How is the Complex Line Integral of a Circle Calculated?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the complex line integral of a function around a circle, specifically the function conjugate(z)/(z - t) for a circle of radius r centered at the origin. Participants explore the mathematical steps involved in performing this integral, including substitutions and transformations, while addressing the implications of different values of t.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants state that the line integral around a circle of radius r for the function conjugate(z)/(z - t) is 0 for all t inside the circle.
  • One participant describes the substitution of z = re^(iθ) and the resulting expression for dz, leading to a transformed integral.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about calculating the final integral and notes the complexity of the expression involving trigonometric functions.
  • There is a suggestion to refer to integral tables or to substitute back to the original variable to simplify the integral.
  • Participants discuss the implications of setting t to zero, with one asserting that the integral is not zero in that case, while another challenges this assertion by calculating the integral directly.
  • One participant acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the notation for dz and its differentiation.
  • A correction is made regarding the earlier claim about the integral being zero when t is zero, clarifying that it was a mistake based on a misinterpretation of the function involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the calculation of the integral, as participants express differing views on the implications of specific values of t and the correctness of earlier claims. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the final evaluation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the integral and the potential for confusion in the notation and transformations used. There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the behavior of the integral under different conditions.

Skrew
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I read(and numerically calculated) that the line integral around a circle of radius r centered at 0 for the function conjugate(z)/(z - t) is 0 for all t inside the circle.

I don't know see how this integration is performed.
 
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Skrew said:
I read(and numerically calculated) that the line integral around a circle of radius r centered at 0 for the function conjugate(z)/(z - t) is 0 for all t inside the circle.

I don't know see how this integration is performed.



Let's see if I'm still medium lucid at this hour...As the integral is on [itex]\,\,|z|=r\,\,[/itex] , we can put [itex]\,\,z=re^{i\theta}\,,\,0\leq\theta\leq 2\pi\Longrightarrow dz=rie^{i\theta}\,d\theta[/itex] , so that
[tex]\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{\overline{z}}{z-t}\,dz=r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}[/tex]
This last integral you can find in integral tables or, funny enough, you can go back to your original variable by means of

another change of variables and get zero then...

DonAntonio
 
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DonAntonio said:
Let's see if I'm still medium lucid at this hour...As the integral is on [itex]\,\,|z|=r\,\,[/itex] , we can put [itex]\,\,z=re^{i\theta}\,,\,0\leq\theta\leq 2\pi\Longrightarrow dz=rie^{i\theta}\,d\theta[/itex] , so that
[tex]\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{\overline{z}}{z-t}\,dz=r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}[/tex]
This last integral you can find in integral tables or, funny enough, you can go back to your original variable by means of

another change of variables and get zero then...

DonAntonio

I was able to get where you got to but I don't know how to calculate the final integral.

Note that it's not nearly as simple as it would appear since

1/(e^(thetai) - t) = (cos(theta) - sin(theta)i - conjugate(t))/((cos(theta) + real(t))^2 + (sin(theta) + img(t))^2).
 
Skrew said:
I was able to get where you got to but I don't know how to calculate the final integral.

Note that it's not nearly as simple as it would appear since

1/(e^(thetai) - t) = (cos(theta) - sin(theta)i - conjugate(t))/((cos(theta) + real(t))^2 + (sin(theta) + img(t))^2).



Look it in Bronshtein-Semendiaev: it appears as [itex]\int\frac{1}{b+ce^{ax}}dx[/itex] , or do what I adviced you: substitute back to z leaving that constant out.

DonAntonio
 
DonAntonio said:
Look it in Bronshtein-Semendiaev: it appears as [itex]\int\frac{1}{b+ce^{ax}}dx[/itex] , or do what I adviced you: substitute back to z leaving that constant out.

DonAntonio

hmm I am still not seeing the change of variables solution.
 
Skrew said:
hmm I am still not seeing the change of variables solution.



We had [itex]\,\,\displaystyle{r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}}\,\,[/itex] . Now just substitute back
[tex]z=re^{i\theta}\Longrightarrow dz=rie^{i\theta}d\theta\Longrightarrow id\theta=\frac{dz}{z}\Longrightarrow r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}=r^2\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z(z-t)}=\frac{r^2}{t}\left[\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z-t}-\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z}\right]\,\,,\,\,t\neq 0[/tex]

Now, each of both integrals on the right have the same value so

Of course, if t is zero then the integral is NOT zero.

DonAntonio
 
DonAntonio said:
We had [itex]\,\,\displaystyle{r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}}\,\,[/itex] . Now just substitute back
[tex]z=re^{i\theta}\Longrightarrow dz=rie^{i\theta}d\theta\Longrightarrow id\theta=\frac{dz}{z}\Longrightarrow r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}=r^2\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z(z-t)}=\frac{r^2}{t}\left[\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z-t}-\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z}\right]\,\,,\,\,t\neq 0[/tex]

Now, each of both integrals on the right have the same value so

Of course, if t is zero then the integral is NOT zero.

DonAntonio

Hmm, I'm not seeing how one gets from z = re^(theta*i) to dz = rie^(theta*i)dtheta.
 
Skrew said:
Hmm, I'm not seeing how one gets from z = re^(theta*i) to dz = rie^(theta*i)dtheta.



Eeer...if you can't differentiate then perhaps this stuff's still a little too advanced for you...and I wonder now how

come you wrote after my first post that you were able to get where I got...??

DonAntonio
 
DonAntonio said:
Eeer...if you can't differentiate then perhaps this stuff's still a little too advanced for you...and I wonder now how

come you wrote after my first post that you were able to get where I got...??

DonAntonio

Edit: oh nevermind, I see.

I was confusing your dz with being the derivative of z, not the notational definition hahahaha.
 
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  • #10
DonAntonio said:
We had [itex]\,\,\displaystyle{r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}}\,\,[/itex] . Now just substitute back
[tex]z=re^{i\theta}\Longrightarrow dz=rie^{i\theta}d\theta\Longrightarrow id\theta=\frac{dz}{z}\Longrightarrow r^2i\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{d\theta}{re^{i\theta}-t}=r^2\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z(z-t)}=\frac{r^2}{t}\left[\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z-t}-\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{dz}{z}\right]\,\,,\,\,t\neq 0[/tex]

Now, each of both integrals on the right have the same value so

Of course, if t is zero then the integral is NOT zero.

DonAntonio

Something is bugging me, why do you say that if t is zero the integral is not zero?

integral of 1/e^(thetai) with respect to theta = integral of 1/(cos(theta) + sin(theta)i)
= integral of cos(theta) - sin(theta)i
= 0.

If that's a typo it's no problem but I want to make sure I am not missing something obvious.
 
  • #11
Skrew said:
Something is bugging me, why do you say that if t is zero the integral is not zero?

integral of 1/e^(thetai) with respect to theta = integral of 1/(cos(theta) + sin(theta)i)
= integral of cos(theta) - sin(theta)i
= 0.

If that's a typo it's no problem but I want to make sure I am not missing something obvious.


That wasn't a typo but a mistake: I forgot what the function was and thought it was only [itex]\,\,\displaystyle{\frac{1}{z}\,\,,\,\,instead\,\,of\,\,\frac{\overline{z}}{z}}\,\,[/itex] . I'd go


[itex]\displaystyle{\oint_{|z|=r}\frac{\overline{z}}{z}dz=ri\int_0^{2\pi}e^{-i\theta}d\theta=\left.-re^{-i\theta}\right]_0^{2\pi}=-r(1-1)=0}\,\,[/itex] , but what you did is correct, too.

DonAntonio
 
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