Integrating a Complex Function Over a Contour

Bashyboy
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Homework Statement


##z(t) = t + it^2## and ##f(z) = z^2 = (x^2 - y^2) + 2iyx##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Because ##f(z)## is analytic everywhere in the plane, the integral of ##f(z)## between the points ##z(1) = (1,1)## and ##z(3) = (3,9)## is independent of the contour (the path taken). So, I can choose a simpler contour which passes through these two points, such as a line.

Using the two points to find the slope, and parameterizing it, we get the straight-line contour

##z_1(\tau) = \tau + i(4 \tau + 3)##.

Here is where I am having difficulty. How exactly do I find the interval between the two points? This is how I did it, but am I unsure if it is correct:

##z(\tau) = (1,1) \implies##

##(\tau, 4 \tau + 3) = (1,1)##

which gives us the two equations

##\tau = 1## and ##4 \tau + 3 = 1##.

However, I get a different ##\tau## value from each equation. What can account for this?
 
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I found the mistake. The straight-line contour should actually be ##z_1(t) = \tau + i(2 \tau \underbrace{-} 3)##
 
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