(Adding solutions and problem descriptions)
(Adding solutions and problem descriptions)
 
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Suppose for contradiction that <math>S</math> is bounded; that is, <math>\exists R \forall z</math> such that <math>|z| \geq R \implies u(z) \neq 0</math>. Let <math>f = u + iv</math> analytic, where <math>v</math> is the global analytic conjugate for <math>u</math>. We will show that <math>g = e^{f(z)}</math> is constant, thus <math>u</math> is constant.  
 
Suppose for contradiction that <math>S</math> is bounded; that is, <math>\exists R \forall z</math> such that <math>|z| \geq R \implies u(z) \neq 0</math>. Let <math>f = u + iv</math> analytic, where <math>v</math> is the global analytic conjugate for <math>u</math>. We will show that <math>g = e^{f(z)}</math> is constant, thus <math>u</math> is constant.  
  
Let <math>z_0 = R+0i</math>. Then as <math>|z_0|=R \geq R</math>, <math>u(z_0) \neq 0</math>. Without loss of generality (as we could multiply <math>u,f</math> by <math>-1</math>) let <math>u(z_0) < 0</math>. Consider a point <math>p</math> with <math>|p|\geq R</math>. Let <math>\gamma_p</math> be the path along <math>C_{|p|}</math> clockwise to the origin, followed by the path along the real axis from <math>|p|+0i</math> to <math>|R|</math>. This path lies outside <math>B_R(0)</math>, and thus <math>u(z) \neq 0</math> on this path; so by the contrapositive to the intermediate value theorem, as <math>u</math> is harmonic and thus continuous, <math>u(z) < 0</math> at <math>p</math>. Thus <math>u(z) < 0 \forall z \in \mathbb C - B_R(0)</math>.
+
Let <math>z_0 = R+0i</math>. Then as <math>|z_0|=R \geq R</math>, <math>u(z_0) \neq 0</math>. Without loss of generality (as we could multiply <math>u,f</math> by <math>-1</math>) let <math>u(z_0) < 0</math>. Consider a point <math>p</math> with <math>|p|\geq R</math>. Let <math>\gamma_p</math> be the path along <math>C_{|p|}</math> clockwise to the origin, followed by the path along the real axis from <math>|p|+0i</math> to <math>|R|</math>. This path lies outside <math>B_R(0)</math>, and thus <math>u(z) \neq 0</math> on this path; so by the contrapositive to the intermediate value theorem, as <math>u</math> is harmonic and thus continuous, <math>u(z) < 0</math> at <math>p</math>. Thus <math>u(z) < 0 \forall z \in \mathbb C - D_R(0)</math>.
  
Consider now the analytic function <math>g = e^{u+iv} = e^ue^{iv}</math>. For <math>z \in \mathbb C -B_R(0)</math>, <math>|g(z)| = |e^u||e^{iv}| = |e^u| < 1</math> as <math>u(z)<0</math>. On <math>\overline{B_R(0)}</math>, as <math>g</math> is continuous on a compact set, it achieves a maximum <math>M</math>. Thus <math>g</math> is a bounded entire function, so by Liouville, <math>g</math> is constant.
+
Consider now the analytic function <math>g = e^{u+iv} = e^ue^{iv}</math>. For <math>z \in \mathbb C -D_R(0)</math>, <math>|g(z)| = |e^u||e^{iv}| = |e^u| < 1</math> as <math>u(z)<0</math>. On <math>\overline{D_R(0)}</math>, as <math>g</math> is continuous on a compact set, it achieves a maximum <math>M</math>. Thus <math>g</math> is a bounded entire function, so by Liouville, <math>g</math> is constant.
  
 
<math>0 \equiv g' \equiv f' e^f</math>. As <math>e^f</math> is nonzero, <math>f' \equiv 0</math> and thus <math>u' \equiv 0</math>; so <math>u</math> is constant, a contradiction.
 
