Part IB — Complex Analysis

Theorems with proof

Based on lectures by I. Smith

Notes taken by Dexter Chua

Lent 2016

These notes are not endorsed by the lecturers, and I have modified them (often
significantly) after lectures. They are nowhere near accurate representations of what
was actually lectured, and in particular, all errors are almost surely mine.

Analytic functions
Complex differentiation and the Cauchy–Riemann equations. Examples. Conformal
mappings. Informal discussion of branch points, examples of log z and z c . [3]

Contour integration and Cauchy’s theorem

Contour integration (for piecewise continuously differentiable curves). Statement and
proof of Cauchy’s theorem for star domains. Cauchy’s integral formula, maximum
modulus theorem, Liouville’s theorem, fundamental theorem of algebra. Morera’s
theorem. [5]

Expansions and singularities

Uniform convergence of analytic functions; local uniform convergence. Differentiability
of a power series. Taylor and Laurent expansions. Principle of isolated zeros. Residue
at an isolated singularity. Classification of isolated singularities. [4]

The residue theorem

Winding numbers. Residue theorem. Jordan’s lemma. Evaluation of definite integrals
by contour integration. Rouché’s theorem, principle of the argument. Open mapping
theorem. [4]

1
Contents IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Contents
0 Introduction 3

1 Complex differentiation 4
1.1 Differentiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 Conformal mappings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 Power series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 Logarithm and branch cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 Contour integration 7
2.1 Basic properties of complex integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Cauchy’s theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 The Cauchy integral formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4 Taylor’s theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.5 Zeroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.6 Singularities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.7 Laurent series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3 Residue calculus 21
3.1 Winding numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2 Homotopy of closed curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3 Cauchy’s residue theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.5 Applications of the residue theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.6 Rouchés theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

2
0 Introduction IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

0 Introduction

3
1 Complex differentiation IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

1 Complex differentiation
1.1 Differentiation
Proposition. Let f be defined on an open set U ⊆ C. Let w = c + id ∈ U and
write f = u + iv. Then f is complex differentiable at w if and only if u and v,
viewed as a real function of two real variables, are differentiable at (c, d), and
ux = vy ,
uy = −vx .
These equations are the Cauchy–Riemann equations. In this case, we have
f 0 (w) = ux (c, d) + ivx (c, d) = vy (c, d) − iuy (c, d).
Proof. By definition, f is differentiable at w with f 0 (w) = p + iq if and only if
f (z) − f (w) − (p + iq)(z − w)
lim = 0. (†)
z→w z−w
If z = x + iy, then
(p + iq)(z − w) = p(x − c) − q(y − d) + i(q(x − c) + p(y − d)).
So, breaking into real and imaginary parts, we know (†) holds if and only if
u(x, y) − u(c, d) − (p(x − c) − q(y − d))
lim p =0
(x,y)→(c,d) (x − c)2 + (y − d)2
and
v(x, y) − v(c, d) − (q(x − c) + p(y − d))
lim p = 0.
(x,y)→(c,d) (x − c)2 + (y − d)2
Comparing this to the definition of the differentiability of a real-valued function,
we see this holds exactly if u and v are differentiable at (c, d) with
Du|(c,d) = (p, −q), Dv|(c,d) = (q, p).

1.2 Conformal mappings

Theorem (Riemann mapping theorem). Let U ⊆ C be the bounded domain
enclosed by a simple closed curve, or more generally any simply connected domain
not equal to all of C. Then U is conformally equivalent to D = {z : |z| < 1} ⊆ C.

1.3 Power series

Proposition. The uniform limit of continuous functions is continuous.
Proposition (Weierstrass M-test). For a sequence of functions fn , if weP can
find (Mn ) ⊆ R>0 Psuch that |fn (x)| < Mn for all x in the domain, then Mn
converges implies fn (x) converges uniformly on the domain.
Proposition. Given any P constants {cn }n≥0 ⊆ C, there is a unique R ∈ [0, ∞]
∞
such that the series z 7→ n=0 cn (z − a)n converges absolutely if |z − a| < R
and diverges if |z − a| > R. Moreover, if 0 < r < R, then the series converges
uniformly on {z : |z − a| < r}. This R is known as the radius of convergence.

4
1 Complex differentiation IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Theorem. Let
∞
X
f (z) = cn (z − a)n
n=0

be a power series with radius of convergence R > 0. Then

(i) f is holomorphic on B(a; R) = {z : |z − a| < R}.

(ii) f 0 (z) = ncn (z − 1)n−1 , which also has radius of convergence R.
P

(iii) Therefore f is infinitely complex differentiable on B(a; R). Furthermore,

f (n) (a)
cn = .
n!

Proof. Without loss of generality, take a = 0. The third part obviously follows
from the previous two, and we will prove the first two parts simultaneously. We
would like to first prove that the derivative series has radius of convergence R,
so that we can freely happily manipulate it.
Certainly, we have |ncn | ≥ |cn |. So
P by comparison to the series for f , we can
see that the radius of convergence of ncn z n−1 is at most R. But if |z| < ρ < R,
then we can see
n−1
|ncn z n−1 | z
= n →0
|cn ρn−1 | ρ
cn ρn−1 , which converges, we see that the
P
as n → ∞. So by comparison to
n−1
P
radius of convergence of ncn z is at least ρ. So the radius of convergence
must be exactly R.
Now we want to show f really is differentiable with that derivative. Pick
z, w such that |z|, |w| ≤ ρ for some ρ < R as before.
Define a new function
∞
X n−1
X
ϕ(z, w) = cn z j wn−1−j .
n=1 j=0

Noting
n−1
X
cn z j wn−1−j ≤ n|cn |ρn ,
j=0

we know the series defining ϕ converges uniformly on {|z| ≤ ρ, |w| < ρ}, and
hence to a continuous limit.
If z 6= w, then using the formula for the (finite) geometric series, we know
∞
z n − wn
 
X f (z) − f (w)
ϕ(z, w) = cn = .
n=1
z−w z−w

On the other hand, if z = w, then

∞
X
ϕ(z, z) = cn nz n−1 .
n=1

5
1 Complex differentiation IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Since ϕ is continuous, we know

∞
f (z) − f (w) X
lim → cn nz n−1 .
w→z z−w n=1

So f 0 (z) = ϕ(z, z) as claimed. Then (iii) follows from (i) and (ii) directly.
Corollary. Given a power series
X
f (z) = cn (z − a)n
n≥0

with radius of convergence R > 0, and given 0 < ε < R, if f vanishes on B(a, ε),
then f vanishes identically.
Proof. If f vanishes on B(a, ε), then all its derivatives vanish, and hence the
coefficients all vanish. So it is identically zero.

