18.

04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions

Problem 1. Complex arithmetic

�+2
(a) Find the real and imaginary part of .
�−1
(b) Solve �4 − � = 0.
√√
(c) Find all possible values of �.
(d) Express cos(4�) in terms of cos(�) and sin(�).
(e) When does equality hold in the triangle inequality |�1 + �2 | ≤ |�1 | + |�2 |?
(f) Draw a picture illustrating the polar coordinates of � and 1∕�.
� + 2 + �� � − 1 − �� (� + 2)(� − 1) + �2 −3�
Answers. (a) ⋅ = +�
� − 1 + �� � − 1 − �� (� − 1) + �
2 2 (� − 1)2 + �2
(b) � = e�(�∕2+2��) . So � = �1∕4 = e�(�∕8+��∕2) = ±1e��∕8 , ±�e��∕8 .
(c) Same answer as part (b).
(d) Euler:

cos(4�) + � sin(4�) = e�4� = (cos(�) + � sin(�))4

= cos4 (�) − 6 cos2 (�) sin2 (�) + sin4 (�) + �(4 cos3 (�) sin(�) − 4 cos(�) sin3 (�)).

Therefore, cos(4�) = cos4 (�) − 6 cos2 (�) sin2 (�) + sin4 (�).
(e) When �1 and �2 have the same argument, i.e. are on the same ray from the origin.
(f)
Im(z)
z1 = r1 eiθ1

r1

θ1
Re(z)
−θ1 1
1/r1
1 1 −iθ1
z1 = r1 e

Problem 2. Functions
(a) Show that sinh(�) = −� sin(��).
e�⋅�� − e−�⋅�� e−� − e�
Solution: −� sin(��) = −� =− = sinh(�). QED
2� 2
(b) Give the real and imaginary part of cos(�) in terms of � and � using regular and hyperbolic sin
and cos.

1
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 2

Solution: We calculate this using exponentials.

e�� + e−�� e−�+�� + e�−��
cos(�) = =
2 2
e−� e�� + e� e−��
=
2
e−� (cos(�) + � sin(�)) + e� (cos(�) − � sin(�))
=
2
e−� + e� e−� − e�
= cos(�) + � sin(�)
2 2
= cos(�) cosh(�) − � sin(�) sinh(�)

Alternatively using the cosine addition formula:

cos(�) = cos(� + ��) = cos(�) cos(��) − sin(�) sin(��) = cos(�) cosh(�) − � sin(�) sinh(�).

(c) Is it true that |�� | = |�||�| ?

Solution: No: here’s a counterexample: |e� | = 1, but |�||�| = e1 = e.

Problem 3. Mappings
(a) Show that the function � (�) = �−�
�+�
maps the upper half plane to the unit disk.
(i) Show it maps the real axis to the unit circle.
(ii) Show it maps � to 0.
(iii) Conclude that the upper half plane is mapped to the unit disk.
Solution: (i) If � is real then � − � = � + �, so numerator and denominator have the same norm, i.e.
the fraction has norm 1. QED
(ii) Clearly � (�) = 0.
(iii) The boundary of the half plane is mapped to the boundary of the disk and a point in the interior
of the half plane is mapped to the interior of the disk. This is enough to conclude that the image of
the half plane is inside the disk.
1+�
Since it’s easy to invert � = � (�): � = � . It is easy to see that the map is in fact one-to-one and
1−�
onto the disk.
�+2
(b) Show that the function � (�) = maps the unit circle to the line � = −1∕2.
�−1
Solution: We will learn good ways to manipulate expressions like this later in the course. Here we
can do a direct calculation. Let � = e�� = cos(�) + � sin(�) be a point on the unit circle. Then
cos(�) + 2 + � sin(�) cos(�) − 1 − � sin(�)
� (�) = ⋅
cos(�) − 1 + � sin(�) cos(�) − 1 − � sin(�)
(cos(�) + 2)(cos(�) − 1) + sin2 (�) + �()
=
(cos(�) − 1)2 + sin2 (�)
−1 + cos(�) + �(⋯)
=
2 − 2 cos(�)
1 (⋯)
=− +�
2 2 − 2 cos(�)
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 3

Here we left the imaginary part uncomputed because the question is to show that the real part is
−1∕2. Which we did!

