Two questions, one on harmonic functions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating two questions related to harmonic functions and their differentiability. Participants explore the use of Cauchy-Riemann equations, branch cuts for logarithmic functions, and the properties of harmonic functions in complex analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on whether to use Cauchy-Riemann equations for differentiability and how to convert to Cartesian coordinates.
  • Another participant suggests choosing a suitable branch cut for the function \( f(z) = \log(z^2) \) to determine its domain of differentiability.
  • A later reply provides Cauchy-Riemann equations in polar coordinates and discusses the conditions under which they are satisfied, noting an exception at \( r = 0 \).
  • Discussion includes the definition of harmonic functions and the conditions under which a function is considered harmonic, referencing the existence of a harmonic conjugate.
  • Participants mention the Cauchy Integral Formula and its implications for harmonic functions in simply connected domains.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the application of Cauchy-Riemann equations and the choice of branch cuts, indicating that multiple approaches and interpretations are present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the continuity of second derivatives for harmonic functions and the specific conditions under which the Cauchy Integral Formula applies.

nacho-man
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Could I get some hints on how to evaluate these question.
The question asking to find where $f(re^{i\theta})$ is differentiable doesn't seem to involved,
however would I use C-R equations, or would it just be for wherever $r \neq 0$. Although that is given in the domain, so I'm assuming they want us to use C-R equations.
If i were to use C-R equations, then I would have to convert to cartesian coordinates, correct?
How would I do that.As for the second question,
could I get any hints on what theorems may be relevant. I am not sure how to approach this.

Thanks
 

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In the first question you are asked to find the domain of differentiability of the function

$$f(z)=\log(z^2) $$

Hint : choose a suitable branch cut .
 
nacho said:
Could I get some hints on how to evaluate these question.
The question asking to find where $f(re^{i\theta})$ is differentiable doesn't seem to involved,
however would I use C-R equations, or would it just be for wherever $r \neq 0$. Although that is given in the domain, so I'm assuming they want us to use C-R equations.
If i were to use C-R equations, then I would have to convert to cartesian coordinates, correct?
How would I do that.As for the second question,
could I get any hints on what theorems may be relevant. I am not sure how to approach this.

Thanks

Question 1: with a little of patience You can derive the C-R equations in polar coordinates...

$\displaystyle \frac{\partial{u}}{\partial{r}} = \frac{1}{r}\ \frac {\partial {v}}{\partial{\theta}} $

$\displaystyle \frac{\partial{v}}{\partial{r}} = - \frac{1}{r}\ \frac {\partial {u}}{\partial{\theta}} \ (1)$

Here $\displaystyle u(r, \theta) = \ln r^{2}$ and $v(r, \theta) = 2\ \theta$, so that is...

$\displaystyle \frac{\partial{u}}{\partial{r}} = \frac{2}{r},\ \frac{\partial{u}}{\partial{\theta}} = 0,\ \frac{\partial{v}}{\partial{r}} = 0,\ \frac{\partial{v}}{\partial{\theta}} = 2$ so that the (1) are satisfied everywhere with the only exception of the point r = 0... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
nacho said:
Could I get some hints on how to evaluate these question.
The question asking to find where $f(re^{i\theta})$ is differentiable doesn't seem to involved,
however would I use C-R equations, or would it just be for wherever $r \neq 0$. Although that is given in the domain, so I'm assuming they want us to use C-R equations.
If i were to use C-R equations, then I would have to convert to cartesian coordinates, correct?
How would I do that.As for the second question,
could I get any hints on what theorems may be relevant. I am not sure how to approach this.

Thanks

Question 2: a function u(x,y) is said to be harmonic if its second derivatives are continuous and is...

$\displaystyle u_{xx} = - u_{yy}\ (1)$

An important theorem extablishes that if u is harmonic in a simply connected domain G, then it exist a function v(x,y) so that f(x + i y) = u(x,y) + i v(x,y) is analytic in G [v is said to be the harmonic coniugate of u...].

If we suppose that G is a disk centered in w with radious r and call $\gamma$ its contour, the the Cauchy Integral Formula extablishes that...

$\displaystyle f(w) = \frac{1}{2\ \pi\ i}\ \int_{\gamma} \frac{f (z)}{z - w}\ d z\ (2)$

With the substitution $z - w = r\ e^{i\ \theta}$ the (2) becomes... $\displaystyle f(w) = \frac{1}{2\ \pi}\ \int_{0}^{2\ \pi} f(w + r\ e^{i\ \theta})\ d \theta\ (3)$

... and, taking the real part of f we have...

$\displaystyle u(w) = \frac{1}{2\ \pi}\ \int_{0}^{2\ \pi} u (w + r\ e^{i\ \theta})\ d \theta\ (4)$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

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