4.

Complex integration: Cauchy integral theorem and Cauchy

integral formulas
Definite integral of a complex-valued function of a real variable
Consider a complex valued function f (t) of a real variable t:
f (t) = u(t) + iv(t),
which is assumed to be a piecewise continuous function defined in
the closed interval a t b. The integral of f (t) from t = a to
t = b, is defined as
Z b
a

f (t) dt =

Z b
a

u(t) dt + i

Z b
a

v(t) dt.

Properties of a complex integral with real variable of integration

1.
Re

Z b

Im

Z b

f (t) dt =

Z b
a

Re f (t) dt =

Z b
a

u(t) dt.

2.
a

f (t) dt =

Z b
a

Im f (t) dt =

Z b
a

v(t) dt.

3.
Z b
a

[1f1(t) + 2f2(t)] dt = 1

Z b
a

f1(t) dt + 2

where 1 and 2 are any complex constants.

Z b
a

f2(t) dt,

4.


Z b

Z b


 f (t) dt
|f (t)| dt.


a
 a

2

To prove (4), we consider



Z b

Z b
Z b


 f (t) dt = ei f (t) dt =
eif (t) dt,


a
a
 a



!
Z b

Z b


f (t) dt . Since  f (t) dt is real, we deduce that
where = Arg
a
 a



Z b

Z b
Z b


 f (t) dt = Re ei f (t) dt =
Re [eif (t)] dt


a
a
 a

Z b
Z b

|eif (t)| dt =
|f (t)| dt.
a
a

Example
Suppose is real, show that
|e2i 1| 2||.
Solution
Let f (t) = eit, and t are real. We obtain


Z 2

Z 2


it 
it

e
dt

|e
| dt = 2.


0
 0


The left-hand side of the above inequality is equal to




 
Z 2

 it 2 
2i 1|


e  
|e
it

 =
e
dt = 
.

 
||
 0

 i  
0

Combining the results, we obtain

|e2i 1| 2||, is real.

4

Definition of a contour integral

Consider a curve C which is a set of points z = (x, y) in the complex
plane defined by
x = x(t),

y = y(t),

a t b,

where x(t) and y(t) are continuous functions of the real parameter
t. One may write
z(t) = x(t) + iy(t), a t b.
The curve is said to be smooth if z(t) has continuous derivative
z (t) 6= 0 for all points along the curve.
A contour is defined as a curve consisting of a finite number
of smooth curves joined end to end. A contour is said to be a
simple closed contour if the initial and final values of z(t) are
the same and the contour does not cross itself.
5

 Let f (z) be any complex function defined in a domain D in the

complex plane and let C be any contour contained in D with
initial point z0 and terminal point z.
We divide the contour C into n subarcs by discrete points z0, z1, z2,
. . ., zn1, zn = z arranged consecutively along the direction of increasing t.
Let k be an arbitrary point in the subarc zk zk+1 and form the
sum
n1
X

k=0

f (k )(zk+1 zk ).

Subdivision of the contour into n subarcs by discrete points z0, z1, ,

zn1, zn = z.

We write zk = zk+1 zk . Let = max |zk | and take the limit

k
lim

n1
X

0
n k=0

f (k ) zk .

The above limit is defined to be the contour integral of f (z) along

the contour C.
If the above limit exists, then the function f (z) is said to be integrable along the contour C.
If we write
dx(t)
dy(t)
dz(t)
=
+i
, a t b,
dt
dt
dt
then
Z

Z b

dz(t)
f (z) dz =
f (z(t))
dt.
dt
C
a

Writing f (z) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y) and dz = dx + idy, we have

Z

f (z) dz =

u dx v dy + i

C
Z b"

u dy + v dx
#

dx(t)
dy(t)
=
u(x(t), y(t))
dt
v(x(t), y(t))
dt
dt
a
#
Z b"
dy(t)
dx(t)
+ i
u(x(t), y(t))
dt.
+ v(x(t), y(t))
dt
dt
a

The usual properties of real line integrals are carried over to their
complex counterparts. Some of these properties are:
(i)

(ii)

f (z) dz is independent of the parameterization of C;

f (z) dz =

f (z) dz, where C is the opposite curve of C;

(iii) The integrals of f (z) along a string of contours is equal to the

sum of the integrals of f (z) along each of these contours.
9

Example
Evaluate the integral
I

1
dz,
C z z0

where C is a circle centered at z0 and of any radius. The path is

traced out once in the anticlockwise direction.
Solution
The circle can be parameterized by
z(t) = z0 + reit , 0 t 2,
where r is any positive real number. The contour integral becomes
2
2 ireit
1
dz(t)
1
dz =
dt =
dt = 2i.
C z z0
0 z(t) z0 dt
0 reit
The value of the integral is independent of the radius r.