Problem 4. Analytic functions

(a) Show that � (�) = e� is analytic using the Cauchy Riemann equations.
Solution: e� = e� cos(�) + �e� sin(�). Call the real and imaginary parts � and � respectively. Putting
the partials in a matrix we have
( ) ( � )
�� �� e cos(�) −e� sin(�)
= .
�� �� e� sin(�) e� cos(�)

We see that �� = �� and �� = −�� . Thus we have verified the Cauchy Riemann equations. So, � (�)
is analytic.
(b) Show that � (�) = � is not analytic.
Solution: � (�) = � − �� = � + ��, where � = � and � = −�. Taking partials
( ) ( )
�� �� 1 0
= .
�� �� 0 −1

We see that �� ≠ �� . So the Cauchy Riemann equations are not satisfied and so, � (�) is not analytic.
(c) Give a region in the �-plane for which � = �3 is a one-to-one map onto the entire �-plane.
Solution: Since �3 triples arguments, we divide the plane into thirds and pick one third. We’ve
chosen the shaded region in the figure below.
Im(z)

2π/3
Re(z)

The region includes the the positive �-axis but not the dashed line.
(d) Choose a branch of �1∕3 and a region of the �-plane where this branch is analytic. Do this so
that the image under �1∕3 is contained in your region from part (c).
Solution: We choose the branch of arg with 0 < arg(�) < 2�. So, the plane has a branch cut along
the nonnegative real axis. Under � = �1∕3 the image points all have 0 < arg(�) < 2�∕3, as required
by the problem.
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 4

Im(z)

Re(z)

Problem 5. Line integrals

(a) Compute � ��, where � is the unit square.
∫�
Solution: First note that as a function � means Re(�). We do the integral for each of the four sides
separately.
Im(z)
γ3
i

γ4 γ2

Re(z)
γ1 1
1
�1 : �1 (�) = �, with 0 ≤ � ≤ 1. So, � �� = � �� = 1∕2.
∫�1 ∫0
1
�2 : �2 (�) = 1 + ��, with 0 ≤ � ≤ 1. So, � �� = 1 � �� = �.
∫�2 ∫0
1
�3 : �3 (�) = 1 − � + �, with 0 ≤ � ≤ 1. So, � �� = (1 − �) (−��) = −1∕2.
∫�3 ∫0
1
�4 : �3 (�) = (1 − �)�, with 0 ≤ � ≤ 1. So, � �� = 0 (−��) = 0.
∫�4 ∫0
Addding the together: the integral over the square is �.
1
(b) Compute ��, where � is the unit circle.
∫� |�|
Solution: Parametrize the circle, as usual, by �(�) = e�� . Since |�(�)| = 1 the integral is
2�
1
�� = �e�� �� = 0.
∫� |�| ∫0

(c) Compute � cos(�2 ) ��, where � is the unit circle.

∫�
Solution: Since � cos(�2 ) is entire, it is analytic on and inside the closed curve �. Therefore by
Cauchy’s theorem, the integral is 0.
(d) Draw the region � − {� + � sin(�) for � ≥ 0}. Is this region simply connected? Could you define
a branch of log on this region?
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 5

Solution: Yes, the region is simply connected. Yes, you can define a branch of log on this region: To
define a branch of log you have to have a region where the argument is well defined and continuous.
You can do this as long as the cut blocks any path that circles the origin. The figure below illustrates
values of arg(�) at a few points in the region.
Im(z) arg ≈ 0 arg ≈ 0.16
i

Re(z)
2π

arg ≈ −0.21
arg ≈ 2π

�2
(e) Compute ∫� �4 −1
over the circle of radius 3 with center 0.
Solution: The fourth roots of 1 are ±1, ±�. Thus,

�2 �2
� (�) = = .
�4 − 1 (� − 1)(� + 1)(� − �)(� + �)
Since the curve contains all four roots we need to write it as four loops each containing just one of
the roots. Then we use Cauchy’s formula to compute the integral over each loop.
�2
Loop around 1: Let �(�) = . The integral of � over this loop equals 2���(1) =
(� + 1)(� − �)(� + �)
��∕2.
Loop around -1: The integral of � over this loop is −��∕2.
Loop around i: The integral of � over this loop is �∕2.
Loop around -i: The integral of � over this loop is −�∕2.
Summing all 4 contributions we get 0.
e�
(f) Does �� = 0?. Here � is a simple closed curve.
∫� �2
Solution: Not always. We know � (�) = e� is entire. So, if � goes around 0 then, by Cauchy’s
formula for derivatives
� (�)
�� = 2��� ′ (0) = 2��.
∫ �2
If � does not go around 0 then the integral is 0.
∞
1
(g) Compute ��.
∫−∞ �4 + 16
Solution: Let � (�) = 1∕(�4 + 16) and let � be the integral we want to compute. The trick is to
integrate � over the closed contour �1 + �� shown, and then show that the contribution of �� to
this integral vanishes as � goes to ∞.
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 6

