Complex Mapping/Images question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the mapping f(z) = (z - i)/(z + i) and the task of finding the image of the region where Im(z) ≥ 0. Participants are exploring the implications of this mapping in the context of complex analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the mapping of specific points and the resulting images in the w-plane, questioning how the boundary y=0 maps to a circle. There are attempts to simplify expressions and verify the relationship u^2 + v^2 = 1.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and guidance on how to approach the problem. Some have identified that the mapping leads to a circular region, while others are clarifying the algebraic steps needed to confirm this. There is no explicit consensus yet, but productive lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can provide. There is a focus on understanding the properties of Mobius transformations and their implications for the mapping in question.

NewtonianAlch
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Homework Statement


For the mapping f(z) = [itex]\frac{z - i}{z + i}[/itex], find the image of Im(z) ≥ 0

The Attempt at a Solution



So in the z-plane this is clearly everything for y ≥ 0

I substituted x + iy, and rationalised it to get:

[itex]u+iv[/itex] = [itex]{\frac {{x}^{2}-1+{y}^{2}}{{x}^{2}+1+{y}^{2}+2\,y}}-{\frac {2\,ix}{{x}<br /> ^{2}+1+{y}^{2}+2\,y}}[/itex]

The denominator can be simplified to x^2 + (y+1)^2

The answer says that this is a closed disc of |w| ≤ 1 with an exclusion at w = 1. Which means I should be seeing an answer of the form u^2 + v^2 ≤ 1

I do not see how they got this.
 
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Try looking at what happens to the boundary y=0. Can you show that maps into u^2+v^2=1?
 
For (x,y)

I used (0,0) -> (-1,0)
(1,0) -> (0,-1)
(-1,0) -> (0,1)

So one can see that it starts forming a circle, from the answer given I could guess that it is indeed a circle, but since I can't plot (0,-1) since that's not defined, how would I know it is a circle?

Also it's easy to see that for any values y>0, it maps to a point inside the circle, so it's definitely inside the region.

Also, is it possible to see what this is without having to plot several points?
 
NewtonianAlch said:
For (x,y)

I used (0,0) -> (-1,0)
(1,0) -> (0,-1)
(-1,0) -> (0,1)

So one can see that it starts forming a circle, from the answer given I could guess that it is indeed a circle, but since I can't plot (0,-1) since that's not defined, how would I know it is a circle?

Also it's easy to see that for any values y>0, it maps to a point inside the circle, so it's definitely inside the region.

Also, is it possible to see what this is without having to plot several points?

Put y=0 into your u and v expressions. Show u^2+v^2=1. It's pretty easy algebra.
 
Dick said:
Put y=0 into your u and v expressions. Show u^2+v^2=1. It's pretty easy algebra.

I do not quite follow. That gives me an expression in x.
 
NewtonianAlch said:
I do not quite follow. That gives me an expression in x.

What expression for x? If you did it correctly you should be able to simplify the expression to 1.
 
For y = 0:

u + iv = [itex]{\frac {{x}^{2}-2\,ix-1}{{x}^{2}+1}}[/itex]
 
Oh, I see now, when y=0 and x= 0. Thanks!
 
NewtonianAlch said:
Oh, I see now, when y=0 and x= 0. Thanks!

Well no, for y=0 and x=anything. ((x^2-1)^2+(2x)^2)/(x^2+1)^2=1. Yes?
 
  • #10
Hmm, yes I see that now after working it out, although I hadn't the faintest idea that would occur by looking at the expressions, how did you figure that out?
 
  • #11
NewtonianAlch said:
Hmm, yes I see that now after working it out, although I hadn't the faintest idea that would occur by looking at the expressions, how did you figure that out?

You told me the answer should be u^2+v^2=1. That was my first clue. I know that the function you gave is a Mobius transformation. I know all Mobius transformations map lines to lines or circles. That was a pretty good second clue.
 
  • #12
A Mobius Transformation? Never heard of that, thanks for the tip, I will check it out now.
 

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