10

Example
Evaluate the integral
(i)

|z|2 dz and (ii)

1
dz,
2
Cz

where the contour C is

(a) the line segment with initial point 1 and final point i;
(b) the arc of the unit circle Im z 0 with initial point 1 and final
point i.
Do the two results agree?

11

Solution
(i)

Consider

|z|2 dz,

(a) Parameterize the line segment by

z = 1 + (1 + i)t,

0 t 1,

so that
|z|2 = (1 + t)2 + t2

and

dz = (1 + i) dt.

The value of the integral becomes

Z

|z|2 dz =

Z 1
0

2
2
(2t 2t + 1)(1 + i) dt = (1 + i).
3

12

(b) Along the unit circle, |z| = 1 and z = ei , dz = iei d. The initial
point and the final point of the path correspond to = and
=
2 , respectively. The contour integral can be evaluated as
Z


2
2
i
i 
|z| dz =
ie d = e  = 1 + i.
C

The results in (a) and (b) do not agree. Hence, the value of this
contour integral does depend on the path of integration.

13

(ii)

Consider

1
dz.
2
Cz

(a) line segment from 1 to i

Z

1

1
1
1
1+i

dz
=
dt
=

 = 1 = 1+i.
1 + (1 + i)t 0
i
C z2
0 [1 + (1 + i)t]2
Z 1

(b) subarc from 1 to i

Z

1
1 i
i 2
= 1 + i.
dz
=
ie
d
=
e
2
2i
Cz
e

14

Estimation of the absolute value of a complex integral

The upper bound for the absolute value of a complex integral can
be related to the length of the contour C and the absolute value of
f (z) along C. In fact,


Z



 f (z) dz  M L,


 C


where M is the upper bound of |f (z)| along C and L is the arc length
of the contour C.

15

We consider




Z

Z b





dz(t)
 f (z) dz  =  f (z(t))
dt



dt
 C

 a





Z b
 dz(t) 
 dt
|f (z(t))| 


a
 dt 




Z b
 dz(t) 
 dt

M 

a
 dt 
v
!
!2
Z bu
u dx(t) 2
dy(t)
t
= M
+
dt = M L.
dt
dt
a

16

Example
Show that


Z



1

 2, where C is the line segment joining 1 + i and 1 + i.
dz


 C z2


Solution
Along the contour C, we have z = x + i, 1 x 1, so that 1

1
1
1
|z| 2. Correspondingly,
2 1. Here, M = max 2 = 1
zC |z|
2
|z|
and the arc length L = 2. We have


Z



1

 M L = 2.
dz


 C z2


17

Example
Estimate an upper bound of the modulus of the integral
Z

Log z
I=
dz
C z 4i
where C is the circle |z| = 3.




 Log z 

Now, 

 z 4i 







 ln |z| + |Arg z|



||z| |4i||

so that





 Log z 
ln 3 +

= ln 3 + ;
max 

zC  z 4i 
|3 4|


Z



Log
z

Hence, 
dz  6( + ln 3).
 C z 4i


L = (2)(3) = 6.

18

Example
Z





z
2
Find an upper bound for  e /(z + 1) dz , where is the circle



|z| = 2 traversed once in the counterclockwise direction.

Solution

The path of integration has length L = 4. Next we seek an upper

bound M for the function ez /(z 2 + 1) when |z| = 2. Writing z =
x + iy, we have
|ez | = |ex+iy | = ex e2,

for

|z| =

and by the triangle inequality

|z 2 + 1| |z|2 1 = 4 1 = 3

for

Hence, |ez /(z 2 + 1)| e2/3 for |z| = 2, and so

Z

z


e
e2


dz 
4.

 z2 + 1

3

x2 + y 2 = 2,

|z| = 2.

