Complex Variables: Area Enclosed by Contour Formula

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating that the area enclosed by a positively oriented simple closed contour can be expressed using a specific integral involving the conjugate of the complex variable. The subject area is complex variables, particularly focusing on contour integrals and their applications in calculating areas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the meaning of terms in the problem statement and the implications of using the conjugate function. There are inquiries about the definitions of the components involved, such as the functions u and v related to f(z) = \bar{z}. Some participants suggest starting with the expression for the contour integral and reviewing relevant theorems, like Green's Theorem, to understand the requirements for analyticity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on how to approach the problem. Some have expressed uncertainty about where to begin, while others have provided hints and suggestions for exploring the relationship between the contour integral and the area calculation. There is no explicit consensus yet, but several productive lines of inquiry are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the function f(z) = \bar{z} is not analytic anywhere, which raises questions about the applicability of certain theorems. There is also mention of formatting issues with the expression, indicating potential confusion in the presentation of the problem.

eaglesmath15
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Homework Statement


Show that if C is a positively oriented simple closed contour, then the area of the region enclosed by C can be written (1/2i)/∫C\bar{}zdz.
Note that expression 4 Sec. 46 can be used here even though the function f(z)=\bar{}z is not analytic anywhere.
FORMATTING NOTE: SHOULD BE Z BAR, NOT NEGATIVE Z.

Homework Equations


exspression 4 sec. 46: ∫Cf(z)dz=∫∫R(-vx-uy)dA+i∫∫R(ux-vy)dA.
 
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Cool - what have you tried so far?
Do you now what all the terms in the problem statement mean at least?

Formatting note: here - let me help...

You want to show:

If ##C## is a, positively oriented, simple closed contour, then the area of the region enclosed by ##C## can be written $$A_C=\frac{1}{2i}\int_C\bar{z}\;dz$$

You can use: $$\int_C f(z)dz = \iint_R (-v_x-u_y)dA + i\iint_R (u_x-v_y)dA$$... even though ##f(x)=\bar{z}## is not analytic anywhere.

That better?
Use the "quote" button under this post to see how I did that ;)
 
Simon Bridge said:
Cool - what have you tried so far?
Do you now what all the terms in the problem statement mean at least?

Formatting note: here - let me help...

You want to show:

If ##C## is a, positively oriented, simple closed contour, then the area of the region enclosed by ##C## can be written $$A_C=\frac{1}{2i}\int_C\bar{z}\;dz$$

You can use: $$\int_C f(z)dz = \iint_R (-v_x-u_y)dA + i\iint_R (u_x-v_y)dA$$... even though ##f(x)=\bar{z}## is not analytic anywhere.

That better?
Use the "quote" button under this post to see how I did that ;)


Thanks! It looks like what I had tried before, but it hadn't worked, so I probably just missed something.

I haven't really tried anything yet, I'm not entirely sure where to begin.
 
eaglesmath15 said:
Thanks! It looks like what I had tried before, but it hadn't worked, so I probably just missed something.

I haven't really tried anything yet, I'm not entirely sure where to begin.

What are u and v for the function ##f(z)=\bar z##? Start there.
 
eaglesmath15 said:
Thanks! It looks like what I had tried before, but it hadn't worked, so I probably just missed something.
If PF just gave you a funny box with your latex in it, then you probably left of a brace somewhere. No worries.

I haven't really tried anything yet, I'm not entirely sure where to begin.
Like Dick says ... look at the expression you are allowed to use: the LHS of it contains part of what you have to prove - which means you have to end up with something that has the RHS in it. The RHS has loads of u's and v's ... so you want to express f(z) in terms of u and v first - then try to work out the area enclosed.
 
eaglesmath15 said:
I'm not entirely sure where to begin.

(1) Start with the expression:

\oint_C f(z)dz=\oint_C (u+iv)dz=\oint_C (u+iv)(dx+idy)

and does f(z) even have to be analytic for that to hold?

(2) Now review Green's Theorem in the plane. Does that theorem require f(z) to be analytic?

(3) What happens when I combine (1) and (2) for the function f(z)=\overline{z}?

(4) And last and foremost, try it with a non-trivial example (circles won't do). Do it for a triangle contour.
 

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