1.4 Logarithm and branch cuts

Proposition. On {z ∈ C : z 6∈ R≤0 }, the principal branch log : U → C is
holomorphic function. Moreover,
d 1
log z = .
dz z
If |z| < 1, then
X zn z2 z3
log(1 + z) = (−1)n−1 =z− + − ··· .
n 2 3
n≥1

Proof. The logarithm is holomorphic since it is a local inverse to a holomorphic

d
function. Since elog z = z, the chain rule tells us dz (log z) = z1 .
To show that log(1 + z) is indeed given by the said power series, note that
the power series does have a radius of convergence 1 by, say, the ratio test. So
by the previous result, it has derivative
1
1 − z + z2 + · · · = .
1+z
Therefore, log(1 + z) and the claimed power series have equal derivative, and
hence coincide up to a constant. Since they agree at z = 0, they must in fact be
equal.

6
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

2 Contour integration
2.1 Basic properties of complex integration
Lemma. Suppose f : [a, b] → C is continuous (and hence integrable). Then
Z b
f (t) dt ≤ (b − a) sup |f (t)|
a t

with equality if and only if f is constant.

Proof. We let !
Z b
θ = arg f (t) dt ,
a

and
M = sup |f (t)|.
t

Then we have
Z b Z b
f (t) dt = e−iθ f (t) dt
a a
Z b
= Re(e−iθ f (t)) dt
a
≤ (b − a)M,

with equality if and only if |f (t)| = M and arg f (t) = θ for all t, i.e. f is
constant.
Theorem (Fundamental theorem of calculus). Let f : U → C be continuous
with antiderivative F . If γ : [a, b] → U is piecewise C 1 -smooth, then
Z
f (z) dz = F (γ(b)) − F (γ(a)).
γ

Proof. We have
Z Z b Z b
0
f (z) dz = f (γ(t))γ (t) dt = (F ◦ γ)0 (t) dt.
γ a a

Then the result follows from the usual fundamental theorem of calculus, applied
to the real and imaginary parts separately.

2.2 Cauchy’s theorem

Proposition. Let U ⊆ C be a domain (i.e. path-connected non-empty open
set), and f : U → C be continuous. Moreover, suppose
Z
f (z) dz = 0
γ

for any closed piecewise C 1 -smooth path γ in U . Then f has an antiderivative.

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2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Proof. Pick our favorite a0 ∈ U . For w ∈ U , we choose a path γw : [0, 1] → U

such that γw (0) = a0 and γw (1) = w.
We first go through some topological nonsense to show we can pick γw such
that this is piecewise C 1 . We already know a continuous path γ : [0, 1] → U
from a0 to w exists, by definition of path connectedness. Since U is open, for
all x in the image of γ, there is some ε(x) > 0 such that B(x, ε(x)) ⊆ U . Since
the image of γ is compact, it is covered by finitely many such balls. Then it is
trivial to pick a piecewise straight path living inside the union of these balls,
which is clearly piecewise smooth.

γ
a0 w
γw

We thus define Z
F (w) = f (z) dz.
γw

Note that this F (w) is independent of the choice of γw , by our hypothesis on f

— given another choice γ̃w , we can form the new path γw ∗ (−γ̃w ), namely the
path obtained by concatenating γw with −γ̃w .
γ̃w w

γw

a0

This is a closed piecewise C 1 -smooth curve. So

Z
f (z) dz = 0.
γw ∗(−γ̃w )

The left hand side is

Z Z Z Z
f (z) dz + f (z) dz = f (z) dz − f (z) dz.
γw −γ̃w γw γ̃w

So the two integrals agree.

Now we need to check that F is complex differentiable. Since U is open, we
can pick θ > 0 such that B(w; ε) ⊆ U . Let δh be the radial path in B(w, ε) from
W to w + h, with |h| < ε.
δh
w+h w

γw

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2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Now note that γw ∗ δh is a path from a0 to w + h. So

Z
F (w + h) = f (z) dz
γw ∗δh
Z
= F (w) + f (z) dz
δh
Z
= F (w) + hf (w) + (f (z) − f (w)) dz.
δh

Thus, we know

F (w + h) − F (w)
Z
1
− f (w) ≤ f (z) − f (w) dz
h |h| δh
1
≤ length(δh ) sup |f (z) − f (w)|
|h| δh

= sup |f (z) − f (w)|.

δh

Since f is continuous, as h → 0, we know f (z) − f (w) → 0. So F is differentiable

with derivative f .
Proposition. If U is a star domain, and f : U → C is continuous, and if
Z
f (z) dz = 0
∂T

for all triangles T ⊆ U , then f has an antiderivative on U .

Proof. As before, taking γw = [a0 , w] ⊆ U if U is star-shaped about a0 .

Theorem (Cauchy’s theorem for a triangle). Let U Rbe a domain, and let
f : U → C be holomorphic. If T ⊆ U is a triangle, then ∂T f (z) dz = 0.
Corollary (Convex Cauchy). If U is a convex or star-shaped domain, and
f : U → C is holomorphic, then for any closed piecewise C 1 paths γ ∈ U , we
must have Z
f (z) dz = 0.
γ

Proof of corollary. If f is holomorphic, then Cauchy’s theorem says the integral

over any triangle vanishes. If U is star shaped, our proposition says f has an
antiderivative. Then the fundamental theorem of calculus tells us the integral
around any closed path vanishes.
Proof of Cauchy’s theorem for a triangle. Fix a triangle T . Let
Z
η= f (z) dz , ` = length(∂T ).
∂T

The idea is to show to bound η by ε, for every ε > 0, and hence we must have
η = 0. To do so, we subdivide our triangles.
Before we start, it helps to motivate the idea of subdividing a bit. By
subdividing the triangle further and further, we are focusing on a smaller and

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2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

smaller region of the complex plane. This allows us to study how the integral
behaves locally. This is helpful since we are given that f is holomorphic, and
holomorphicity is a local property.
We start with T = T 0 :

We then add more lines to get Ta0 , Tb0 , Tc0 , Td0 (it doesn’t really matter which is
which).