19

Path independence
Under what conditions that
Z

C1

f (z) dz =

C2

f (z) dz,

where C1 and C2 are two contours in a domain D with the same

initial and final points and f (z) is piecewise continuous inside D.
The property of path independence is valid for f (z) = 12 but it fails
z
2
when f (z) = |z| . The above query is equivalent to the question:
When does
I

f (z) dz = 0

hold, where C is any closed contour lying completely inside D? The

equivalence is revealed if we treat C as C1 C2.
We observe that f (z) = z12 is analytic everywhere except at z = 0
but f (z) = |z|2 is nowhere analytic.
20

Cauchy integral theorem

Let f (z) = u(x, y)+iv(x, y) be analytic on and inside a simple closed
contour C and let f (z) be also continuous on and inside C, then
I

f (z) dz = 0.

Proof
The proof of the Cauchy integral theorem requires the Green theorem for a positively oriented closed contour C: If the two real functions P (x, y) and Q(x, y) have continuous first order partial derivatives on and inside C, then
I

P dx + Q dy =

ZZ

(Qx Py ) dxdy,

where D is the simply connected domain bounded by C.

21

Suppose we write f (z) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y), z = x + iy; we have

I

f (z) dz =

u dx v dy + i

v dx + u dy.

One can infer from the continuity of f (z) that u(x, y) and v(x, y)
have continuous derivatives on and inside C. Using the Green theorem, the two real line integrals can be transformed into double
integrals.
I

f (z) dz =

ZZ

(vx uy ) dxdy + i

ZZ

(ux vy ) dxdy.

Both integrands in the double integrals are equal to zero due to the
Cauchy-Riemann relations, hence the theorem.
In 1903, Goursat was able to obtain the same result without assuming the continuity of f (z).

22

Goursat Theorem
If a function f (z) is analytic throughout a simply connected domain
D, then for any simple closed contour C lying completely inside D,
we have
I

f (z) dz = 0.

Corollary 1
The integral of a function f (z) which is analytic throughout a simply
connected domain D depends on the end points and not on the
particular contour taken. Suppose and are inside D, C1 and C2
are any contours inside D joining to , then
Z

C1

f (z) dz =

C2

f (z) dz.

23

Example
If C is the curve y = x3 3x2 + 4x 1 joining points (1, 1) and (2, 3),
find the value of
Z

(12z 2 4iz) dz.

Method 1 . The integral is independent of the path joining (1, 1)

and (2, 3). Hence any path can be chosen. In particular, let us
choose the straight line paths from (1, 1) to (2, 1) and then from
(2, 1) to (2, 3).
Case 1 Along the path from (1, 1) to (2, 1), y = 1, dy = 0 so that
z = x + iy = x + i, dz = dx. Then the integral equals
2


2
3
2
{12(x + i) 4i(x + i)} dx = {4(x + i) 2i(x + i) } = 20 + 30i.

1
1

Z 2

24

Case 2 Along the path from (2, 1) to (2, 3), x = 2, dx = 0 so that

z = x + iy = 2 + iy, dz = idy. Then the integral equals
3

2
3
2 
{12(2+iy) 4i(2+iy)}i dy = {4(2+iy) 2i(2+iy) } = 176+8i.

1
1

Z 3

Then adding, the required value = (20 + 30i) + (176 + 8i) =

156 + 38i.
Method 2 .
Z 2+3i
1+i

The given integral equals

2+3i


2
3
2
(12z 4iz) dz = (4z 2iz )
= 156 + 38i.

1+i

It is clear that Method 2 is easier.

25

Corollary 2
Let f (z) be analytic throughout a simply connected domain D. Consider a fixed point z0 D; by virtue of Corollary 1,
F (z) =

Z z

z0

f () d, for any z D,

is a well-defined function in D. Considering

z+z
F (z + z) F (z)
1
f (z) =
[f () f (z)] d.
z
z z

By the Cauchy Theorem, the last integral is independent of the path

joining z and z + z so long as the path is completely inside D. We
choose the path as the straight line segment joining z and z + z
and choose |z| small enough so that it is completely inside D.

26

By continuity of f (z), we have for all points u on this straight line

path
|f (u) f (z)| <

whenever

|u z| < .

Note that |z| < is observed implicitly.

