Unraveling the Equivalence: Chain Rule and Cauchy-Riemann Equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the chain rule and the Cauchy-Riemann equations in the context of complex functions expressed in polar coordinates. The original poster attempts to demonstrate the equivalence of certain partial derivatives to the Cauchy-Riemann equations using the chain rule.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the chain rule to functions of several variables, questioning how to differentiate variables like r and theta with respect to x. There are attempts to express derivatives and concerns about the correctness of the initial approach.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance on the proper application of the chain rule, while others express confusion regarding the differentiation process. Multiple interpretations of the derivatives are being explored, and there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the relationships between the variables and the application of the chain rule, as well as the implications of substituting values for x and y in the context of the problem.

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Homework Statement


f(z)=u(r,theta)+iy(r,theta)... where x=rcos(theta) and y=rsin(theta), use chain rule to show that \partialu/\partialr=1/r(\partialv/\partial\theta) and \partialv/\partialr=-1/r(\partialu/\partial\theta) are equivalent to the cauchy riemann equations.


Homework Equations


CR equations: \partialu/\partialx=\partialv/\partialy and \partialu/\partialy=-\partialv/\partialx


The Attempt at a Solution


Ok the I am unsure by how i am meant to use the chain rule here? and instead of typing out the dirvative I am goin to just write i.e d/dx..

i did, dz/dr=dz/dx*dx/dr=1(cos(theta) and dz/dtheta=dz/dy*dy/dtheta=rcos(theta)... but that doesn't make sense... its the same as the provided equations without the 1/r.. but if i do the CR equations i get, du/dx=1 and du/dy=0?
 
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Your use of the chain rule is incorrect here.

Since we're talking about functions of several variables, the chain rule must consider all the possible derivatives. So for example:

\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\frac{\partial r}{\partial x}\frac{\partial u}{\partial r}+\frac{\partial \theta}{\partial x}\frac{\partial u}{\partial \theta}
 
ok then, but can i ask how do u do dr/dx and dtheta/dx? since r and theta are part of x?
 
do i rearrange?? coz r=x/cos(theta)?? then diffrentiate with respect to x?
 
ok so if i do the chain rule that elib gave... i get (1/cos(theta))*cos(theta)+-1/(r*sqrt(1-x^2/r^2)*-rsin(theta)... but when i do dv/dy i kind of get similar answer, but instead of the x^2 its y^2, and the last term is cos(theta) and not sin(theta)
 
ok for the x^2 and y^2 values, i subbed in there respecful values x=rcos(theta) y=rsin(theta) then i get...
1+(sin(\theta)/sqrt(1-cos^2(\theta)/r^2))=1+(cos(\theta)/sqrt(1-sin^2(\theta)/r^2)), which clearly does no equal?
 

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