How to Solve a Harmonic Function Problem Involving Partial Derivatives?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around solving a problem related to harmonic functions and their properties involving partial derivatives. Participants explore the relationship between harmonic functions and their conjugates, particularly in the context of complex differentiability.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in solving a harmonic function problem and seeks assistance.
  • Another participant provides a hint regarding the conditions for a harmonic conjugate function, stating that the partial derivatives must satisfy specific relationships for the function to be holomorphic.
  • A similar hint is reiterated by another participant, emphasizing the same conditions for the harmonic conjugate function.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the process of partial differentiation, specifically noting that when differentiating with respect to one variable, the other variable is treated as a constant.
  • An example is given to illustrate the integration of the partial derivative to find the conjugate function, demonstrating the relationship between the derivatives of the functions involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical principles governing harmonic functions and their conjugates, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific steps to take next in solving the original problem.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the functions involved and the specific problem context are not fully articulated, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.

jaychay
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Can you please help me how to do it ?
I am really struggle with this question.

Thank you in advance
 
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Hint: A harmonic conjugate function $v$ must have that $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial y}$ and $\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}=-\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}$, so that the function given by $f(x+iy)=u(x,y)+iv(x,y)$ is holomorphic (complex differentiable).
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Hint: A harmonic conjugate function $v$ must have that $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial y}$ and $\frac{\partial u}{\partial y}=-\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}$, so that the function given by $f(x+iy)=u(x,y)+iv(x,y)$ is holomorphic (complex differentiable).
Can you tell what is the next step that I should do please ?
 

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jaychay said:
Can you tell what is the next step that I should do please ?
It's a partial derivative (note the round d's). When we partially differentiate with respect to $x$, then that means that we treat $y$ as a constant.
More concisely:
$$\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(y)=0$$
So you can simplify your expression for $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}$ a bit.

Next step is to integrate $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}$ with respect to $y$ to find $v(x,y)$.
When we do so, we treat $x$ as a constant.

Let me give an example.
Suppose we have $u(x,y)=xy$. Then we have $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=y$.
And $v(x,y)=\int \frac{\partial u}{\partial x} \,dy = \int y\,dy = \frac 12y^2 + C(x)$, where $C(x)$ is some function of $x$.
We can verify by evaluating $\frac{\partial v}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}\Big(\frac 12y^2 + C(x)\Big) = y$.
As we can see, we get indeed that $\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial v}{\partial y}$.
 
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