27

We have

so that

Z

 z+z



[f (u) f (z)] du < |z|

 z




Z

 F (z + z) F (z)



z+z
1 



f (z) =
[f (u) f (z)] du <





z
|z|  z

for |z| < . This amounts to say

F (z + z) F (z)
= f (z),
z0
z
that is, F (z) = f (z) for all z in D. Hence, F (z) is analytic in D
since F (z) exists at all points in D (which is an open set).
lim

28

 This corollary may be considered as a complex counterpart of

the fundamental theorem of real calculus.
If we integrate f (z) along any contour joining and inside D,
then the value of the integral is given by
Z

f (z) dz =

Z
z0

f () d

= F () F (),

z0

f () d
and D.

29

Corollary 3
Let C, C1, C2, . . ., Cn be positively oriented closed contours, where
C1, C2, . . ., Cn are all inside C. For C1, C2, . . ., Cn, each of these
contours lies outside of the other contours. Let int Ci denote the
collection of all points bounded inside Ci. Let f (z) be analytic on
the set S : C int C \ int C1 \ int C2 \ \ int Cn (see the shaded
area in Figure), then
I

f (z) dz =

n I
X

k=1 Ck

f (z) dz.

30

The proof for the case when n = 2 is presented below.

31

Proof
The constructed boundary curve is composed of C C1 C2
and the cut lines, each cut line travels twice in opposite directions.
To explain the negative signs in front of C1 and C2, we note that
the interior contours traverse in the clockwise sense as parts of
the positively oriented boundary curve.
With the introduction of these cuts, the shaded region bounded
within this constructed boundary curve becomes a simply connected set.
We have
I

f (z) dz +

so that
I

C1

f (z) dz =

f (z) dz +

C1

C2

f (z) dz +

f (z) dz = 0,

C2

f (z) dz.
32

Example
Let D be the domain that contains the whole complex plane except
the origin and the negative real axis. Let be an arbitrary contour
lying completely inside D, and starts from 1 and ends at a point
. Show that
Z
dz
= Log .
z
Solution
Let 1 be the line segment from 1 to || along the real axis, and
2 be a circular arc centered at the origin and of radius || which
extends from || to . The union 1 2 forms a closed
contour. Since the integrand 1z is analytic everywhere inside D, by
the Cauchy integral theorem, we have
Z

dz
dz
dz
=
+
.
z
1 z
2 z
33

The contour starts from z = 1 and ends at z = . The arc 2 is

part of the circle |z| = ||.

34

Since cannot lie on the negative real axis, so Arg cannot assume
the value . If we write = ||eiArg ( < Arg < ), then
Z

|| dt
dz
=
= ln ||
z
t
1
1

Z Arg
dz
irei
=
d = i Arg .
i
re
2 z
0
Combining the results,
Z

dz
= ln || + i Arg = Log .
z

Note that the given domain D is the domain of definition of Log z,

the principal branch of the complex logarithm function.

35

Poisson integral
2
z
Consider the integration of the function e
around the rectangular

contour with vertices a, a+ib and oriented positively. By letting

a while keeping b fixed, show that
Z
Z
2
2
2
x
2ibx
x
b
e
e
e
dx =
cos 2bx dx = e
.

(a, b)

(a, b)

(a, 0)

(a, 0)

The configuration of the closed rectangular contour .

36

Solution
2
z
Since e
is an entire function, we have
I
2
ez dz = 0,

by virtue of the Cauchy integral theorem. The closed contour

consists of four line segments: = 1 2 3 4, where
1 = {x : a x a},

2 = {a + iy : 0 y b},

3 = {x + ib : a x a},
4 = {a + iy : 0 y b},

and is oriented in the anticlockwise direction.

37

The contour integral can be split into four contour integrals, namely,
I

z 2

dz =

z 2

dz +

z 2

dz +

z 2

dz +

ez dz.

The four contour integrals can be expressed as real integrals as

follows:
Z
Z
Z

1
2

z 2

z 2

dz =
dz =

ez dz =

Z a

a
Z b

Z 0
b

i dy,
2

e(x+ib) dx,

b2

ez dz =

dx,

(a+iy)2

0
Z a

= e
Z

x2

Z a

x2

cos 2bx dx i

e(a+iy) i dy.

Z a

x2

sin 2bx dx ,

38

First, we consider the bound on the modulus of the second integral.



