Acknowledgments

Prepared by MARY ELIZABETH SOLAS (M AT H116 − ComplexAnalysis)

COMPLEX EXPONENTS

When z 6= 0 and the exponent c is any complex number, the function z c is defined by

means of the equation

∗ z c = eclogz = exp [clog (z)],

where logz denotes the multiple-valued logarithmic function. The principal value of

z c when logz is replaced by Logz in Definition (∗):

∗∗ Principal Value z c = eclogz = exp [cLog (z)].

equation (∗) also serves to define the principal branch of the function z c on the domain

|z| > 0, −π < Argz ≤ π.

If c and d are complex numbers and z 6= 0, then

(i) z −c = 1
zc
;

(ii) z c z d = z c+d ;

zc
(iii) zd
= z c−d ;

(iv) (z c )n = z cn ,

i
where n is an integer.

Identity (iv) does not hold if n is replaced with an arbitrary complex value.

Recall from Logarithmic Functions: logz = ln |z| + iargz

Principal Value (P.V): logz = ln |z| + Θ

Example 0.0.1. (1 + i)2i ) = e2ilog(1+i)

= exp [2ilog(1 + i)]

 √ π



= exp 2i ln 2 + i 4
+ 2nπ ;

√ π


Recall from Logarithmic Functions: log(1+i) = ln 2+i 4
+ 2nπ ; n = 0, ±1, ±2, ...,

√
= exp 2i ln 2 + π4 i + 2nπi



 √
= exp 2ln 2i + 2 π4 i2 + 4nπi2


 √ π

= exp 2ln 2i − 2
− 4nπ

√ 
= exp − π2 − 4nπ + 2ln 2i ; n = 0, ±1, ±2, ...,


Principal Value (P.V.)

Example 0.0.2. (1 + i)2i ) = e2iLog(1+i)

= exp [2iLog(1 + i)]

√ √
= exp 2i ln 2 + π4 i ; Log(1 + i) = ln 2 + π4 i



ii
 √
= exp 2ln 2i + 2 π4 i2

√
= exp 2ln 2i − π2

Example 0.0.3. (−1 + i)−2i ) = e−2ilog(−i+1)

= exp [−2ilog(−i + 1)]

 √ 3π



= exp −2i ln 2 + i 4
+ 2nπ ;

√ 3π


Recall from Logarithmic Functions: log(−1+i) = ln 2+i 4
+ 2nπ ; n = 0, ±1, ±2, ...,

 √ 3π


= exp −2i ln 2 + 4
i + 2nπi

 √ 6π 2

= exp −2ln 2i − 4
i − 4nπi2

 √ 3π

= exp −2ln 2i + 2
+ 4nπ

 3π √ 
= exp 2
+ 4nπ − 2ln 2i ; n = 0, ±1, ±2, ...,

Principal Value (P.V.)

Example 0.0.4. (−1 + i)−2i = e−2iLog(−1+i)

= exp [−2iLog(−1 + i)]

 √ 3π

 √ 3π
= exp −2i ln 2 + 4
i ; Log(−1 + i) = ln 2 + 4
i

√
= exp −2ln 2i − 6 π4 i2

√ 3π


= exp −2ln 2i + 2

3π
√

= exp 2
− 2ln 2i

iii