Mapping a Circle in the Complex Plane using f(z)=1/z

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The discussion centers on mapping a circle of radius 1 centered at z=-2i using the function f(z)=1/z. Participants explore converting the circle into polar form and inverting it, leading to a complex expression that combines real and imaginary parts. There is a focus on simplifying the mapping using the modulus of the circle and separating components for easier graphing. The conversation highlights the challenge of algebraically deriving the image of the circle and the importance of careful manipulation of complex numbers. Ultimately, the participants seek clarity on the algebraic representation of the resulting image circle.
cragar
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Homework Statement


What is the mapping of the circle of radius 1 centered at z=-2i
under the mappinf f(z)=1/z

The Attempt at a Solution


I write the circle in polar form -2i+e^{ix}
Now we invert it and multiply by the complex conjugate.
so we get f(z)= \frac{2i+e^{-ix}}{5+2i(e^{ix}-e^{-ix})}
now sure how to graph it our manipulate it any more, should I break it into real and imaginary parts?
also there was a hint that w=1/z and z=1/w. where w is the complex mapping. any help would be appreciated
 
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cragar said:
Now we invert it and multiply by the complex conjugate
Well, we multiply by 1 where we write 1 as cc/cc. The denominator is now real -- perhaps you want to let it look a little more real (think goniometric functions) ? And for the numerator real and imaginary parts are easily separated...

[edit] I see that there's more to be had here (the image is very simple), but can't pin it down
 
Last edited:
thanks for your help, ok when i plug in sin(x) instead of the complex exponentials I get
\frac{i(2-sin(x)}{5-4sin(x)}+\frac{cos(x)}{5-4sin(x)}
Not sure what to do from here, I could plug in points and graph it, but I thought this was to be something somewhat straight forward
to graph.
 
cragar said:
I could plug in points and graph it
I did just that and it inspired me to the [edit] addition. Just trying to figure it out.
 
I guess another way to try and solve it is using the modulus of a circle.
w=1/z. So the radius is one . So we have |z+2i|=1=|1/w+2i|=1
then we get |\frac{2iw+1}{w}|=1
then we multiply both sides by |w| and square both sides . Then I get
1+4w^2=x^2+y^2
then I write w as x+iy, square it ans then equate the real and imaginary parts.
is this the way to go?
 
Don't know what the modulus of a circle is. Plug and plot (plod :smile:) gave me another circle as image ...
 
ok but how do I get to the circle with algebra ?
 
If ##z=e^{it}## then ##w=\frac{1}{e^{it}}=e^{-it}##. So as ##z## traverses the circle in a counter-clockwise direction, what is ##e^{-it}## doing?
 
with the negative sign it goes around the circle in the opposite direction., but when I put the shift in the -2i translation, it makes the algebra more difficult,
my teacher said using the modulus form of circle to make the algebra more clean and simple, but I can't quite get it to work. thanks for your help by the way.
 
  • #10
Do you already have the equation of the image circle ?
 
  • #11
I got it figured out, i just need to be more careful with the i and w . thanks for your help.
 

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