Complex analysis - Louvilles Theorem (I think)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around applying Liouville's theorem in the context of complex analysis, specifically to show that if an entire function \( f(z) \) satisfies the condition \( |f(z)| \leq c|z| \) for some constant \( c > 0 \), then \( f(z) \) can be expressed as \( f(z) = wz \) for some complex constant \( w \). The scope includes theoretical understanding and proof techniques in complex analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with proofs and understanding theorems related to complex analysis, particularly Liouville's theorem.
  • Another participant suggests applying Liouville's theorem to the auxiliary function \( g(z) = \frac{f(z)}{z} \), noting that this function is entire if \( f(0) = 0 \) and can be defined at the origin.
  • A clarification is made regarding the condition for \( f(z) \) at \( z = 0 \), with a participant correcting the earlier statement to indicate that \( f(0) = 0 \) is the intended meaning.
  • A further suggestion is made to utilize a theorem stating that if a function is analytic and bounded in a punctured neighborhood of a point, it can be extended to be analytic at that point.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach of using Liouville's theorem and the auxiliary function \( g(z) \), but there are clarifications and corrections regarding the conditions under which these functions are defined. The discussion remains unresolved as participants explore different aspects of the proof without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the function \( f(z) \) and its behavior at the origin, as well as the specific conditions under which Liouville's theorem can be applied.

jrp131191
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Hi I am doing a past exam for my complex analysis course and I should just mention right now that while it's a mix of pure/applied math I have never done a pure math unit before and i really really really suck at doing proofs and such..

Given c>0 and f(z) is entire such that |f(z)| ≤ c|z| show that :

f(z)=wz for some complex constant w.

I just have no idea how to tackle problems like this whatsoever and have to turn to google and notes which I obviously won't be able to do in the exam. Also I have trouble remembering all these theorems, corollaries, propositions..

My attempt at a solution was to state Louvilles theorem which is that if:

|f(z)|≤M and f(z) is entire then f(z)=w.. I don't really know where to go from here..

Any tips for tackling problems like this would be really appreciated!
 
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I think you are in the good path. Just apply Liouville's theorem to the auxiliary function $$g(z)=\frac{f(z)}{z}\text,$$ which is entire because ##f(z)=0## and we can continue ##g## to the origin as $$g(0)=\lim_{z\to 0}\frac{f(z)}{z}\text.$$
 
Alberto7 said:
I think you are in the good path. Just apply Liouville's theorem to the auxiliary function $$g(z)=\frac{f(z)}{z}\text,$$ which is entire because ##f(z)=0## and we can continue ##g## to the origin as $$g(0)=\lim_{z\to 0}\frac{f(z)}{z}\text.$$

Alberto7: what do you mean f(z)=0? Maybe you mean to say that, _if_ f(z)=0 , then

the discontinuity at z=0 can be removed (e.g., by the Riemann removable singularity

theorem, since |f(z)/z|<c <oo)?

Then, following (what I think was) Alberto7's idea ,

|f(z)/z| itself is entire and bounded, so...
 
Sorry, I meant ##f(0)=0##.
 
Last edited:
jrp: you should have some theorem in your textbook saying that if f is analytic (holomorphic) and bounded in some punctured neigborhood of a point a (or something simililar), then f can be extended to be analytic at a too. Apply this to f(z)/z and proceed as Alberto7 and Bacle2 suggested.
 
Last edited:

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