Maximum/mimimum of a complex function

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding the maximum of a complex function defined as z0f(k) and its absolute value |z0f(k)|. It establishes that the critical points for maximizing the absolute value require solving |z0f(k)|' = 0 rather than z0f'(k) = 0. The user also inquires about the function g(k) = √(z1 + z2sin k) with complex constants z1 and z2, questioning if g'(k) = 0 yields critical points. The response clarifies that one must differentiate the absolute value |g(k)| to find critical points accurately.

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mvillagra
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Hi, I have the following problem

given a function f(k) defined on the reals and a complex constant z0, what is the maximum of the following function?

z_0f(k)

The maximum of the module is clearly the value k such that

z_0f'(k)=0

right? because when you take the module, the squares of the real and imaginary parts are maximum and hence the module is maximum.

But what happens when you cannot factorize the complex constants? e.g., given the following fuction

g(k)=\sqrt{z_1+z_2\sin k}

where k is real, and z1 and z2 are complex constants. Can we still derivate g, make it equal to 0 and still say we can find a critical point? i.e., does solving
g'(k)=0
gives you a critical point?

thanks in advance for the help :shy:
 
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Well, first of all, you seem to want the maximum of the absolute value. In this case, you'll need to find the critical points not of z_0f(k) (or for the second case, g(k)), but of |z_0f(k)| (or for the second case, |g(k)|).
 
I didn't write it down correctly, but the question is

does solving |g(k)|'=0 and g'(k)=0 give the same critical points?
 
Have you tried finding the critical points of each and comparing them?
 

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