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Chapter2 17

This document defines limits involving the point at infinity in complex analysis. It introduces the symbol ∞ to represent the point at infinity on the Riemann sphere, which is a one-to-one mapping of the complex plane and point at infinity. Limits of functions as z approaches infinity are defined. Theorems are provided relating limits of functions at infinity to limits of reciprocal functions at infinity or zero. Examples calculate several limits at infinity, applying the theorems and definitions provided.

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23 views4 pages

Chapter2 17

This document defines limits involving the point at infinity in complex analysis. It introduces the symbol ∞ to represent the point at infinity on the Riemann sphere, which is a one-to-one mapping of the complex plane and point at infinity. Limits of functions as z approaches infinity are defined. Theorems are provided relating limits of functions at infinity to limits of reciprocal functions at infinity or zero. Examples calculate several limits at infinity, applying the theorems and definitions provided.

Uploaded by

myerragu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Section 2.17.

Limits Involving the Point at Infinity 1

Section 2.17. Limits Involving the Point at Infinity

Note. In this section, we introduce the symbol ∞ and rigorously define limits of
f (z) as z approaches ∞ and limits of f (z) which are ∞.

Note. Brown and Churchill introduce a sphere of radius 1 centered at the origin
of the complex plane. They define the point N as the point on the sphere farthest
from the plane and “above” the plane (corresponding, in a sense, to the “north
pole” of the sphere). They then map each point P on the sphere (other than N )
onto the plane by projecting the point P onto the plane with a straight line through
P and N . This is called the stereographic projection and the sphere is called the
Riemann sphere. The point N itself is then associated with the symbol ∞. In this
way, we have a one to one and onto mapping (i.e., a bijection) from the Riemann
sphere to C ∪ {∞} (which is called the extended complex plane).
Section 2.17. Limits Involving the Point at Infinity 2

Note. In Introduction to Topology (MATH 4357/5357), you will encounter the


extended complex plane as a “one-point compactification” of the complex plane;
see my online notes for Introduction to Topology at 29. Local Compactness (see
Example 4). We also address the extended complex plane as a metric space in our
graduate-level Complex Analysis 1 class (MATH 5510); see my notes for this class
at I.6. The Extended Plane and its Spherical Representation.

Definition. In the extended complex plane, an ε-neighborhood of ∞ is the set


{z ∈ C | 1/|z| < ε}. An open set containing an ε-neighborhood of ∞ for some
ε > 0 is a neighborhood of ∞.

Definition. Let f be a function defined and nonzero at all points z of some


neighborhood of ∞. If there is w0 ∈ C such that for all ε > 0 there exists δ > 0
such that
1/|z| < δ implies |f (z) − w0 | < ε,

then the limit as z approaches ∞ of f is w0 , denoted limz→∞ f (z) = w0 .

Definition. Let f by a function defined and nonzero at all points z in some deleted
neighborhood of z0 . If for all ε > 0 there exists δ > 0 such that

0 < |z − z0 | < δ implies 1/|f (z)| < ε,

then the limit of f as z approaches z0 is ∞ , denoted limz→z0 f (z) = ∞.


Section 2.17. Limits Involving the Point at Infinity 3

Definition. Let f be a function defined and nonzero at all points z of some


neighborhood of ∞. If for all ε > 0 there exists δ > 0 such that

1/|z| < δ implies 1/|f (z)| < ε

then the limit as z approaches ∞ of f is ∞, denoted limz→∞ f (z) = ∞.

Theorem 2.17.1. If z0 , w0 ∈ C then

lim f (z) = ∞ if and only if lim 1/f (z) = 0


z→z0 z→z0

lim f (z) = w0 if and only if lim f (1/z) = w0 , and


z→∞ z→0

lim f (z) = ∞ if and only if lim 1/f (1/z) = 0.


z→∞ z→0

Example 2.17.A. We now establish the following limits.


iz + 3
(a) lim = ∞.
z→−1 z + 1
iz + 3
Solution. We let f (z) = and consider
z+1
1 z+1 (−1) + 1 0
lim = lim = = =0
z→−1 f (z) z→−1 iz + 3 i(−1) + 3 3 − i

where we have evaluated the limit using Corollary 2.16.B. So by Theorem 2.17.1
iz + 3
(1st claim), lim f (z) = lim = ∞. 
z→−1 z→−1 z + 1
2z + i
(b) lim = 2.
z→∞ z + 1
2z + i
Solution. We let f (z) = and consider
z+1
2(1/z) + 1 2(1/z) + 1 z 2 + iz 2 + i(0) 2
lim f (1/z) = lim = lim = lim = = =2
z→0 z→0 (1/z) + 1 z→0 (1/z) + 1 z z→0 1 + z 1 + (0) 1
Section 2.17. Limits Involving the Point at Infinity 4

where we have evaluated the limit using Corollary 2.16.B. So by Theorem 2.17.1
2z + i
(2nd claim), lim f (z) = lim = 2. 
z→∞ z→∞ z + 1
2z 3 − 1
(c) lim 2 = ∞.
z→∞ z + 1
2z 3 − 1
Solution. We let f (z) = 2 and consider
z +1
1 (1/z)2 + 1 (1/z)2 + 1 z 3 z + z3
lim = lim = lim = lim
z→0 f (1/z) z→0 2(1/z)3 − 1 z→0 2(1/z)3 − 1 z 3 z→0 2 − z 3

(0) + (0)3 0
= lim = =0
z→0 2 − (0)3 2
where we have evaluated the limit using Corollary 2.16.B. So by Theorem 2.17.1
(3rd claim), lim f (z) = ∞. 
z→∞

Revised: 2/20/2020

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