Z



2
z

e
dz 

 2


Z b
0

2
2
|e(a y +2iay)i| dy

a2

= e

e
=
Therefore, the value of

beb

Z b

0
Z b
2
0

b2

2
ea
Z

ey dy
dy

(since 0 y b)

0 as a and b is fixed.
z 2

dz 0 as a .

By similar argument, the fourth integral can be shown to be zero

as a .

39

lim

z 2

dz =

lim

Z a

x2

a

+ i lim

eb

so that
Z

x2

cos 2bx dx i

x2

b2

dx e

Z
2 a

Z a

x2

x2

cos 2bx dx

sin 2bx dx = 0,

b2

sin 2bx dx = e

x2

b2

dx = e

Either by equating the imaginary parts of the above equation or

2
observing that ex sin 2bx is odd, we deduce
Z

Hence, we obtain
Z

x2

2ibx

x2

dx =

sin 2bx dx = 0.

x2

b2

cos 2bx dx = e

40

Cauchy integral formula

Let the function f (z) be analytic on and inside a positively oriented
simple closed contour C and z is any point inside C, then
I

1
f ()
f (z) =
d.
2i C z
Proof
We draw a circle Cr , with radius r around the point z, small enough
()
to be completely inside C. Since fz
is analytic in the region lying
between Cr and C, we have
I

1
1
f ()
f ()
d =
d
2i C z
2i Cr z
I
I
1
f () f (z)
f (z)
1
=
d +
d.
2i Cr
z
2i Cr z

The last integral is seen to be equal to f (z). To complete the proof,

it suffices to show that the first integral equals zero.
41

y
C
Cr

The contour C is deformed to the circle Cr , which encircles the

point z.

42

Since f is continuous at z, for each > 0, there exists > 0 such

that
|f () f (z)| <

whenever

| z| < .

Now, suppose we choose r < (it is necessary to guarantee that

Cr lies completely inside the contour C), the modulus of the first
integral is bounded by


 1 I f () f (z)



d 

 2i Cr

z

1
|f () f (z)|

|d|
2 Cr
| z|
I
1
=
|f () f (z)| |d|
2r ICr

<
|d| =
2r = .
2r Cr
2r
Since the modulus of the above integral is less than any positive
number , however small, so the value of that integral is zero.

43

By the Cauchy integral formula, the value of f (z) at any point inside
the closed contour C is determined by the values of the function
along the boundary contour C.
Example
Apply the Cauchy integral formula to the integral
I

to show that

ekz
dz,
|z|=1 z
Z 2
0
Z 2
0

k is a real constant,

ek cos sin(k sin ) d = 0

ek cos cos(k sin ) d = 2.

44

Solution
By Cauchys integral formula:
On the other hand,
2i =

= i




kz
= 2i.
dz = (2i)e 
|z|=1 z

z=0

ekz

2 ek(cos +i sin )
ekz
i
dz =
ie
d
ei
|z|=1 z
0

Z 2
0

ek cos [cos(k sin ) + i sin(k sin )] d.

Equating the real and imaginary parts, we obtain

0 =
2 =

Z 2
0
Z 2
0

ek cos sin(k sin ) d

ek cos cos(k sin ) d.

45

Example
Evaluate
sin z 2 + cos z 2
dz,
C (z 1)(z 2)

where C is the circle: |z i| = 3.

Solution

sin z 2 + cos z 2
sin z 2 + cos z 2
sin z 2 + cos z 2
dz =
dz
dz
z2
z1
C (z 1)(z 2)
C
C

By Cauchys integral formula, we have

sin z 2 + cos z 2
dz = 2i{sin (2)2 + cos (2)2} = 2i
z2
C
I
sin z 2 + cos z 2
dz = 2i{sin (1)2 + cos (1)2} = 2i
z1
C
I

since z = 1 and z = 2 are inside C and sin z 2 + cos z 2 is analytic

on and inside C. The integral has the value 2i (2i) = 4i.
46

Remark
Alternately, by Corollary 3 of the Cauchy Integral Theorem, we have
sin z 2 + cos z 2
dz =
C (z 1)(z 2)

(sin z 2 + cos z 2)/(z 2)

dz
z1
C1
I
(sin z 2 + cos z 2)/(z 1)
+
dz,
z2
C2
where C1 and C2 are closed contours completely inside C, C1 encircles the point z = 1 while C2 encircles the point z = 2.
I

47

sin z 2 + cos z 2
By the Cauchy Integral formula, choosing f (z) =
,
z2
we obtain
I

f (z)
sin + cos
dz = 2if (1) = 2i
= 2i.
1
C1 z 1
In a similar manner
I

C2

(sin z 2 + cos z 2)/(z 1)

z2


2
2
sin z + cos z 
dz = 2i


z1

= 2i.
z=2

Hence, the integral is equal to 2i + 2i = 4i.