<math>0 \equiv g' \equiv f' e^f</math>. As <math>e^f</math> is nonzero, <math>f' \equiv 0</math> and thus <math>u' \equiv 0</math>; so <math>u</math> is constant, a contradiction.
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== Problem 3  ==
 
== Problem 3  ==
 +
Construct a LFT between <math>D_1(0) \cap \left\{x + iy \in \mathbb C : y >
 +
\dfrac{\sqrt 2}2\right\}</math> onto <math>D_1(0)</math>.
 +
 +
=== Clinton, 2014 ===
 +
 +
We will construct it in three stages. Consider the LFT taking <math>-\frac{\sqrt{2}}2+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i \to 0</math>, <math>\frac{\sqrt{2}}2+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i \to \infty</math>, <math>\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i \to 1</math>, given by
 +
 +
<math>
 +
f_1(z) = -\dfrac{z+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2-\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}2i}{z-\frac{\sqrt{2}}2-\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i}
 +
</math>
 +
 +
Then <math>f(i) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}2+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i</math>, with the interior mapping to the first octant.
 +
 +
Next expand to the upper half plane via <math>f_2(z) = z^4</math>.
 +
 +
Finally, take the upper half plane to the unit disc via <math>f_3(z) = \dfrac{z-i}{z+i}</math>.
 +
 +
Thus <math>f = f_3 \circ f_2 \circ f_1</math> takes the given region to the unit disk.
  
 
== Problem 4  ==
 
== Problem 4  ==
 +
Let <math>\displaystyle f(z) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{n!}</math>. Show the radius of convergence of this power series is <math>1</math>. Let <math>u</math> be a root of unity. Show that <math>\lim_{r \to 1^-} f(ru) = \infty</math>.
 +
 +
=== Clinton, 2014 ===
 +
 +
Let <math>\Omega_\epsilon = D_1(0) \cup D_\epsilon(1)</math>. Is there <math>\epsilon > 0</math> and a meromorphic function <math>F</math> with <math>F \equiv f</math> on <math>D_1(0)</math>? Explain.
 +
 +
Note that, for <math>x \in D_1(0)</math>, <math>|\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{n!}| \leq \sum_{n=0}^\infty |x|^{n!} \leq \sum_{n=0}^\infty |x|^n = \frac{1}{1-|x|}</math>, so the series is absolutely convergent and thus convergent at each point. Thus <math>R \geq 1</math>. We will show, in the next portion, it diverges for at least one (countably infinitely many) values with <math>|x|=1</math>, showing <math>R = 1</math>.
 +
 +
Let <math>u</math> be a <math>j</math>th root of unity. We intend to show that <math>\displaystyle\lim_{r \to 1-}f(ru)=\infty</math>; that is, <math>\forall M \exists \epsilon</math> such that <math>1-\epsilon < x < 1 \implies f(xu) > M</math>. Fix such an <math>M</math>.
 +
 +
Let <math>g_k(x) = \sum_{n=0}^k (ux)^{n!}</math>. Notice that, for <math>k>j</math>,
 +
 +
<math>\displaystyle g_k(1) = \sum_{n=0}^{j-1} u^{n!}+ \sum_{j}^k (u^j)^{\frac {n!}{j}} = \sum_{n=0}^{j-1} u^{n!} + (k-j) \to_{k \to \infty} \infty</math>
 +
 +
And that similarly, for positive <math>x</math>, for <math>k>j</math> the summands are positive real.
 +
 +
So there exists some <math>k</math> for which <math>g_k(1) > 2M</math>. By continuity of polynomials, <math>\exists \epsilon</math> for which <math>|r-1|< \epsilon \implies |g_k(1)-g_k(r)| < M</math>; that is, <math>g_k(r) > 2M-M = M</math>.
 +
 +
As the summands are positive for <math>n>j</math>, <math>f(ur) > g_k(r)=M</math> on this neighborhood.
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 +
Thus <math>f(ur) \to \infty</math> as desired.
 +
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There is no such merromorphic function; a merromorphic function must be continuous except on a discrete set, but the roots of unity are dense on the infinite subset <math>C_1(0) \cap d_\epsilon(1)</math> for all <math>\epsilon</math>, and the function diverges at every root of unity.
  