We orient the middle triangle by the anti-clockwise direction. Then we have

Z X Z
f (z) dz = f (z) dz,
∂T 0
∂T 0 a,b,c,d ·
since each internal edge occurs twice, Rwith opposite orientation.
For this to be possible, if η = ∂T 0 f (z) dz , then there must be some
subscript in {a, b, c, d} such that
Z
η
f (z) dz ≥ .
∂T 0 4
·
We call this T· = T . Then we notice ∂T 1 has length
0 1

`
length(∂T 1 ) = .
2
Iterating this, we obtain triangles
T0 ⊇ T1 ⊇ T2 ⊇ ···
such that Z
η `
f (z) dz ≥ , length(∂T i ) = .
∂T i 4i 2i
Now we are given a nested sequence of closed sets.
T By IB Metric and Topological
Spaces (or IB Analysis II), there is some z0 ∈ i≥0 T i .
Now fix an ε > 0. Since f is holomorphic at z0 , we can find a δ > 0 such that
|f (w) − f (z0 ) − (w − z0 )f 0 (z0 )| ≤ ε|w − z0 |
whenever |w − z0 | < δ. Since the diameters of the triangles are shrinking each
time, we can pick an n such that T n ⊆ B(z0 , ε). We’re almost there. We just
need to do one last thing that is slightly sneaky. Note that
Z Z
1 dz = 0 = z dz,
∂T n ∂T n

10
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

since these functions certainly do have anti-derivatives on T n . Therefore, noting

that f (z0 ) and f 0 (z0 ) are just constants, we have
Z Z
f (z) dz = (f (z) − f (z0 ) − (z − z0 )f 0 (z0 )) dz
∂T n n
Z ∂T
≤ |f (z) − f (z0 ) − (z − z0 )f 0 (z0 )| dz
∂T n
≤ length(∂T n )ε sup |z − z0 |
z∈∂T n
n 2
≤ ε length(∂T ) ,

where the last line comes from the fact that z0 ∈ T n , and the distance between
any two points in the triangle cannot be greater than the perimeter of the
triangle. Substituting our formulas for these in, we have
η 1
n
≤ n `2 ε.
4 4
So
η ≤ `2 ε.
Since ` is fixed and ε was arbitrary, it follows that we must have η = 0.

2.3 The Cauchy integral formula

Theorem (Cauchy integral formula). Let U be a domain, and f : U → C be
holomorphic. Suppose there is some B(z0 ; r) ⊆ U for some z0 and r > 0. Then
for all z ∈ B(z0 ; r), we have
Z
1 f (w)
f (z) = dw.
2πi ∂B(z0 ;r) w − z

Proof. Since U is open, there is some δ > 0 such that B(z0 ; r + δ) ⊆ U . We

define g : B(z0 ; r + δ) → C by
(
f (w)−f (z)
w−z w 6= z
g(w) = 0
,
f (z) w=z

where we have fixed z ∈ B(z0 ; r) as in the statement of the theorem. Now

note that g is holomorphic as a function of w ∈ B(z0 , r + δ), except perhaps at
w = z. But since f is holomorphic, by definition g is continuous everywhere on
B(z0 , r + δ). So the previous result says
Z
g(w) dw = 0.
∂B(z0 ;r)

This is exactly saying that

Z Z
f (w) f (z)
dw = dw.
∂B(z0 ;r) w−z ∂B(z0 ;r) w−z

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2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

We now rewrite
∞
1 1 1 X (z − z0 )n
= ·  = .
w−z w − z0 1 − z−z0 n=0
(w − z0 )n+1
w−z0

Note that this sum converges uniformly on ∂B(z0 ; r) since

z − z0
<1
w − z0

for w on this circle.

By uniform convergence, we can exchange summation and integration. So
∞ Z
(z − z0 )n
Z
f (w) X
dw = f (z) dw.
∂B(z0 ;r) w−z n=0 ∂B(z0 ,r)
(w − z0 )n+1

We note that f (z)(z − z0 )n is just a constant, and that we have previously proven
(
2πi k = −1
Z
k
(w − z0 ) dw = .
∂B(z0 ;r) 0 k 6= −1

So the right hand side is just 2πif (z). So done.

Corollary (Local maximum principle). Let f : B(z, r) → C be holomorphic.
Suppose |f (w)| ≤ |f (z)| for all w ∈ B(z; r). Then f is constant. In other words,
a non-constant function cannot achieve an interior local maximum.
Proof. Let 0 < ρ < r. Applying the Cauchy integral formula, we get
Z
1 f (w)
|f (z)| = dw
2πi ∂B(z;ρ) w−z

Setting w = z + ρe2πiθ , we get

Z 1
= f (z + ρe2πiθ ) dθ
0
≤ sup |f (w)|
|z−w|=ρ

≤ f (z).

So we must have equality throughout. When we proved the supremum bound

for the integral, we showed equality can happen only if the integrand is constant.
So |f (w)| is constant on the circle |z − w| = ρ, and is equal to f (z). Since this
is true for all ρ ∈ (0, r), it follows that |f | is constant on B(z; r). Then the
Cauchy–Riemann equations then entail that f must be constant, as you have
shown in example sheet 1.
Proof. (of Cauchy integral formula again) Given ε > 0, we pick δ > 0 such that
B(z, δ) ⊆ B(z0 , r), and such that whenever |w − z| < δ, then |f (w) − f (z)| < ε.
This is possible since f is uniformly continuous on the neighbourhood of z. We
now cut our region apart:

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2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

z z

z0 z0

We know fw−z (w)

is holomorphic on sufficiently small open neighbourhoods of
the half-contours indicated. The area enclosed by the contours might not be
star-shaped, but we can definitely divide it once more so that it is. Hence the
integral of fw−z
(w)
around the half-contour vanishes by Cauchy’s theorem. Adding
these together, we get
Z Z
f (w) f (w)
dw = dw,
∂B(z0 ,r) w − z ∂B(z,δ) w −z
where the balls are both oriented anticlockwise. Now we have
Z Z
1 f (w) 1 f (w)
f (z) − dw = f (z) − dw .
2πi ∂B(z0 ,r) w − z 2πi ∂B(z,δ) w − z

Now we once again use the fact that

Z
1
dz = 2πi
∂B(z,δ) w−z
to show this is equal to

f (z) − f (w)
Z
1 1 1
dw ≤ · 2πδ · · ε = ε.
2πi ∂B(z,δ) w−z 2π δ

Taking ε → 0, we see that the Cauchy integral formula holds.