48

The Cauchy integral formula can be extended to the case where the
simple closed contour C can be replaced by the oriented boundary
of a multiply connected domain.
Suppose C, C1, C2, . . . , Cn and f (z) are given the same conditions
as in Corollary 3, then for any point z C int C \ int C1 \
int C2 \ \ int Cn, we have
n
X
1
f ()
1
f ()
f (z) =
d
d.
2i C z
2i Ck z
k=1

49

Derivatives of contour integrals

Suppose we differentiate both sides of the Cauchy integral formula
formally with respect to z (holding fixed), assuming that differentiation under the integral sign is legitimate, we obtain
I

f ()
1
d f ()
1
f ()
1 d

d =
d =
d.
f (z) =
2i dz C z
2i C dz z
2i C ( z)2
How to justify the legitimacy of direct differentiation of the Cauchy
integral formula? First, consider the expression
I

f (z + h) f (z)
1
f ()

d
2
h "
2i C ( z)
(
#
)
I
1
1
f ()
f ()
f ()
=

h
d
2
h 2i C z h z
( z)
I
h
f ()
=
d.
2
2i C ( z h) ( z)
50

It suffices to show that the value of the last integral goes to zero
as h 0. To estimate the value of the last integral, we draw the
circle C2d: | z| = 2d inside the domain bounded by C and choose
h such that 0 < |h| < d.
For every point on the curve C, it is outside the circle C2d so that
| z| > d

and

| z h| > d.

Let M be the upper bound of |f (z)| on C and L is the total arc

length of C. Using the modulus inequality and together with the
above inequalities, we obtain




I
 h

f
()
|h| M L


d
.


2
3
2 d
 2i C ( z h) ( z)


51

In the limit h 0, we observe that





I
 h

f
()
|h| M L


lim 
d  lim
= 0;
3
h0  2i C ( z h)( z)2
h0
2
d


therefore,

f (z + h) f (z)
1
f ()

f (z) = lim
=
d.
h0
h
2i C ( z)2
By induction, we can show the general result
I

f ()
k!
f (z) =
d,
k = 1, 2, 3, ,
2i C ( z)k+1
for any z inside C. This result is called the generalized Cauchy
Integral Formula.
(k)

52

Theorem
If a function f (z) is analytic at a point, then its derivatives of all
orders are also analytic at the same point.
Proof
Suppose f is analytic at a point z0, then there exists a neighborhood
of z0 : |z z0| < throughout which f is analytic. Take C0 to be
a positively oriented circle centered at z0 and with radius /2 such
that f is analytic inside and on C0. We then have
I

f ()
1
d
f (z) =
3
i C0 ( z)

at each point z interior to C0. The existence of f (z) throughout

the neighborhood: |z z0| < /2 means that f is analytic at z0.
Repeating the argument to the analytic function f , we can conclude
that f is analytic at z0.
53

Remarks
(i) The above theorem is limited to complex functions only. In
fact, no similar statement can be made on real differentiable
functions. It is easy to find examples of real valued function
f (x) such that f (x) exists but not so for f (x) at certain points.
(ii) Suppose we express an analytic function inside a domain D as
f (z) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y), z = x + iy. Since its derivatives of
all orders are analytic functions, it then follows that the partial derivatives of u(x, y) and v(x, y) of all orders exist and are
continuous.

54

To see this, since f (z) exists, we consider

2v
2v
2u
2u

+i 2 =
i
+i
f (z) =
from f (z) =
x2
x
yx
yx
x
x

or
f (z) =

2v
xy

2u
xy

2u

2v

"

v
u

i
from
f
(z)
=

i
.
2
2
y
y
y
y

The continuity of f implies that all second order partials of u and

v are continuous at points where f is analytic. Continuing with the
process, we obtain the result.
The mere assumption of the analyticity of f (z) on and inside C is
sufficient to guarantee the existence of the derivatives of f (z) of all
orders. Moreover, the derivatives are all continuous on and inside
C.