 
== Problem 5  ==
 
== Problem 5  ==
 +
 +
Evaluate the integral <math>\displaystyle\int_0^\infty\frac {\sqrt x}{x^2+1}dx</math> using techniques from complex variables.
 +
 +
=== Clinton, 2014 ===
 +
Consider the contour <math>\gamma_R</math> consisting of the subset of the real line <math>[-R,R]</math> followed by the upper half circle <math>C_R^+</math> of <math>C_R(0)</math>, traversed counterclockwise.
 +
 +
<math>
 +
\displaystyle \int_{\gamma_R} \dfrac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} = \int_0^R \frac{\sqrt{x}}{x^2+1} + \int_{C_R^+} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} + \int_{0}^R \frac{i \sqrt x}{x^2+1} = (1+i)\int_0^R \frac{\sqrt{x}}{x^2+1} + \int_{C_R^+} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1}
 +
</math>
 +
 +
Note that <math>\displaystyle \left|\int_{C_R^+} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1}\right| \leq \pi R \max_{z \in C_R^+}\left| \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} \right|</math>
 +
 +
Which, by the basic polynomial estimate, <math>\leq \pi R \frac{R^{1/2}}{AR^2}= \frac{\pi}{A} R^{-\frac 12}</math> for some <math>A</math> and sufficiently large <math>R</math>. As the power of <math>R</math> is negative, the limit as <math>R \to \infty</math> is zero.
 +
 +
Therefore <math>\displaystyle\int_0^\infty \frac{\sqrt x}{x^2+1}= \frac{1}{1+i} \lim_{R \to \infty} \int_{\gamma_R} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1}</math>
 +
 +
By the residue theorem, for <math>R > 1</math>, the integral is also equal to the residue at <math>i</math> (there are two simple poles at <math>i,-i</math>, the single zeroes of the denominator). By a theorem in class, the residue at a simple pole is given by <math>\operatorname{res}_a \frac {f(z)}{g(z)} = 2 \pi i\frac{f(a)}{g'(a)}</math> , so
 +
 +
<math>\displaystyle\operatorname{res}_{i} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} = 2 \pi i \frac{\frac{1+i}{\sqrt{2}}}{2i} = (1+i)\frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}</math>
 +
 +
So  <math>\displaystyle\int_0^\infty \frac{\sqrt x}{x^2+1}= \frac \pi {\sqrt 2}</math>
  
 
== Problem 6  ==
 
== Problem 6  ==
 +
Suppose <math>f</math> is analytic on <math>D_1(0)</math> and <math>|f(z)| < 1</math> for all <math>z</math> in the unit disk. Prove that if <math>f(0) = a \neq 0</math>, then <math>f</math> has no zeroes on <math>D_{|a|}(0)</math>.
 +
 +
 +
=== Clinton, 2014 ===
 +
Let <math>\phi_a := \dfrac{z-a}{1-\bar a z}</math>, the automorphism of the unit disk <math>D = D_1(0)</math> taking <math>a \to 0</math> and <math>0 \to -a</math>. Let <math>g \equiv \phi_a \circ f</math>; then as <math>f: D \to D</math>, <math>\phi_a: D \to D</math>, we have <math>g: D \to D</math> with <math>g(0) = \phi_a(a) = 0</math>. So by the Schwarz lemma, <math>g(z) \leq z</math>.
 +
 +
For contradiction suppose there exists <math>b \in D_{|a|}(0)</math> such that <math>f(b) = 0</math>. Then
 +
 +
<math>|a| = |-a| = |\phi_a(0)| = |g(b)| \leq |b| < |a|</math>, a contradiction. Therefore no such zeroes exist.
  
