at $p$ and denote it by $Df(p)$.

In the special case when $n=m=1$, the definition of differenciable as a limit quotient coincides with this more general definition. So we rather adopt this new definition.

In complex analysis we define,

Definition: A function $f:\mathbb{C}\to \mathbb{C}$ is called differenciable iff for any point $p$ we have that the function $(f(z) - f(p))/(z-p)$ has a limit as $p\to z$. In this case we denote the derivative by $f'(p)$.

Any time we have a function $f:\mathbb{C}\to \mathbb{C}$ it induces a map $f_*:\mathbb{R}^2\to \mathbb{R}^2$. It is an exercise to show that if $f$ is differenciable in the complex sense then $f_*$ is differenciable in the real sense. But the converse is not true and your question is an example of how the converse may break down.
 

FAQ: Differentiability of complex function

What is the definition of differentiability for a complex function?

Differentiability for a complex function is defined as the ability of the function to have a well-defined derivative at a point in its domain. This means that the function must be continuous and its limit at the given point must exist.

How is the Cauchy-Riemann equation used to determine differentiability?

The Cauchy-Riemann equation is a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for a complex function to be differentiable. It states that if a complex function is differentiable at a point, then its partial derivatives with respect to the real and imaginary parts of its input must satisfy the Cauchy-Riemann equations.

What is the difference between analytic and holomorphic functions?

Analytic functions are those that can be expressed as a convergent power series in a region, while holomorphic functions are those that are differentiable at every point in a region. All holomorphic functions are analytic, but not all analytic functions are holomorphic.

Can a complex function be differentiable at a point but not on an entire region?

Yes, a complex function can be differentiable at a point but not on an entire region. This is because differentiability at a point only requires the existence of a derivative at that point, while differentiability on a region requires the existence of a derivative at every point in that region.

What are some common techniques for proving the differentiability of a complex function?

Some common techniques for proving the differentiability of a complex function include using the Cauchy-Riemann equations, showing that the function is analytic by expressing it as a power series, and using the Cauchy integral formula.

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