Let f be entire and |f| >= 1. prove f is constant

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In summary: You can also use the fact that |f(z)| ≥ 1 implies |1/f(z)| ≤ 1, and then apply the maximum modulus principle to 1/f(z). This shows that 1/f(z) is constant, which implies that f(z) is constant as well.
  • #1
DotKite
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Homework Statement


Let f(z) be entire and let |f(z)| ≥ 1 on the whole complex plane. Prove f is constant.

Homework Equations


Theorem 1: Let f be analytic in the domain D. If |f(z)| = k, where k is a constant, then f is constant.

Maximum Modulus Principle: Let f be analytic and non constant in the bounded domain D. If f is continuous on the closed region R that consists of D and all of its boundary points B, then |f(z)| assumes its max value, and does so only at points on the boundary B.

The Attempt at a Solution



Below is my attempt. Let me know if I am even in the right ballpark.

Proof:

Note that from Theorem 1 if |f(z)| = 1 then f is constant and we are done. Therefore we want to show f is constant for
|f(z)| > 1.

To show this we use contradiction. Suppose f(z) is entire, |f(z)| > 1, and f is non constant. Let D = {z: |z| < 1}. Since f is entire it is continuous on the complex plane. Consequently it is continuous on a region R consisting of D and its boundary points B. By the max modulus principle |f(z)| assumes its max value at the boundary points B. Therefore |f(z)| ≤ 1. Which is contradicts our hypothesis. Therefore f is constant.
 
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  • #2
DotKite said:
Note that from Theorem 1 if |f(z)| = 1 then f is constant and we are done. Therefore we want to show f is constant for
|f(z)| > 1.
What about an f where |f(z)|=1 somewhere, but not everywhere? You do not cover this case.

By the max modulus principle |f(z)| assumes its max value at the boundary points B.
Okay so far.

Therefore |f(z)| ≤ 1
Why? All you have is |z|<1.

That approach does not work.
 
  • #3
ok can we consider 1/|f(z)|? which is analytic since we were given f is analytic and |f|≥ 1 on the whole complex plane?

Then 1/|f(z)| ≤ 1 for all z. By liouville's theorem 1/f(z) is constant. Am i warmer?
 
Last edited:
  • #4
That works.
 

Related to Let f be entire and |f| >= 1. prove f is constant

1. What does it mean for a function to be "entire"?

An entire function is a complex-valued function that is defined and analytic at every point in the complex plane. This means that the function has a well-defined derivative at every point in its domain, and can be approximated by a power series expansion.

2. How is the absolute value of a function defined?

The absolute value of a complex function is defined as the magnitude or length of the complex number at each point in the function's domain. In other words, it is the distance from the origin to the point on the complex plane represented by the function's output.

3. Why is "f" being greater than or equal to 1 important in this statement?

This condition ensures that the function remains within a certain range, specifically a distance of 1 from the origin. This will be important for the proof, as it limits the function's behavior and helps to establish its constant nature.

4. How can you prove that a function is constant?

To prove that a function is constant, we must show that it has the same output for all inputs. In this case, we can use a theorem known as Liouville's Theorem, which states that if an entire function is bounded (as is the case with |f| >= 1), then it must be constant.

5. Can this statement be applied to functions with real inputs and outputs?

No, this statement specifically applies to functions in the complex plane. However, a similar concept can be applied to real-valued functions. In this case, the statement would be "Let f be a real-valued function that is continuous and |f| >= 1 on an interval. Then, f is a constant function."

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