 
== Problem 7 ==
 
== Problem 7 ==
 +
Suppose <math>f</math> is a one-to-one entire function. Show that there exists <math>a \in \mathbb C-\{0\}, b \in \mathbb C</math> such that <math>f(z) = az + b</math>.
 +
 +
=== Clinton, 2014 ===
 +
 +
Consider <math>g(z) \equiv f\left( \dfrac 1z \right)</math>. This function has a sinularity at <math>0</math>; this singularity is either essential, removable, or a pole. We will next show it must be a pole.
 +
 +
Suppose for contradiction that it is essential. Then by Picard's theorem, it attains <math>g(z)=1</math> at infinitely many points in <math>\mathbb C</math>; however, <math>\frac 1z: \mathbb C - \{0\} \to \mathbb C</math> is one to one, and <math>f</math> is one to one, so their composition is one to one; this is a contradiction.
 +
 +
Suppose for contradiction that it is removable. Then <math>\lim_{z \to 0}g(z) = L</math> for some <math>L</math>; so <math>\forall \epsilon \exists \delta</math> such that <math>\left| \dfrac 1z \right| < \epsilon \implies |f(z)-L| < \epsilon</math>; e.g. <math>\exists M = \dfrac 1\epsilon</math> such that <math>\forall |z|>M</math>, <math>|f(z)|<|L|+|\epsilon|</math>.
 +
 +
Thus <math>f</math> is bounded and entire, so by Liouville's, it is constant. This again contradicts one-to-one.
 +
 +
Therefore the singularity is a pole, of some order <math>n \in \mathbb N</math>. As discussed in class, if <math>f(z) = \sum_0^\infty a_i z^i</math>, then <math>f\left(\dfrac 1z\right) = \sum_{-\infty}^0 a_{-i} z^i</math>. As the singularity is a pole, only finitely many (the first <math>n</math>) of the <math>a_i</math> can be nonzero. Thus, <math>f = \sum_0^n a_i z^i</math>, a polynomial.
 +
 +
Next we need show <math>n=1</math>.
 +
 +
By the fundamental theorem of calculus, <math>f</math> has <math>n</math> zeroes counting multiplicity. If two are distinct, <math>f</math> is not one-to-one; so <math>f(z) \equiv k(z-a)^n</math>. Suppose for contradiction <math>n>1</math>, and let <math>\psi</math> be an <math>n</math>th root of unity. Then <math>f(a+\psi)=k\psi^n=k=k(\psi^2)^n = f(a+\psi^2)</math>, a contradiction.
 +
 +
Thus <math>n \leq 1</math>. as <math>n</math> is the order of a pole, <math>n \geq 1</math>; so <math>n=1</math>, and <math>f= ax+b</math> for some <math>a \neq 0,b</math> in <math>\mathbb C</math>.

Latest revision as of 04:43, 10 August 2014

Post solutions for mock qual #2 here.  Please indicate authorship!



Problem 1

Problem 2

Suppose $ u: \mathbb C \to \mathbb R $ is a non-constant harmonic function. Show that the zero set $ S = \{z \in \mathbb C | u(z) = 0\} $ is unbounded as a subset of $ \mathbb C $.

Clinton, 2014

Suppose for contradiction that $ S $ is bounded; that is, $ \exists R \forall z $ such that $ |z| \geq R \implies u(z) \neq 0 $. Let $ f = u + iv $ analytic, where $ v $ is the global analytic conjugate for $ u $. We will show that $ g = e^{f(z)} $ is constant, thus $ u $ is constant.

Let $ z_0 = R+0i $. Then as $ |z_0|=R \geq R $, $ u(z_0) \neq 0 $. Without loss of generality (as we could multiply $ u,f $ by $ -1 $) let $ u(z_0) < 0 $. Consider a point $ p $ with $ |p|\geq R $. Let $ \gamma_p $ be the path along $ C_{|p|} $ clockwise to the origin, followed by the path along the real axis from $ |p|+0i $ to $ |R| $. This path lies outside $ B_R(0) $, and thus $ u(z) \neq 0 $ on this path; so by the contrapositive to the intermediate value theorem, as $ u $ is harmonic and thus continuous, $ u(z) < 0 $ at $ p $. Thus $ u(z) < 0 \forall z \in \mathbb C - D_R(0) $.

Consider now the analytic function $ g = e^{u+iv} = e^ue^{iv} $. For $ z \in \mathbb C -D_R(0) $, $ |g(z)| = |e^u||e^{iv}| = |e^u| < 1 $ as $ u(z)<0 $. On $ \overline{D_R(0)} $, as $ g $ is continuous on a compact set, it achieves a maximum $ M $. Thus $ g $ is a bounded entire function, so by Liouville, $ g $ is constant.

$ 0 \equiv g' \equiv f' e^f $. As $ e^f $ is nonzero, $ f' \equiv 0 $ and thus $ u' \equiv 0 $; so $ u $ is constant, a contradiction.

Thus no nonconstant $ u $ with bounded zero set exists.

Problem 3

Construct a LFT between $ D_1(0) \cap \left\{x + iy \in \mathbb C : y > \dfrac{\sqrt 2}2\right\} $ onto $ D_1(0) $.

