Question regarding maximum on a unit disc

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the maximum of the modulus of the complex exponential function |e^z| on the closed unit disc in the complex plane. The original poster references the Maximum Modulus Theorem and expresses confusion about evaluating the function on the boundary of the unit disc.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the Maximum Modulus Theorem and suggest expressing z in terms of polar coordinates on the unit circle. There are questions about how to evaluate |e^z| specifically when z is expressed as e^(iθ).

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring the problem, with some providing hints and guidance on how to calculate the modulus. There is a recognition of the need to consider the complex conjugate when simplifying expressions. The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations and approaches being examined.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the properties of the complex exponential function and its behavior on the unit circle. Participants are navigating through the implications of the Maximum Modulus Theorem and the specific calculations required for this problem.

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Homework Statement



Find the maximum of |ez| on the closed unit disc.

Homework Equations



|ez| is the modulus of ez
z belongs to complex plane
Maximum Madulus Theorem - Let G be a bounded open set in complex plane and suppose f is a continuous function on G closure which is analytic in G. Then max{|f(z)|: z in G closure} = max{|f(z)|: z in boundary of G}

The Attempt at a Solution



At first glance I was thinking about using Maximum Modulus Theorem by setting f(z) = ez and let G be a open unit disc. Clearly f(z) is analytic in G and is continuous on G closure (the closed unit disc), so I should be able to apply MMT to conclude that the modulus assumes maximum on the boundary.
However I got confused when determining how do I describe |f(z)| on the boundary, in another word, how do I determine what value of z to use?

Please let me know if my approach is right and perhaps give me some advice or hint.
I appreciate all the helps you provide.
 
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as on the boundary |z| = 1, how about starting by writing it in the form z = 1. e^(i theta)
 
Since z lies on the unit circle, we can write it as: max{|f(z)|: z in boundary of G} = max{|f(z)|: z = exp(i\theta), \theta \in [-\pi,\pi)}

However, what do you know about |e^z| when z = e^{i\theta}?
 
Coto said:
Since z lies on the unit circle, we can write it as: max{|f(z)|: z in boundary of G} = max{|f(z)|: z = exp(i\theta), \theta \in [-\pi,\pi)}

However, what do you know about |e^z| when z = e^{i\theta}?

I'm not sure where this is going, in this case we will just have exp(exp(i\theta))?

I also know that e^(i\theta) = cos(\theta) + i*sin(\theta), but I don't know if this will help my solution or not.
 
It does. Calculate explicitly the modulus of e^z using the identity you provided above for e^{i\theta}.
 
Coto said:
It does. Calculate explicitly the modulus of e^z using the identity you provided above for e^{i\theta}.

So now I have |ecos(\theta)+isin(\theta)|

|ecos(\theta)*eisin(\theta)|
= |ecos(\theta)*(cos(sin(\theta))+isin(sin(\theta)))|

Now I don't know why I got stuck here...
 
not too sure what you did there in the last step... but you need to remember the complex conjugate in the magnitude... try that before you simplify
|e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)}|^2 = (e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})(e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})^*
 
lanedance said:
not too sure what you did there in the last step... but you need to remember the complex conjugate in the magnitude... try that before you simplify
|e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)}|^2 = (e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})(e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})^*


thanks for the tip.

Well, I know that (ez)* = ez^*

So I can simply |e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)}|^2 = (e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})(e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})^* to:

(e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{i sin(\theta)})(e^{ cos(\theta)}e^{-i sin(\theta)})

Then by combing the exponential functions with the same exponent, then I obtain:

(e^{ 2cos(\theta)})

So after taking the square root of the whole thing,

|e^z| = e^ { cos(\theta)}

The max value of cos(\theta) = 1

So the maximum of |e^z| = e?
 
that looks good to me
 
  • #10
lanedance said:
that looks good to me

Thanks.
 

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