Theorem (Liouville’s theorem). Let f : C → C be an entire function (i.e.
holomorphic everywhere). If f is bounded, then f is constant.
Proof. Suppose |f (z)| ≤ M for all z ∈ C. We fix z1 , z2 ∈ C, and estimate
|f (z1 ) − f (z2 )| with the integral formula.
Let R > max{2|z1 |, 2|z2 |}. By the integral formula, we know
Z  
1 f (w) f (w)
|f (z1 ) − f (z2 )| = − dw
2πi ∂B(0,R) w − z1 w − z2

f (w)(z1 − z2 )
Z
1
= dw
2πi ∂B(0,R) (w − z1 )(w − z2 )
1 M |z1 − z2 |
≤ · 2πR ·
2π (R/2)2
4M |z1 − z2 |
= .
R

13
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Note that we get the bound on the denominator since |w| = R implies |w−zi | > R2
by our choice of R. Letting R → ∞, we know we must have f (z1 ) = f (z2 ). So f
is constant.
Corollary (Fundamental theorem of algebra). A non-constant complex polyno-
mial has a root in C.
Proof. Let
P (z) = an z n + an−1 z n−1 + · · · + a0 ,
where an =6 0 and n > 0. So P is non-constant. Thus, as |z| → ∞, |P (z)| → ∞.
In particular, there is some R such that for |z| > R, we have |P (z)| ≥ 1.
Now suppose for contradiction that P does not have a root in C. Then
consider
1
f (z) = ,
P (z)
which is then an entire function, since it is a rational function. On B(0, R), we
know f is certainly continuous, and hence bounded. Outside this ball, we get
|f (z)| ≤ 1. So f (z) is constant, by Liouville’s theorem. But P is non-constant.
This is absurd. Hence the result follows.

2.4 Taylor’s theorem

Theorem (Taylor’s theorem). Let f : B(a, r) → C be holomorphic. Then f has
a convergent power series representation
∞
X
f (z) = cn (z − a)n
n=0

on B(a, r). Moreover,

f (n) (a)
Z
1 f (z)
cn = = dz
n! 2πi ∂B(a,ρ) (z − a)n+1
for any 0 < ρ < r.
Proof. We’ll use Cauchy’s integral formula. If |w − a| < ρ < r, then
Z
1 f (z)
f (w) = dz.
2πi ∂B(a,ρ) z − w
Now (cf. the first proof of the Cauchy integral formula), we note that
n
1 1 X (w − a)n
=  = .
z−w (z − a) 1 − w−a
n=0
(z − a)n+1
z−a

This series is uniformly convergent everywhere on the ρ disk, including its

boundary. By uniform convergence, we can exchange integration and summation
to get
∞ Z !
X 1 f (z)
f (w) = n+1
dz (w − a)n
n=0
2πi ∂B(a,ρ) (z − a)
∞
X
= cn (w − a)n .
n=0

14
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Since cn does not depend on w, this is a genuine power series representation,

and this is valid on any disk B(a, ρ) ⊆ B(a, r).
Then the formula for cn in terms of the derivative comes for free since that’s
the formula for the derivative of a power series.
Corollary. If f : B(a, r) → C is holomorphic on a disc, then f is infinitely
differentiable on the disc.
Proof. Complex power series are infinitely differentiable (and f had better be
infinitely differentiable for us to write down the formula for cn in terms of
f (n) ).
Corollary. If f : U → C is a complex-valued function, then f = u + iv is
holomorphic at p ∈ U if and only if u, v satisfy the Cauchy–Riemann equations,
and that ux , uy , vx , vy are continuous in a neighbourhood of p.
Proof. If ux , uy , vx , vy exist and are continuous in an open neighbourhood of p,
then u and v are differentiable as functions R2 → R2 at p, and then we proved
that the Cauchy–Riemann equations imply differentiability at each point in the
neighbourhood of p. So f is differentiable at a neighbourhood of p.
On the other hand, if f is holomorphic, then it is infinitely differentiable. In
particular, f 0 (z) is also holomorphic. So ux , uy , vx , vy are differentiable, hence
continuous.
Corollary (Morera’s theorem). Let U ⊆ C be a domain. Let f : U → C be
continuous such that Z
f (z) dz = 0
γ
1
for all piecewise-C closed curves γ ∈ U . Then f is holomorphic on U .
Proof. We have previously shown that the condition implies that f has an
antiderivative F : U → C, i.e. F is a holomorphic function such that F 0 = f .
But F is infinitely differentiable. So f must be holomorphic.
Corollary. Let U ⊆ C be a domain, fn ; U → C be a holomorphic function. If
fn → f uniformly, then f is in fact holomorphic, and
f 0 (z) = lim fn0 (z).
n

Proof. Given a piecewise C 1 path γ, uniformity of convergence says

Z Z
fn (z) dz → f (z) dz
γ γ

uniformly. Since f being holomorphic is a local condition, so we fix p ∈ U and

work in some small, convex disc B(p, ε) ⊆ U . Then for any curve γ inside this
disk, we have Z
fn (z) dz = 0.
γ
R
Hence we also have γ f (z) dz = 0. Since this is true for all curves, we conclude
f is holomorphic inside B(p, ε) by Morera’s theorem. Since p was arbitrary, we
know f is holomorphic.
We know the derivative of the limit is the limit of the derivative since we can
f (z)
express f 0 (a) in terms of the integral of (z−a) 2 , as in Taylor’s theorem.