Clinton, 2014

We will construct it in three stages. Consider the LFT taking $ -\frac{\sqrt{2}}2+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i \to 0 $, $ \frac{\sqrt{2}}2+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i \to \infty $, $ \frac{\sqrt{2}}2i \to 1 $, given by

$ f_1(z) = -\dfrac{z+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2-\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}2i}{z-\frac{\sqrt{2}}2-\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i} $

Then $ f(i) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}2+\frac{\sqrt{2}}2i $, with the interior mapping to the first octant.

Next expand to the upper half plane via $ f_2(z) = z^4 $.

Finally, take the upper half plane to the unit disc via $ f_3(z) = \dfrac{z-i}{z+i} $.

Thus $ f = f_3 \circ f_2 \circ f_1 $ takes the given region to the unit disk.

Problem 4

Let $ \displaystyle f(z) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{n!} $. Show the radius of convergence of this power series is $ 1 $. Let $ u $ be a root of unity. Show that $ \lim_{r \to 1^-} f(ru) = \infty $.

Clinton, 2014

Let $ \Omega_\epsilon = D_1(0) \cup D_\epsilon(1) $. Is there $ \epsilon > 0 $ and a meromorphic function $ F $ with $ F \equiv f $ on $ D_1(0) $? Explain.

Note that, for $ x \in D_1(0) $, $ |\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^{n!}| \leq \sum_{n=0}^\infty |x|^{n!} \leq \sum_{n=0}^\infty |x|^n = \frac{1}{1-|x|} $, so the series is absolutely convergent and thus convergent at each point. Thus $ R \geq 1 $. We will show, in the next portion, it diverges for at least one (countably infinitely many) values with $ |x|=1 $, showing $ R = 1 $.

Let $ u $ be a $ j $th root of unity. We intend to show that $ \displaystyle\lim_{r \to 1-}f(ru)=\infty $; that is, $ \forall M \exists \epsilon $ such that $ 1-\epsilon < x < 1 \implies f(xu) > M $. Fix such an $ M $.

Let $ g_k(x) = \sum_{n=0}^k (ux)^{n!} $. Notice that, for $ k>j $,

$ \displaystyle g_k(1) = \sum_{n=0}^{j-1} u^{n!}+ \sum_{j}^k (u^j)^{\frac {n!}{j}} = \sum_{n=0}^{j-1} u^{n!} + (k-j) \to_{k \to \infty} \infty $

And that similarly, for positive $ x $, for $ k>j $ the summands are positive real.

So there exists some $ k $ for which $ g_k(1) > 2M $. By continuity of polynomials, $ \exists \epsilon $ for which $ |r-1|< \epsilon \implies |g_k(1)-g_k(r)| < M $; that is, $ g_k(r) > 2M-M = M $.

As the summands are positive for $ n>j $, $ f(ur) > g_k(r)=M $ on this neighborhood.

Thus $ f(ur) \to \infty $ as desired.

There is no such merromorphic function; a merromorphic function must be continuous except on a discrete set, but the roots of unity are dense on the infinite subset $ C_1(0) \cap d_\epsilon(1) $ for all $ \epsilon $, and the function diverges at every root of unity.

Problem 5

Evaluate the integral $ \displaystyle\int_0^\infty\frac {\sqrt x}{x^2+1}dx $ using techniques from complex variables.

Clinton, 2014

Consider the contour $ \gamma_R $ consisting of the subset of the real line $ [-R,R] $ followed by the upper half circle $ C_R^+ $ of $ C_R(0) $, traversed counterclockwise.

$ \displaystyle \int_{\gamma_R} \dfrac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} = \int_0^R \frac{\sqrt{x}}{x^2+1} + \int_{C_R^+} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} + \int_{0}^R \frac{i \sqrt x}{x^2+1} = (1+i)\int_0^R \frac{\sqrt{x}}{x^2+1} + \int_{C_R^+} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} $

Note that $ \displaystyle \left|\int_{C_R^+} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1}\right| \leq \pi R \max_{z \in C_R^+}\left| \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} \right| $

Which, by the basic polynomial estimate, $ \leq \pi R \frac{R^{1/2}}{AR^2}= \frac{\pi}{A} R^{-\frac 12} $ for some $ A $ and sufficiently large $ R $. As the power of $ R $ is negative, the limit as $ R \to \infty $ is zero.