Im(z)

CR CR
√ √ √ √
− 2+i 2 2+i 2

Re(z)
−R C1 R
√ √
The 4 singularities of � (�) are 2e�(�∕4+��∕2) = ± 2 ± � 2. The ones inside the contour are 2e��∕4 =
√ √ √ √
2 + � 2, 2e3��∕4 = − 2 + � 2. As usual we break �1 + �� into two loops, one surrounding each
singularity and use Cauchy’s formula to compute the integral over each loop separately. Factoring,
we have
1 1
� (�) = = √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ .
�4
+ 16 (� − ( 2 + � 2))(� − ( 2 − � 2))(� − (− 2 + � 2))(� − (− 2 − � 2))
√ √ 1
Loop around 2 + � 2: Let �1 (�) = √ √ √ √ √ √ . By Cauchy’s integral
√
(�−( 2−� 2))(�−(− 2+� 2))(�−(− 2−� 2))
√ √ 2�(1 − �)
formula the integral is 2���1 ( 2 + � 2) = .
32
√
2�(1 + �)
Loop around −1 + �: the integral is .
32
√
Summing, the integral around �1 + �� is 2�∕16.
Now we’ll look at �1 and �� separately:
Parametrize �1 by �(�) = �, with −� ≤ � ≤ �. So
�
1
� (�) �� = ��.
∫�1 ∫−� �4 + 16

This goes to the � as � → ∞.

We parametrize �� by �(�) = �e�� , with 0 ≤ � ≤ �. So
�
1
� (�) �� = ��e�� ��∕
∫�� ∫0 �4 e4�� + 16

By the triangle inequality, if � > 1

| | �
� ��
| |
| � (�) ��| ≤ �� = 4
|∫� | ∫0 �4 − 16 � − 16
| � |
Clearly this goes to 0 as � goes to infinity.

√ over the contour �1 + �� goes to√� as � gets large. But this integral always has
Thus, the integral
the same value 2�∕16. We have shown that � = 2�∕16.
As a sanity check, we note that our answer is real and positive as it needs to be.
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 7

Problem 6.
Suppose � (�) is entire and |� (�)| > 1 for all �. Show that � is a constant.
Answer. Since |� (�)| > 1 we know � is never 0. Therefore 1∕� (�) is entire and |1∕� (�)| < 1.
Being entire and bounded it is constant by Liouville’s theorem.

Problem 7.
Suppose � (�) is analytic and |� | is constant on the disk |� − �0 | ≤ �. Show that � is constant on the
disk.
Answer. This follows from the maximum modulus principle. Since |� | is constant on the disk, its
maximum modulus does not occur only on the boundary. Therefore it must be constant.

Extra problems from pset 4

Problem 8. (a) Let � (�) = ecos(�) �2 . Let � be the disk |� − 5| ≤ 2. Show that � (�) attains both its
maximum and minimum modulus in � on the circle |� − 5| = 2.
Hint: Consider 1∕� (�).
Solution: Since � (�) is analytic on and inside the disk, the maximum modulus principle tells us it
attains its maximum modulus on the boundary.
Since e� is never 0 and �2 is not zero anywhere in � we know that 1∕� (�) is analytic on and inside
the disk. Therefore it attains its maximum modulus on the boundary. But the point where 1∕|� (�)|
is maximized is the point where |� (�)| is minimized.
(b) Suppose � (�) is entire. Show that if � (4) (�) is bounded in the whole plane then � (�) is a polyno-
mial of degree at most 4.
Solution: By the maximum modulus principle � (4) (�) is a constant. Integrating a constant 4 times
leads to a polynomial of degree a most 4.
(c) The function � (�) = 1∕�2 goes to 0 as � → ∞, but it is not constant. Does this contradict
Liouville’s theorem?
Solution: No, Liouville’s theorem requires the function be entire. � (�) has a singularity at the origin,
so it is not entire.