15
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

2.5 Zeroes
Lemma (Principle of isolated zeroes). Let f : B(a, r) → C be holomorphic and
not identically zero. Then there exists some 0 < ρ < r such that f (z) 6= 0 in the
punctured neighbourhood B(a, ρ) \ {a}.
Proof. If f (a) 6= 0, then the result is obvious by continuity of f .
The other option is not too different. If f has a zero of order N at a, then
we can write f (z) = (z − a)N g(z) with g(a) 6= 0. By continuity of g, g does
not vanish on some small neighbourhood of a, say B(a, ρ). Then f (z) does not
vanish on B(a, ρ) \ {a}.
Corollary (Identity theorem). Let U ⊆ C be a domain, and f, g : U → C be
holomorphic. Let S = {z ∈ U : f (z) = g(z)}. Suppose S contains a non-isolated
point, i.e. there exists some w ∈ S such that for all ε > 0, S ∩ B(w, ε) 6= {w}.
Then f = g on U .
Proof. Consider the function h(z) = f (z) − g(z). Then the hypothesis says h(z)
has a non-isolated zero at w, i.e. there is no non-punctured neighbourhood of w
on which h is non-zero. By the previous lemma, this means there is some ρ > 0
such that h = 0 on B(w, ρ) ⊆ U .
Now we do some topological trickery. We let

U0 = {a ∈ U : h = 0 on some neighbourhood B(a, ρ) of a in U },

U1 = {a ∈ U : there exists n ≥ 0 such that h(n) 6= 0}.

Clearly, U0 ∩ U1 = ∅, and the existence of Taylor expansions shows U0 ∪ U1 = U .

Moreover, U0 is open by definition, and U1 is open since h(n) (z) is continuous
near any given a ∈ U1 . Since U is (path) connected, such a decomposition can
happen if one of U0 and U1 is empty. But w ∈ U0 . So in fact U0 = U , i.e. h
vanishes on the whole of U . So f = g.

2.6 Singularities
Proposition (Removal of singularities). Let U be a domain and z0 ∈ U . If
f : U \ {z0 } → C is holomorphic, and f is bounded near z0 , then there exists an
a such that f (z) → a as z → z0 .
Furthermore, if we define
(
f (z) z ∈ U \ {z0 }
g(z) = ,
a z = z0

then g is holomorphic on U .

Proof. Define a new function h : U → C by

(
(z − z0 )2 f (z) z 6= z0
h(z) = .
0 z = z0

Then since f is holomorphic away from z0 , we know h is also holomorphic away

from z0 .

16
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Also, we know f is bounded near z0 . So suppose |f (z)| < M in some

neighbourhood of z0 . Then we have

h(z) − h(z0 )
≤ |z − z0 |M.
z − z0

So in fact h is also differentiable at z0 , and h(z0 ) = h0 (z0 ) = 0. So near z0 , h

has a Taylor series X
h(z) = an (z − z0 )n .
n≥0

Since we are told that a0 = a1 = 0, we can define a g(z) by

X
g(z) = an+2 (z − z0 )n ,
n≥0

defined on some ball B(z0 , ρ), where the Taylor series for h is defined. By
construction, on the punctured ball B(z0 , ρ)\{z0 }, we get g(z) = f (z). Moreover,
g(z) → a2 as z → z0 . So f (z) → a2 as z → z0 .
Since g is a power series, it is holomorphic. So the result follows.
Proposition. Let U be a domain, z0 ∈ U and f : U \ {z0 } → C be holomorphic.
Suppose |f (z)| → ∞ as z → z0 . Then there is a unique k ∈ Z≥1 and a unique
holomorphic function g : U → C such that g(z0 ) 6= 0, and

g(z)
f (z) = .
(z − z0 )k

Proof. We shall construct g near z0 in some small neighbourhood, and then

apply analytic continuation to the whole of U . The idea is that since f (z) blows
1
up nicely as z → z0 , we know f (z) behaves sensibly near z0 .
We pick some δ > 0 such that |f (z)| ≥ 1 for all z ∈ B(z0 ; δ) \ {z0 }. In
particular, f (z) is non-zero on B(z0 ; δ) \ {z0 }. So we can define
(
1
z ∈ B(z0 ; δ) \ {z0 }
h(z) = f (z) .
0 z = z0
1
Since | f (z) | ≤ 1 on B(z0 ; δ)\{z0 }, by the removal of singularities, h is holomorphic
on B(z0 , δ). Since h vanishes at the z0 , it has a unique definite order at z0 , i.e.
there is a unique integer k ≥ 1 such that h has a zero of order k at z0 . In other
words,
h(z) = (z − z0 )k `(z),
for some holomorphic ` : B(z0 ; δ) → C and `(z0 ) 6= 0.
Now by continuity of `, there is some 0 < ε < δ such that `(z) 6= 0 for all
z ∈ B(z0 , ε). Now define g : B(z0 ; ε) → C by
1
g(z) = .
`(z)

Then g is holomorphic on this disc.

17
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

By construction, at least away from z0 , we have

1 1
g(z) = = · (z − z0 )k = (z − z0 )k f (z).
`(z) h(z)

g was initially defined on B(z0 ; ε) → C, but now this expression certainly makes
sense on all of U . So g admits an analytic continuation from B(z0 ; ε) to U . So
done.
Theorem (Casorati-Weierstrass theorem). Let U be a domain, z0 ∈ U , and
suppose f : U \ {z0 } → C has an essential singularity at z0 . Then for all w ∈ C,
there is a sequence zn → z0 such that f (zn ) → w.
In other words, on any punctured neighbourhood B(z0 ; ε) \ {z0 }, the image
of f is dense in C.
Proof. See example sheet 2.

Theorem (Picard’s theorem). If f has an isolated essential singularity at z0 , then

there is some b ∈ C such that on each punctured neighbourhood B(z0 ; ε) \ {z0 },
the image of f contains C \ {b}.

2.7 Laurent series

Theorem (Laurent series). Let 0 ≤ r < R < ∞, and let

A = {z ∈ C : r < |z − a| < R}

denote an annulus on C.
Suppose f : A → C is holomorphic. Then f has a (unique) convergent series
expansion
X∞
f (z) = cn (z − a)n ,
n=−∞

where Z
1 f (z)
cn = dz
2πi ∂B(a,ρ) (z − a)n+1
for r < ρ < R. Moreover, the series converges uniformly on compact subsets of
the annulus.
Proof. The proof looks very much like the blend of the two proofs we’ve given for
the Cauchy integral formula. In one of them, we took a power series expansion
of the integrand, and in the second, we changed our contour by cutting it up.
This is like a mix of the two.
Let w ∈ A. We let r < ρ0 < |w − a| < ρ00 < R.