55

Example
Suppose f (z) is defined by the integral

find f (1 + i).

3 2 + 7 + 1
f (z) =
d,
z
||=3
I

Solution
Setting k = 1 in the generalized Cauchy integral formula,
3 2 + 7 + 1
f (z) =
d
( z)2
||=3
I
3( z)2 + (6z + 7)( z) + 3z 2 + 7z + 1
=
d
( z)2
||=3
I
I
1
3 d + (6z + 7)
d
=
||=3
||=3 z
I
1
+ (3z 2 + 7z + 1)
d.
2
||=3 ( z)

56

The first integral equals zero since the integrand is entire (a constant
function). For the second integral, we observe that
I

1
d =
||=3 z

0 if |z| > 3
.
2i if |z| < 3

Furthermore, we deduce that the third integral is zero since

I

1
d
d =
2
dz
||=3 ( z)

Combining the results, we have

"I

1
d = 0.
||=3 z

f (z) = (2i)(6z + 7)

if |z| < 3.

We observe that 1 + i is inside |z| < 3 since |1 + i| = 2 < 3.

Therefore, we obtain
f (1 + i) = 2i [6(1 + i) + 7] = 12 + 26i.

57

Example
Evaluate
e2z
dz, where C is the circle |z| = 3.
4
(z
+
1)
C

Solution
Let f (z) = e2z and a = 1 in the Cauchy integral formula
I

f (z)
n!
(n)
dz.
f (a) =
n+1
2i C (z a)

If n = 3, then f (z) = 8e2z and f (1) = 8e2. Hence,

3!
8e2 =
2i

e2z
dz
4
(z + 1)

from which we see the required integral has the value 8ie2/3.
58

Cauchy inequality
Suppose f (z) is analytic on and inside the disc |zz0| = r, 0 < r < ,
and let
M (r) =

max |f (z)|,

|zz0|=r

then
|f (k) (z)|
M (r)

,
k
k!
r

k = 0, 1, 2, . . . .

This inequality follows from the generalized Cauchy integral formula.

59

Example
Suppose f (z) is analytic inside the unit circle |z| = 1 and

show that

1
,
|f (z)|
1 |z|
n
1
.
|f (n)(0)| (n + 1)! 1 +
n


Solution
()
n , where f () is analytic
We integrate fn+1
around the circle || = n+1

on and inside the circle. Using the generalized Cauchy integral

formula, we have

n!
f ()
(n)
f (0) =
d
n
n+1
2i ||= n+1
60


n
i


Z 2
f n+1 e
n!
n
=
ei i d

n+1
n
2i 0
n+1
i(n+1)
e
n+1

n


Z
1
n! 2
n
f
= 1+
ei ein d.
n
2 0
n+1

The modulus |f (n) (0)| is bounded by

|f (n) (0)|



n

Z 2  

1
n
n!
i 

1+
f
e
 d
n
2 0 
n+1



Z
1 n n! 2
1


1+

d
n
1 n+1

n
2 0


1 n n!
= 1+
[(n + 1) 2]
n  2

1 n
= (n + 1)! 1 +
.
n

61

Gauss mean value theorem

If f (z) is analytic on and inside the disc Cr : |z z0| = r, then
Z
1 2
f (z0) =
f (z0 + rei ) d.
2 0

Proof
From the Cauchy integral formula, we have
f (z0) =
=
=
Write u(z) = Re f (z), it

1
f (z)
dz
2i Cr z z0
Z 2
1
f (z0 + rei )irei
d
i
2iZ 0
re
1 2
f (z0 + rei ) d.
2 0
is known that u is harmonic. We have

1 2
u(z0) =
u(z0 + rei ) d.
2 0
Z

62

Example
Find the mean value of x2 y 2 + x on the circle |z i| = 2.
Solution
First, we observe that x2 y 2 + x = Re(z 2 + z). The mean value
is defined by
Z
1 2
u(i + 2ei ) d,
2 0

where u(z) = Re(z 2 + z). By Gauss mean value theorem,

Z
1 2

2 0




i
2
u(i + 2e ) d = Re(z + z)


z=i

= Re(1 + i) = 1.