Problem�9.
Show ecos � cos(sin(�)) �� = �. Hint, consider e� ∕� over the unit circle.
∫0
Solution: (Follow the hint.) Parametrize the unit circle as �(�) = e�� , with 0 ≤ � ≤ 2�. So,

e� e����+� sin � ��
2� 2�
�� = �e �� = � e����+� sin ��
∫� � ∫0 e�� ∫0
2� 2�
=� ecos � (cos(sin �) + � sin(sin �)) �� = ecos � (� cos(sin �) − sin(sin �)) ��.
∫0 ∫0

This is close to what we want. Let’s use Cauchy’s integral formula to evaluate it and then extract the
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 8

value we need. By Cauchy the integral is 2��e0 = 2��. So,

2�
ecos � (� cos(sin �) − sin(sin �)) �� = 2��.
∫0

Taking the imaginary part we have

2�
ecos � cos(sin �) �� = 2�.
∫0

This integral is 2�, while our integral is supposed to be �. But, by symmetry ours is half the above.
(It might be easier to see this if you use the limits [−�, �] instead of [0, 2�].)
So, we have shown that the integral is �.

Problem 10.
(a) Suppose � (�) is analytic on a simply connected region � and � is a simple closed curve in �..
Fix �0 in �, but not on �. Use the Cauchy integral formulas to show that

� ′ (�) � (�)
�� = ��.
∫� � − � 0 ∫� (� − �0 )2

Since � is simply connected we know � and � ′ are analytic on and inside �. Therefore we can use
Cauchy’s formulas.

� ′ (�)
�� = 2��� ′ (�0 ) (by Cauchy’s integral formula.)
∫� � − �0
� (�)
��. = 2��� ′ (�0 ) (by Cauchy’s formula for derivatives.)
∫� (� − �0 )2

These are the same, so we are done.

(b) Challenge: Redo part (a), but drop the assumption that � is simply connected.
� (�) � ′ (�) � (�)
Let �(�) = �−� . � is analytic on a neighborhood of �. Note: � ′ (�) = − . So,
0 � − �0 (� − �0 )2

� ′ (�) � (�)
�� − �� = � ′ (�) �� = 0.
∫� � − �0 ∫� (� − �0 )2 ∫�

It equals 0 because the integral of a derivative around a closed curve is 0. So, the two integrals on
the left side are equal.

Problem 11.
cos(�)
(a) Compute ��, where � is the unit circle.
∫� �
Solution: 2�� cos(0) = 2��.
sin(�)
(b) Compute ��, where � is the unit circle.
∫� �
18.04 Practice problems exam 1, Spring 2018 Solutions 9

Solution: 2�� sin(0) = 0.

�2
(c) Compute ��, where � is the circle |�| = 2.
∫� � − 1
Solution: 2���2 |�=1 = 2��.
e�
(d) Compute ��, where � is the circle |�| = 1.
∫� �2
�|
Solution: 2�� �e |
�� |�=0
= 2��.
�2 − 1
(e) Compute ��, where � is the circle |�| = 2.
∫� �2 + 1
Solution: Singularities are at ±�.

−2 −2
Integral = 2�� + 2�� = 0.
2� −2�

1
(f) Compute �� where � is the circle |�| = 2.
∫� �2 + � + 1
Solution: There are two roots. Splitting the contour as we’ve done several times leads to a total
integral of 0.

Problem 12.
� (�)
Suppose � (�) is entire and lim = 0. Show that � (�) is constant.
�→∞ �
You may use Morera’s theorem: if �(�) is analytic on � − {�0 } and continuous on �, then � is
analytic on �.
� (�) − � (0)
Solution: Let �(�) = . Since �(�) is analytic on � − {0} and continuous on � it is
�
analytic on all of �, by Morera’s theorem
We claim �(�) ≡ 0.
Suppose not, then we can pick a point �0 with �(�0 ) ≠ 0. Since �(�) goes to 0 as |�| gets large we can
pick � large enough that |�(�)| < |�(�0 )| for all |�| = �. But this violates the maximum modulus
theorem, which says that the maximum modulus of �(�) on the disk |�| ≤ � occurs on the circle
|�| = �. This disaster means our assumption that �(�) ≠ 0 was wrong. We conclude �(�) ≡ 0 as
claimed.
This means that � (�) = � (�0 ) for all �, i.e. � (�) is constant.
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18.04 Complex Variables with Applications

Spring 2018

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