18
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

ρ00
0
ρ

γ̃˜ a w γ̃

We let γ̃ be the contour containing w, and γ̃˜ be the other contour.

Now we apply the Cauchy integral formula to say
Z
1 f (z)
f (w) = dz
2πi γ̃ z − w

and Z
1 f (z)
0= dz.
2πi ˜
γ̃ z−w
So we get
Z Z
1 f (z) 1 f (z)
f (w) = dz − dz.
2πi ∂B(a,ρ00 ) z−w 2πi ∂B(a,ρ0 ) z−w

As in the first proof of the Cauchy integral formula, we make the following
expansions: for the first integral, we have w − a < z − a. So
∞
!
1 1 1 X (w − a)n
= w−a = ,
z−w z − a 1 − z−a n=0
(z − a)n+1

which is uniformly convergent on z ∈ ∂B(a, ρ00 ).

For the second integral, we have w − a > z − a. So
∞
!
−1 1 1 X (z − a)m−1
= z−a = ,
z−w w − a 1 − w−a m=1
(w − a)m

which is uniformly convergent for z ∈ ∂B(a, ρ0 ).

By uniform convergence, we can swap summation and integration. So we get
∞ Z !
X 1 f (z)
f (w) = n+1
dz (w − a)n
2πi ∂B(a,ρ00 ) (z − a)
n=0
∞ Z !
X 1 f (z)
+ −m+1
dz (w − a)−m .
m=1
2πi ∂B(a,ρ )0 (z − a)

19
2 Contour integration IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Now we substitute n = −m in the second sum, and get

∞
X
f (w) = c̃n (w − a)n ,
n=−∞

for the integrals c̃n . However, some of the coefficients are integrals around the
ρ00 circle, while the others are around the ρ0 circle. This is not a problem. For
any r < ρ < R, these circles are convex deformations of |z − a| = ρ inside the
annulus A. So Z
f (z)
dz
∂B(a,ρ) (z − a)n+1
is independent of ρ as long as ρ ∈ (r, R). So we get the result stated.

Lemma. Let f : A → C be holomorphic, A = {r < |z − a| < R}, with

∞
X
f (z) = cn (z − a)n
n=−∞

Then the coefficients cn are uniquely determined by f .

Proof. Suppose also that
∞
X
f (z) = bn (z − a)n .
n=−∞

Using our formula for ck , we know

Z
f (z)
2πick = dz
∂B(a,ρ) (z − a)k+1
Z !
X
n−k−1
= bn (z − a) dz
∂B(a,ρ) n
X Z
= bn (z − a)n−k−1 dz
n ∂B(a,ρ)

= 2πibk .

So ck = bk .

20
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

3 Residue calculus
3.1 Winding numbers
Lemma. Let γ : [a, b] → C be a continuous closed curve, and pick a point
w ∈ C \ image(γ). Then there are continuous functions r : [a, b] → R > 0 and
θ : [a, b] → R such that
γ(t) = w + r(t)eiθ(t) .
Proof. Clearly r(t) = |γ(t) − w| exists and is continuous, since it is the composi-
tion of continuous functions. Note that this is never zero since γ(t) is never w.
The actual content is in defining θ.
To define θ(t), we for simplicity assume w = 0. Furthermore, by considering
instead the function γ(t)
r(t) , which is continuous and well-defined since r is never
zero, we can assume |γ(t)| = 1 for all t.
Recall that the principal branch of log, and hence of the argument Im(log),
takes values in (−π, π) and is defined on C \ R≤0 .

If γ(t) always lied in, say, the right-hand half plane, we would have no problem
defining θ consistently, since we can just let
θ(t) = arg(γ(t))
for arg the principal branch. There is nothing special about the right-hand half
plane. Similarly, if γ lies in the region as shaded below:

i.e. we have n  z  o
γ(t) ∈ z : Re iα > 0
e
for a fixed α, we can define
 
γ(t)
θ(t) = α + arg .
eiα

21
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Since γ : [a, b] → C is continuous, it is uniformly continuous, and we can find a

subdivision
a = a0 < a1 < · · · < am = b,
√
such that if s, t ∈ [ai−1 , ai ], then |γ(s) − γ(t)| < 2, and hence γ(s) and γ(t)
belong to such a half-plane.
So we define θj : [aj−1 , aj ] → R such that

γ(t) = eiθj (t)

for t ∈ [aj−1 , aj ], and 1 ≤ j ≤ n − 1.

On each region [aj−1 , aj ], this gives a continuous argument function. We
cannot immediately extend this to the whole of [a, b], since it is entirely possible
that θj (aj ) = θj+1 (aj ). However, we do know that θj (aj ) are both values of the
argument of γ(aj ). So they must differ by an integer multiple of 2π, say 2nπ.
Then we can just replace θj+1 by θj+1 − 2nπ, which is an equally valid argument
function, and then the two functions will agree at aj .
Hence, for j > 1, we can successively re-define θj such that the resulting map
θ is continuous. Then we are done.
Lemma. Suppose γ : [a, b] → C is a piecewise C 1 -smooth closed path, and
w 6∈ image(γ). Then Z
1 1
I(γ, w) = dz.
2πi γ z − w

Proof. Let γ(t) − w = r(t)eiθ(t) , with now r and θ piecewise C 1 -smooth. Then
b
γ 0 (t)
Z Z
1
dz = dt
γ z−w a γ(t) − w
Z b 0 
r (t)
= + iθ0 (t) dt
a r(t)
= [ln r(t) + iθ(t)]ba
= i(θ(b) − θ(a))
= 2πiI(γ, w).

So done.

3.2 Homotopy of closed curves

Proposition. Let φ, ψ : [a, b] → U be homotopic (piecewise C 1 ) closed paths in
a domain U . Then there exists some φ = φ0 , φ1 , · · · , φN = ψ such that each φj
is piecewise C 1 closed and φi+1 is obtained from φi by elementary deformation.
Proof. This is an exercise in uniform continuity. We let F : [0, 1] × [a, b] → U
be a homotopy from φ to ψ. Since image(F ) is compact and U is open, there
is some ε > 0 such that B(F (s, t), ε) ⊆ U for all (s, t) ∈ [0, 1] × [a, b] (for each
s, t, pick the maximum εs,t > 0 such that B(F (s, t), εs,t ) ⊆ U . Then εs,t varies
continuously with s, t, hence attains its minimum on the compact set [0, 1] × [a, b].
Then picking ε to be the minimum works).
Since F is uniformly continuous, there is some δ such that k(s, t)−(s0 , t0 )k < δ
implies |F (s, t) − F (s0 , t0 )| < ε.

