Question about partial derivative relations for complex numbers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of the partial derivative of a complex function with respect to a complex variable into terms of its real components. Participants explore the relationships between the variables and the implications of complex differentiability, particularly in the context of the Cauchy-Riemann equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to express ##\frac{\partial \psi(z)}{\partial z}## in terms of ##x## and ##y##, questioning the simplification of the expression involving partial derivatives.
  • Another participant suggests that for a complex differentiable function, the real and imaginary parts can be expressed as functions of real variables, leading to the Cauchy-Riemann equations that impose conditions on the partial derivatives.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriateness of using different notation for real and complex derivatives, with some participants arguing against introducing the real and imaginary components of the function.
  • One participant points out a potential error in the factor of one half in the expression for the derivative, indicating that the previous steps may not be valid.
  • Another participant references the Weierstraß formula and the concept of complex linearity as an alternative approach to the problem.
  • Participants discuss the implications of splitting the variable ##z## into its real and imaginary parts, with some expressing skepticism about this method.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of certain mathematical steps and the use of notation. There is no consensus on the best approach to simplify the expression for the partial derivative, and multiple competing views remain regarding the treatment of complex functions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of adhering to the definitions of complex differentiation and the conditions imposed by the Cauchy-Riemann equations. There are unresolved mathematical steps and differing interpretations of the notation used in the discussion.

binbagsss
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Apologies this is probably a very bad question but it's been a while since I have seen this.

I have ##z=x+iy##. I need to convert ##\frac{\partial \psi(z)}{\partial z}## , with ##\psi## some function of ##z##, in terms of ##x## and ##y##
I have ##dz=dx+idy##. so
##\frac{\partial \psi }{\partial z}=\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x+i \partial y}##
But I am not sure how to simplify futher as I don't think you can't write
##\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x+i \partial y} = \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} +\frac{1}{i}\frac{\partial \psi}{ \partial y}##?

Thanks
 
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Some function is little information. Say it is complex differentiable and ##\psi\, : \,\mathbb{C}\longrightarrow \mathbb{C}.## Then we have ##\psi(z)=\psi(x+iy)=u(x+iy)+i v(x+iy).## Written as real functions, we get ##u,v\, : \,\mathbb{R}^2\longrightarrow \mathbb{R}## with ##u(x,y)=u(x+iy)## and ##v(x,y)=v(x+iy).## It makes no sense to use different letters, but you can use a prime if you like since these equalities are not proper equalities, just correspondences. Now, you can consider the partial derivatives
$$
\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial x}\, , \,\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial y}\, , \,\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial x}\, , \,\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial y}
$$
In order to be complex differentiable, the complex derivative has to be complex linear, not only real linear. Thus we have the additional requirements
$$
\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial y}\;\text{ and }\;\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial y}=-\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial x}\quad (2)
$$

I would have approached it without the deviation along the real numbers and would have used the Weierstraß formula and complex linearity, but the above is how it is done with real components and the Cauchy-Riemann equations (2).

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/an-overview-of-complex-differentiation-and-integration/
could also be helpful.
 
Last edited:
binbagsss said:
Apologies this is probably a very bad question but it's been a while since I have seen this.

I have ##z=x+iy##. I need to convert ##\frac{\partial \psi(z)}{\partial z}## , with ##\psi## some function of ##z##, in terms of ##x## and ##y##
I have ##dz=dx+idy##. so
##\frac{\partial \psi }{\partial z}=\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x+i \partial y}##
But I am not sure how to simplify futher as I don't think you can't write
##\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x+i \partial y} = \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} +\frac{1}{i}\frac{\partial \psi}{ \partial y}##?

Thanks
##\frac{\partial f}{\partial z}=\frac12\left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} -i\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\right)##
 
binbagsss said:
I have dz=dx+idy. so

Your "so" does not follow. It does not work that way for multiple reasons, but the very first thing you should be concerned with is that you use ##d## before "so" and ##\partial## after.
 
fresh_42 said:
Some function is little information. Say it is complex differentiable and ##\psi\, : \,\mathbb{C}\longrightarrow \mathbb{C}.## Then we have ##\psi(z)=\psi(x+iy)=u(x+iy)+i v(x+iy).## Written as real functions, we get ##u,v\, : \,\mathbb{R}^2\longrightarrow \mathbb{R}## with ##u(x,y)=u(x+iy)## and ##v(x,y)=v(x+iy).## It makes no sense to use different letters, but you can use a prime if you like since these equalities are not proper equalities, just correspondences. Now, you can consider the partial derivatives
$$
\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial x}\, , \,\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial y}\, , \,\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial x}\, , \,\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial y}
$$
In order to be complex differentiable, the complex derivative has to be complex linear, not only real linear. Thus we have the additional requirements
$$
\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial y}\;\text{ and }\;\dfrac{\partial u}{\partial y}=-\dfrac{\partial v}{\partial x}\quad (2)
$$

I would have approached it without the deviation along the real numbers and would have used the Weierstraß formula and complex linearity, but the above is how it is done with real components and the Cauchy-Riemann equations (2).

https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/an-overview-of-complex-differentiation-and-integration/
could also be helpful.
in the context of the problem I have, I am pretty certain one does not want to introduce ##\Re(\psi)## and ##\Im(\psi)##
 
binbagsss said:
in the context of the problem I have, I am pretty certain one does not want to introduce ##\Re(\psi)## and ##\Im(\psi)##
Then why do you want to split ##z##?
 
binbagsss said:
in the context of the problem I have, I am pretty certain one does not want to introduce ##\Re(\psi)## and ##\Im(\psi)##
The steps you wrote are meaningless. The answer you wrote is of by a factor of one half. I wrote the usual form. Doesn't that answer your question?
 
martinbn said:
The steps you wrote are meaningless. The answer you wrote is of by a factor of one half. I wrote the usual form. Doesn't that answer your question?
yes it does, yes apologies i did miss the factor of 1/2- had a bad signal your reply did not load. ty. can you show me how you get to that properly, if it is meaningless to write:

##\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial z}=\frac{\partial \psi}{\frac{1}{2}\left(\partial x + i \partial y\right)} ## and try to simplify this..
 
binbagsss said:
yes it does, yes apologies i did miss the factor of 1/2- had a bad signal your reply did not load. ty. can you show me how you get to that properly, if it is meaningless to write:

##\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial z}=\frac{\partial \psi}{\frac{1}{2}\left(\partial x + i \partial y\right)} ## and try to simplify this..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtinger_derivatives

It comes from ##x=\dfrac{1}{2}(z+\overline{z})## and ##y=\dfrac{i}{2}(\overline{z}-z)## and ##d\psi =\dfrac{\partial \psi}{\partial x}dx +\dfrac{\partial \psi}{\partial y}dy.##
 
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