Showing uniqueness of complex ODE

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a complex ordinary differential equation (ODE) given by (1-z)*f'(z)-3*f(z) = 0 with the initial condition f(0) = 2. The task is to prove the uniqueness of the solution within a specified domain.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the transformation of the original equation into a form that suggests a product derivative, questioning how this relates to uniqueness. There are attempts to integrate and analyze the implications of analyticity in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring different interpretations of the problem and the implications of their manipulations. Some have offered insights into the relationship between the transformed equation and the concept of constants, but there is no explicit consensus on the uniqueness proof yet.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the problem being part of extra credit and that the topic of complex ODEs has not been covered in depth in class, which may affect the participants' confidence and understanding.

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Homework Statement



We are given (1-z)*f'(z)-3*f(z) = 0, f(0) = 2 valid on the open disk centered at 0 with radius 1 and told to prove there is a unique solution to the differential equation. The hint he gave was to find a factor that makes the left side the derivative of a product, but that didn't really help me.

Homework Equations



The found factor was (1-z)^2, so you now have (1-z)^3*f'(z)-3(1-z)^2*f(z) = 0.

The Attempt at a Solution



I integrated both sides as I thought you would do after making the LHS a derivative and you can solve it, but that doesn't tell me that it is unique or not... although it has been a long time since I've done existence/uniqueness so maybe that is all I have to do. I also tried looking at it as f'(z)=3/(1-z)*f(z) and I figured it had something to do with the analyticity of 3/(1-z), but I could never get anywhere with that idea.

It was just an extra credit problem on the last homework so we haven't gone into ODE's in the complex plane, but with Spring Break this week, won't get to see the solution for awhile so was just curious if anyone knew how to prove it, or could tell me if I was using the hint correctly.
 
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hidochalladay32! :smile:

(try using the X2 button just above the Reply box :wink:)

(1-z)*f'(z) - 3*f(z) = 0

(1-z)3*f'(z) - 3(1-z)2*f(z) = 0​

if the second equation is true, then either the first equation is true or z = 1 :wink:
 
Well yes, that is true, but what I'm not able to figure out is how to show uniqueness, whether with the original equation or the new one.
 
well, the new equation is the same as

d/dt (1-z)3*f(z) = 0 …​

surely that means (1-z)3*f(z) is a constant, and sooo … ? :smile:
 
God... I feel stupid hahaha. I completely missed that when I wrote that down before.
 

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