Therefore $ \displaystyle\int_0^\infty \frac{\sqrt x}{x^2+1}= \frac{1}{1+i} \lim_{R \to \infty} \int_{\gamma_R} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} $

By the residue theorem, for $ R > 1 $, the integral is also equal to the residue at $ i $ (there are two simple poles at $ i,-i $, the single zeroes of the denominator). By a theorem in class, the residue at a simple pole is given by $ \operatorname{res}_a \frac {f(z)}{g(z)} = 2 \pi i\frac{f(a)}{g'(a)} $ , so

$ \displaystyle\operatorname{res}_{i} \frac{z^{1/2}}{z^2+1} = 2 \pi i \frac{\frac{1+i}{\sqrt{2}}}{2i} = (1+i)\frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2} $

So $ \displaystyle\int_0^\infty \frac{\sqrt x}{x^2+1}= \frac \pi {\sqrt 2} $

Problem 6

Suppose $ f $ is analytic on $ D_1(0) $ and $ |f(z)| < 1 $ for all $ z $ in the unit disk. Prove that if $ f(0) = a \neq 0 $, then $ f $ has no zeroes on $ D_{|a|}(0) $.


Clinton, 2014

Let $ \phi_a := \dfrac{z-a}{1-\bar a z} $, the automorphism of the unit disk $ D = D_1(0) $ taking $ a \to 0 $ and $ 0 \to -a $. Let $ g \equiv \phi_a \circ f $; then as $ f: D \to D $, $ \phi_a: D \to D $, we have $ g: D \to D $ with $ g(0) = \phi_a(a) = 0 $. So by the Schwarz lemma, $ g(z) \leq z $.

For contradiction suppose there exists $ b \in D_{|a|}(0) $ such that $ f(b) = 0 $. Then

$ |a| = |-a| = |\phi_a(0)| = |g(b)| \leq |b| < |a| $, a contradiction. Therefore no such zeroes exist.

Problem 7

Suppose $ f $ is a one-to-one entire function. Show that there exists $ a \in \mathbb C-\{0\}, b \in \mathbb C $ such that $ f(z) = az + b $.

Clinton, 2014

Consider $ g(z) \equiv f\left( \dfrac 1z \right) $. This function has a sinularity at $ 0 $; this singularity is either essential, removable, or a pole. We will next show it must be a pole.

Suppose for contradiction that it is essential. Then by Picard's theorem, it attains $ g(z)=1 $ at infinitely many points in $ \mathbb C $; however, $ \frac 1z: \mathbb C - \{0\} \to \mathbb C $ is one to one, and $ f $ is one to one, so their composition is one to one; this is a contradiction.

Suppose for contradiction that it is removable. Then $ \lim_{z \to 0}g(z) = L $ for some $ L $; so $ \forall \epsilon \exists \delta $ such that $ \left| \dfrac 1z \right| < \epsilon \implies |f(z)-L| < \epsilon $; e.g. $ \exists M = \dfrac 1\epsilon $ such that $ \forall |z|>M $, $ |f(z)|<|L|+|\epsilon| $.

Thus $ f $ is bounded and entire, so by Liouville's, it is constant. This again contradicts one-to-one.

Therefore the singularity is a pole, of some order $ n \in \mathbb N $. As discussed in class, if $ f(z) = \sum_0^\infty a_i z^i $, then $ f\left(\dfrac 1z\right) = \sum_{-\infty}^0 a_{-i} z^i $. As the singularity is a pole, only finitely many (the first $ n $) of the $ a_i $ can be nonzero. Thus, $ f = \sum_0^n a_i z^i $, a polynomial.

Next we need show $ n=1 $.

By the fundamental theorem of calculus, $ f $ has $ n $ zeroes counting multiplicity. If two are distinct, $ f $ is not one-to-one; so $ f(z) \equiv k(z-a)^n $. Suppose for contradiction $ n>1 $, and let $ \psi $ be an $ n $th root of unity. Then $ f(a+\psi)=k\psi^n=k=k(\psi^2)^n = f(a+\psi^2) $, a contradiction.

Thus $ n \leq 1 $. as $ n $ is the order of a pole, $ n \geq 1 $; so $ n=1 $, and $ f= ax+b $ for some $ a \neq 0,b $ in $ \mathbb C $.

Alumni Liaison

Abstract algebra continues the conceptual developments of linear algebra, on an even grander scale.

Dr. Paul Garrett