22
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

1+(b−a)
Now we pick n ∈ N such that n < δ, and let

j
xj = a + (b − a)
n
φi (t) = F ni , t

Cij = B F ni , xj , ε

Then Cij is
clearly convex. These definitions are cooked up precisely so that if
s ∈ i−1 i
n , n and t ∈ [xj−1 , xj ], then F (s, t) ∈ Cij . So the result follows.

Corollary. Let U be a domain, f : U → C be holomorphic, and γ1 , γ2 be

homotopic piecewise C 1 -smooth closed curves in U . Then
Z Z
f (z) dz = f (z) dz.
γ1 γ2

Corollary (Cauchy’s theorem for simply connected domains). Let U be a simply

connected domain, and let f : U → C be holomorphic. If γ is any piecewise
C 1 -smooth closed curve in U , then
Z
f (z) dz = 0.
γ

Proof. By definition of simply-connected, γ is homotopic to the constant path,

and it is easy to see the integral along a constant path is zero.

3.3 Cauchy’s residue theorem

Theorem (Cauchy’s residue theorem). Let U be a simply connected domain,
and {z1 , · · · , zk } ⊆ U . Let f : U \ {z1 , · · · , zk } → C be holomorphic. Let
γ : [a, b] → U be a piecewise C 1 -smooth closed curve such that zi 6= image(γ)
for all i. Then
Z k
1 X
f (z) dz = I(γ, zi ) Res(f ; zi ).
2πi γ j=1

Proof. At each zi , f has a Laurent expansion

X
f (z) = cn(i) (z − zi )n ,
n∈Z

valid in some neighbourhood of zi . Let gi (z) be the principal part, namely

−1
X
gi (z) = c(i) n
n (z − zi ) .
n=−∞

From the proof of the Laurent series, we know gi (z) gives a holomorphic function
on U \ {zi }.
We now consider f −g1 −g2 −· · ·−gk , which is holomorphic on U \{z1 , · · · , zk },
and has a removable singularity at each zi . So
Z
(f − g1 − · · · − gk )(z) dz = 0,
γ

23
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

by simply-connected Cauchy. Hence we know

Z k Z
X
f (z) dz = gj (z) dz.
γ j=1 γ

(j)
For each j, we use uniform convergence of the series n≤−1 cn (z − zj )n on
P
compact subsets of U \ {zj }, and hence on γ, to write
Z X Z
(j)
gj (z) dz = cn (z − zj )n dz.
γ n≤−1 γ

However, for n 6= −1, the function (z − zj )n has an antiderivative, and hence

the integral around γ vanishes. So this is equal to
Z
(j) 1
c−1 dz.
γ z − zj
(j)
But c−1 is by definition the residue of f at zj , and the integral is just the integral
definition of the winding number (up to a factor of 2πi). So we get
Z k
X
f (z) dz = 2πi Res(f ; zj )I(γ, zj ).
γ j=1

So done.

3.4 Overview
3.5 Applications of the residue theorem
Lemma. Let f : U \ {a} → C be holomorphic with a pole at a, i.e f is
meromorphic on U .
(i) If the pole is simple, then

Res(f, a) = lim (z − a)f (z).

z→a

(ii) If near a, we can write

g(z)
f (z) = ,
h(z)
where g(a) 6= 0 and h has a simple zero at a, and g, h are holomorphic on
B(a, ε) \ {a}, then
g(a)
Res(f, a) = 0 .
h (a)
(iii) If
g(z)
f (z) =
(z − a)k
near a, with g(a) 6= 0 and g is holomorphic, then

g (k−1) (a)
Res(f, a) = .
(k − 1)!

24
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Proof.
(i) By definition, if f has a simple pole at a, then
c−1
f (z) = + c0 + c1 (z − a) + · · · ,
(z − a)

and by definition c−1 = Res(f, a). Then the result is obvious.

(ii) This is basically L’Hôpital’s rule. By the previous part, we have

g(z) z−a g(a)

Res(f ; a) = lim (z − a) = g(a) lim = 0 .
z→a h(z) z→a h(z) − h(a) h (a)

(iii) We know the residue Res(f ; a) is the coefficient of (z − a)k−1 in the Taylor
1
series of g at a, which is exactly (k−1)! g (k−1) (a).

Lemma. Let f : B(a, r) \ {a} → C be holomorphic, and suppose f has a simple

pole at a. We let γε : [α, β] → C be given by

t 7→ a + εeit .

γε

β α
a ε

Then Z
lim f (z) dz = (β − α) · i · Res(f, a).
ε→0 γε

Proof. We can write

c
f (z) = + g(z)
z−a
near a, where c = Res(f ; a), and g : B(a, δ) → C is holomorphic near a. We
take ε < δ. Then
Z
g(z) dz ≤ (β − α) · ε sup |g(z)|.
γε z∈γε

25
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

But g is bounded on B(α, δ). So this vanishes as ε → 0. So the remaining

integral is
Z Z
c 1
lim dz = c lim dz
ε→0 γ z − a ε→0 γ z − a
ε ε
Z β
1
= c lim · iεeit dt
ε→0 α εeit

= i(β − α)c,

as required.
Lemma (Jordan’s lemma). Let f be holomorphic on a neighbourhood of infinity
in C, i.e. on {|z| > r} for some r > 0. Assume that zf (z) is bounded in this
region. Then for α > 0, we have
Z
f (z)eiαz dz → 0
γR

as R → ∞, where γR (t) = Reit for t ∈ [0, π] is the semicircle (which is not

closed).

γR

−R R

Proof. By assumption, we have

M
|f (z)| ≤
|z|

for large |z| and some constant M > 0. We also have

|eiαz | = e−Rα sin t

on γR . To avoid messing with sin t, we note that on (0, π2 ], the function sin θ
θ is
decreasing, since  
d sin θ θ cos θ − sin θ
= ≤ 0.
dθ θ θ2
Then by consider the end points, we find
2t
sin(t) ≥
π
for t ∈ [0, π2 ]. This gives us the bound
(
iαz −Rα sin t e−Ra2t/π 0 ≤ t ≤ π2
|e | = e ≤ 0
e−Ra2t /π 0 ≤ t0 = π − t ≤ π
2

26
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

So we get
Z π/2 Z 2π
it
eiRαe f (Reit )Reit dt ≤ e−2αRt/π · M dt
0 0
1
= (1 − eαR )
2R
→0
as R → ∞.
The estimate for Z π
f (z)eiαz dz
π/2
is analogous.