63

Maximum modulus theorem

If f (z) is analytic on and inside a domain D bounded by a simple
closed curve C, then the maximum value of |f (z)| occurs on C,
unless f (z) is a constant.
Example
Find the maximum value of |z 2 + 3z 1| in the disk |z| 1.
Solution
The triangle inequality gives
|z 2 + 3z 1| |z 2| + 3|z| + 1 5,

for |z| 1.

64

However, the maximum value is actually smaller than this, as the

following analysis shows.
The maximum of |z 2 +3z1| must occur on the boundary of the disk
(|z| = 1). The latter can be parameterized as z = eit , 0 t 2;
whence
|z 2 + 3z 1|2 = (ei2t + 3eit 1)(ei2t + 3eit 1).
Expanding and gathering terms reduces this to (112 cos 2t), whose
maximum value is 13. The maximum value is obtained by taking
t = /2 or t = 3/2.
Thus the maximum value of |z 2 + 3z 1| is

13, which occurs at

z = i.

65

Example
Let R denote the rectangular region:
0 x ,

0 y 1,

the modulus of the entire function

f (z) = sin z
has a maximum value in R that occurs on the boundary.
To verify the claim, consider
|f (z)| =

sin2 x + sinh2 y,

the term sin2 x is greatest at x = /2 and the increasing function

sinh2 y is greatest when y = 1. The
 maximum value of |f (z)| in R

occurs at the boundary point

, 1 and at no other point in R.
2
66

Proof of the Maximum Modulus Theorem

Proof by contradiction. Suppose |f (z)| attains its maximum at
D. Using the Gauss Mean Value Theorem:
1 2
f ( + rei ) d
f () =
2 0
where the neighborhood N (; r) lies inside D. By the modulus inequality,
Z
1 2
|f ()|
|f ( + rei )| d.
2 0
Z

Since |f ()| is a maximum, then |f (+rei )| |f ()| for all , giving

1 2
1 2
i
|f ( + re )| d
|f ()| d = |f ()|.
2 0
2 0
Combining the results, we obtain
Z

Z 2
0

[|f ()| |f ( + rei )|] d = 0.

|

{z

non-negative

67

One then infer that |f ()| = |f ( + rei )|. However, it may be

possible to have |f ( + rei )| < |f ()| at isolated points. We argue
that this is not possible due to continuity of f (z).
If |f ( + rei )| < |f ()| at a single point, then |f ( + rei )| < |f ()|
for a finite arc on the circle, giving
1 2
|f ( + rei )| d < |f ()|,
2 0
a contradiction. We can then deduce that
Z

|f ()| = |f ( + rei )|
for all points on the circle.
Since r can be any value, |f (z)| is constant in any neighborhood
of lying inside D.

68

Finally, we need to show that |f (z)| is constant at any point in D.

Take any z D, we can join to z by a curve lying completely
inside D. Taking a sequence of points z0 = , z1, , zn = z such
that each of these points is the center of a disc (plus its boundary)
lying completely inside D and zk is contained in the disk centered at
zk1, k = 1, 2, , n.
We then have |f (z1)| = |f ()|. Also z2 is contained inside the disc
centered at z1, so |f (z2)| = |f (z1)|, , and deductively |f (z)| =
|f ()|.
Lastly, we use the result that if |f (z)| = constant throughout D,
then f (z) = constant throughout D.

69

Liouvilles Theorem
If f is entire and bounded in the complex plane, then f (z) is constant
throughout the plane.
Proof
f ()
( z)2
around CR : | z| = R. By the generalized Cauchy integral formula
It suffices to show that f (z) = 0 for all z C. We integrate
I

1
f ()

f (z) =
d,
2i CR ( z)2

which remains valid for any sufficiently large R since f (z) is entire.
Since f (z) is bounded, so |f (z)| B for all z C,
I



1
f ()
1 B
B


|f (z)| =
d
2R
=
.


2
2


2 CR ( z)
2 R
R

70

Now, B is independent of R and R can be arbitrarily large. The

inequality can hold for arbitrarily large values of R only if f (z) = 0.
Since the choice of z is arbitrary, this means that f (z) = 0 everywhere in the complex plane. Consequently, f is a constant function.
Remark
Non-constant entire functions must be unbounded. For example,
sin z and cos z are unbounded, unlike their real counterparts.

71