Calculating IA, IB, IC: A Parameterization Approach

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the integrals IA, IB, and IC, defined along different paths in the complex plane involving the function 1/z. Participants explore parameterization methods for these integrals, particularly focusing on the straight line segment and circular arcs, while addressing potential issues with the paths and their orientations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks guidance on parameterizing the straight line segment A from -3-4i to 4+3i and expresses uncertainty about the limits of integration.
  • Another participant suggests finding the equation of the straight line and provides a method to express the integral in terms of x(t) and y(t).
  • A participant points out a potential misunderstanding regarding the paths B and C, questioning whether they are indeed distinct arcs or represent the same path.
  • There is a discussion about parameterizing the circular arcs using trigonometric functions and determining the appropriate limits for the angle θ.
  • One participant claims that the integral for the anti-clockwise arc IB equals ipi and questions whether the clockwise arc IC would also equal ipi due to symmetry.
  • Another participant counters that 1/z is not symmetric and highlights its non-analytic nature at the origin, suggesting that this affects the line integrals.
  • A later reply discusses the analytic properties of 1/z within the region defined by curves A and B, proposing that the integrals along these paths can be related through the residue theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the paths B and C, with some suggesting they are the same and others asserting they are distinct. There is also disagreement regarding the symmetry of the integral values for the clockwise and anti-clockwise paths, indicating unresolved perspectives on these points.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations related to the definitions of the paths and the analytic properties of the function 1/z, which may affect the calculations and interpretations of the integrals.

squenshl
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I'm studying for a test.
The question is:
Let A be the straight line segment from -3-4i to 4+3i. Let B be the arc of the circle |z| = 5 going anti-clockwise from -3-4i to 4+3i. Let C be the arc of the circle |z| = 5 going anti-clockwise from -3-i to 4+3i. Define:
IA = [tex]\int_A[/tex] 1/z dz

IB = [tex]\int_B[/tex] 1/z dz

IC = [tex]\int_C[/tex] 1/z dz

How do I calculate IA, IB, IC? I know to write IA as an integral by parameterizing A, but how do I parameterize A, I know if I can find IA then the other two are easy. Could I let z = eit so dz = ieit dt. I can't seem to get the limits integration.
 
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You have:

[itex]\int_{-3-4i}^{4+3i} \frac{1}{z}dz[/itex]

Just figure out the equation of the straight line from start to end. I get simply [itex]y=x-1[/itex]. So let [itex]x(t)=t[/itex] and [itex]y(t)=t-1[/itex] and solve:

[itex]\int_{-3}^4 \frac{1}{x(t)+iy(t)}(dx(t)+idy(t))[/itex]
 
|-3-4i|= |4+ 3i|= 5 so they both lie on the circle |z|= 5 but [itex]|-3- i|= \sqrt{10}\ne 5[/itex] so the circle |z|= 5 does NOT go "from -3- i to 4+ 3i". Did you mean "from -3- 4i to 4+ 3i"? But then B and C are the same!? Perhaps you mean "from 4+ 3i to -3- 4i"? That is, B and C are two halves of the same circle.

Since z= x+ iy is on the circle |z|= 5 if and only if [itex]x^2+ y^2= 5[/itex], we can use [itex]x= 5cos(\theta)[/itex] and [/itex]y= 5 sin(\theta)[/itex] (which is the same as z= 5e^{i\theta}[/itex] for the circle. The only "difficulty" is getting the beginning and ending values for [itex]\theta[/itex]. At z= 4+ 3i, [itex]x= 5 cos(\theta)= 4[/itex] and [itex]5 sin(\theta)= 3[/itex] so [itex](5 sin(\theta))/(5 cos(\theta))= tan(\theta)= 3/4[/itex]. For the anti-clockwise circle from 4+ 3i to -3- 4i, [itex]\theta[/itex] goes from [itex]arctan(3/4)[/itex] to [itex]\pi+ arctan(3/4)[/itex] and for the anti-clockwise circle from -3- 4i to 4+ 3i, [itex]\theta[/itex] goes from [itex]\pi+ arctan(3/4)[/itex] to [itex]2\pi+ arctan(3/4)[/itex].
 
Sorry C is the arc of a circle |z| = 5 going clockwise from -3-4i to 4+3i.
How do I parameterize z
Is [tex]\vartheta[/tex] the same as for the anticlockwise arc.
 
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Sorry z = 5exp(i[tex]\vartheta[/tex])
 
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For the anti-clockwise arc I got IB = ipi
Does that mean the clockwise arc is ipi by symmetry
 
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No.. 1/z is not a symmetric function.
It is also not an analytic function (in the origin), and I guess this exercise comes to teach you what it means about its line integrals.
 
1/z is analytic inside the region determined by the curves A and B and on the curves... so, [tex]\displaystyle\int_B f(z) dz - \displaystyle\int_A f(z) dz = 0[/tex] (the minus sign is to correct orientation of the curves). So, if you found B, you have A.

Joining C with B (or A, it doesn't really matter), correcting the orientations, you can find the integral using residue theorem (which is simple for f(z) = 1/z, as it's already a Laurent series, and the pole is simple (order 1)). So, if you have B, and the residue, you also have C, and the problem is solved.
 

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