3.6 Rouchés theorem

Theorem (Argument principle). Let U be a simply connected domain, and let
f be meromorphic on U . Suppose in fact f has finitely many zeroes z1 , · · · , zk
and finitely many poles w1 , · · · , w` . Let γ be a piecewise-C 1 closed curve such
that zi , wj 6∈ image(γ) for all i, j. Then
k `
f 0 (z)
Z
1 X X
I(f ◦ γ, 0) = dz = ord(f ; zi )Iγ (zi ) − ord(f, wj )I(γ, wj ).
2πi γ f (z) i=1 j=1

Proof. By the residue theorem, we have

Z 0  0 
1 f (z) X f
dz = Res , z I(γ, z),
2πi γ f (z) f
z∈U

where we sum over all zeroes and poles of z. Note that outside these zeroes and
0
poles, the function ff (z)
(z)
is holomorphic.
Now at each zi , if f (z) = (z − zj )k g(z), with g(zj ) 6= 0, then by direct
computation, we get
f 0 (z) k g 0 (z)
= + .
f (z) z − zj g(z)
0
Since at zj , g is holomorphic and non-zero, we know gg(z)(z)
is holomorphic near
zj . So  0 
f
Res , zj = k = ord(f, zj ).
f
Analogously, by the same proof, at the wi , we get
 0 
f
Res , wj = − ord(f ; wj ).
f
So done.
Corollary (Rouchés theorem). Let U be a domain and γ a closed curve which
bounds a domain in U (the key case is when U is simply connected and γ is a
simple closed curve). Let f, g be holomorphic on U , and suppose |f | > |g| for all
z ∈ image(γ). Then f and f + g have the same number of zeroes in the domain
bound by γ, when counted with multiplicity.

27
3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Proof. If |f | > |g| on γ, then f and f + g cannot have zeroes on the curve γ.
We let
f (z) + g(z) g(z)
h(z) = =1+ .
f (z) f (z)
This is a natural thing to consider, since zeroes of f + g is zeroes of h, while
poles of h are zeroes of f . Note that by assumption, for all z ∈ γ, we have

h(z) ∈ B(1, 1) ⊆ {z : Re z > 0}.

Therefore h◦γ is a closed curve in the half-plane {z : Re z > 0}. So I(h◦γ; 0) = 0.

Then by the argument principle, h must have the same number of zeros as poles
in D, when counted with multiplicity (note that the winding numbers are all
+1).
Thus, as the zeroes of h are the zeroes of f + g, and the poles of h are the
poles of f , the result follows.
Lemma. The local degree is given by

deg(f, a) = I(f ◦ γ, f (a)),

where
γ(t) = a + reit ,
with 0 ≤ t ≤ 2π, for r > 0 sufficiently small.
Proof. Note that by the identity theorem, we know that, f (z) − f (a) has an
isolated zero at a (since f is non-constant). So for sufficiently small r, the
function f (z) − f (a) does not vanish on B(a, r) \ {a}. If we use this r, then f ◦ γ
never hits f (a), and the winding number is well-defined.
The result then follows directly from the argument principle.
Proposition (Local degree theorem). Let f : B(a, r) → C be holomorphic and
non-constant. Then for r > 0 sufficiently small, there is ε > 0 such that for any
w ∈ B(f (a), ε) \ {f (a)}, the equation f (z) = w has exactly deg(f, a) distinct
solutions in B(a, r).
Proof. We pick r > 0 such that f (z)−f (a) and f 0 (z) don’t vanish on B(a, r)\{a}.
We let γ(t) = a + reit . Then f (a) 6∈ image(f ◦ γ). So there is some ε > 0 such
that
B(f (a), ε) ∩ image(f ◦ γ) = ∅.
We now let w ∈ B(f (a), ε). Then the number of zeros of f (z) − w in B(a, r) is
just I(f ◦ γ, w), by the argument principle. This is just equal to I(f ◦ γ, f (a)) =
deg(f, a), by the invariance of I(Γ, ∗) as we move ∗ in a component C \ Γ.
Now if w =6 f (a), since f 0 (z) 6= 0 on B(a, r) \ {a}, all roots of f (z) − w must
be simple. So there are exactly deg(f ; a) distinct zeros.
Corollary (Open mapping theorem). Let U be a domain and f : U → C is
holomorphic and non-constant, then f is an open map, i.e. for all open V ⊆ U ,
we get that f (V ) is open.
Proof. This is an immediate consequence of the local degree theorem. It suffices
to prove that for every z ∈ U and r > 0 sufficiently small, we can find ε > 0
such that B(f (a), ε) ⊆ f (B(a, r)). This is true by the local degree theorem.

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3 Residue calculus IB Complex Analysis (Theorems with proof)

Corollary. Let U ⊆ C be a simply connected domain, and U 6= C. Then there

is a non-constant holomorphic function U → B(0, 1).

Proof. We let q ∈ C \ U , and let φ(z) = z − q. So φ : U → C is non-vanishing.

It is also clearly holomorphic and non-constant. By an exercise (possibly on the
example sheet), there is a holomorphic function g : U → C such that φ(z) = eg(z)
for all z. In particular, our function φ(z) = z − q : U → C∗ can be written as
1
φ(z) = h(z)2 , for some function h : U → C∗ (by letting h(z) = e 2 g(z) ).
We let y ∈ h(U ), and then the open mapping theorem says there is some
r > 0 with B(y, r) ⊆ h(U ). But notice φ is injective by observation, and that
h(z1 ) = ±h(z2 ) implies φ(z1 ) = φ(z2 ). So we deduce that B(−y, r) ∩ h(U ) = ∅
(note that since y 6= 0, we have B(y, r) ∩ B(−y, r) = ∅ for sufficiently small r).
Now define
r
f : z 7→ .
2(h(z) + y)
This is a holomorphic function f : U → B(0, 1), and is non-constant.

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