PROPERTIES OF

ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS
3.2 Properties of Analytic Functions

Definition:(Laplace Equation)
𝜕2 𝜑 𝜕2 𝜑
An expression of the form + = 0 is known as the
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
2
Laplace equation in two dimensions. [i.e., 𝛻 𝜑 = 0]

Definition:(Harmonic Function)

Any function of 𝑥 and 𝑦 which possesses continuous first

and second order partial derivatives and satisfies Laplace’s
equation is called a Harmonic function.
Properties of Analytic functions:
Property-1: If 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is an analytic function of 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦,
then 𝑢 and 𝑣 satisfy Laplace equation. [ 𝑖. 𝑒 𝛻 2 𝑢 = 0 & 𝛻 2 𝑣 = 0]
Proof:
Given 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is an analytic function of 𝑧. Then, we have
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣
(𝑖) = 𝑖𝑖 =−
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
Differentiating (𝑖) w.r.to 𝑥 and (𝑖𝑖) w.r.to 𝑦, we get
𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑣
= and = −
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣
Since = , adding the above two equations
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥

𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣
+ 2 = − =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
⟹ + 2 =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦

Similarly, differentiating (𝑖) w.r.to 𝑦 and (𝑖𝑖) w.r.to 𝑥, we get

𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑣
= and = − 2
𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑢
⟹ = and = −
𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
Since = , adding the above two equations
𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦𝜕𝑥

𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
+ 2 = − =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣
⟹ + =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

∴ 𝑢 and 𝑣 satisfy Laplace equation

Property-2: If 𝑤 = 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 + 𝑖𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) is analytic function, then the curves
of the family 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐1 and the curves of the family 𝑣 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐2 cut
orthogonally where 𝑐1 and 𝑐2 are varying constants.
Proof:
Consider, 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐1
Differentiating both sides, we get
𝑑𝑢 = 0

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
⟹ 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
⟹ 𝑑𝑦 =− 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝜕𝑢
𝜕𝑥
⟹ = − 𝜕𝑢 = 𝑚1 (say), where 𝑚1 is the slope of the
𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑦

curve 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐1 .
Consider, 𝑣 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐2
Similarly, differentiating both sides, we get
𝑑𝑣 = 0
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
⟹ 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
⟹ 𝑑𝑦 =− 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝜕𝑣
⟹ = − 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑥 = 𝑚2 (say), where 𝑚2 is the slope of the curve
𝑑𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐2 .
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝑚1 𝑚2 = − 𝜕𝑢 × − 𝜕𝑣
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑢 −𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝑥
= 𝜕𝑢 × 𝜕𝑢 = −1
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥

𝑚1 𝑚2 = −1
 This is true at the point of intersection of the two curves
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐1 and 𝑣 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑐2 .

Thus these curves cut orthogonally.

Propertiy-3: If 𝑓(𝑧) and 𝑓(𝑧) are analytic in a region D, then 𝑓(𝑧) is

constant in that region D.

Proof:

Given 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is analytic function of 𝑧. Then, we have

𝑢𝑥 = 𝑣𝑦 and 𝑢𝑦 = −𝑣𝑥 ⟶ (1)

And also 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑢 − 𝑖𝑣 is analytic function of 𝑧. Then, we have

𝑢𝑥 = −𝑣𝑦 and 𝑢𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 ⟶ (2)

From (1) and (2), we get 𝑣𝑦 = −𝑣𝑦 and −𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑥

⟹ 2𝑣𝑦 = 0 and 2𝑣𝑥 = 0

⟹ 𝑣𝑦 = 0 and 𝑣𝑥 = 0

Therefore (1) becomes, 𝑢𝑥 = 0 and 𝑢𝑦 = 0

∴ 𝑢𝑥 = 𝑢𝑦 = 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑦 = 0

⟹ 𝑢 and 𝑣 are independent of 𝑥 and 𝑦.

⟹ 𝑢 and 𝑣 are constants.

Hence, 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is constant.
Problem based on Properties:
1) If 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is a regular function of z, prove that
𝜕2 𝜕2 2
+ 𝑓(𝑧) = 4 𝑓′(𝑧) 2 .
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
Solution:
Let 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 be the analytic function of 𝑧.
2
Then 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 ⟶ (1)
Also 𝑓 ′ 𝑧 = 𝑢𝑥 + 𝑖𝑣𝑥 ⟹ 𝑓′(𝑧) 2 = 𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2 ⟶ (2)
Differentiating (1) w.r.to 𝑥 partially, we get
𝜕 2
𝑓(𝑧) = 2𝑢𝑢𝑥 + 2𝑣𝑣𝑥
𝜕𝑥

Differentiating again w.r.to 𝑥 partially, we get

𝜕2 2
2
𝑓 𝑧 = 2(𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑥 2 ) + 2(𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥 2 )
𝜕𝑥
 𝜕2 2 2
⟹ 𝑓 𝑧 = 2(𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 ) + 2(𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 ) ⟶ (3)
𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕2 2 2
Similarly, 𝑓 𝑧 = 2(𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 ) + 2(𝑢𝑦 2 + 𝑣𝑦 ) ⟶ (4)
𝜕𝑦 2
Adding (3) and (4), we get
𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2 2
+ 𝑓 𝑧 = 2𝑢 𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 2𝑣 𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦𝑦 + 2(𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑢𝑦 2 + 𝑣𝑦 )
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

Since 𝑓 𝑧 is analytic, by Property-1, 𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑦𝑦 = 0 and 𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 0.

and by C-R equations, 𝑢𝑥 = 𝑣𝑦 and 𝑢𝑦 = −𝑣𝑥 , then
𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2 2
+ 𝑓 𝑧 = 2𝑢 0 + 2𝑣 0 + 2(𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 + (−𝑣𝑥 )2 + 𝑢𝑥 )
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2 2
⟹ + 𝑓 𝑧 = 2(𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥 2 + 𝑢𝑥 )
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2 2
⟹ + 𝑓 𝑧 = 2(2𝑢𝑥 + 2𝑣𝑥 )
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
 𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2 2
⟹ + 𝑓 𝑧 = 4(𝑢𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥 )
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2
⟹ + 𝑓 𝑧 = 4 𝑓′(𝑧)
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

Hence proved.
2) If 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is a regular function of 𝑧, prove that
𝜕2 𝜕2
𝛻2 log 𝑓(𝑧) = 0. (i.e.) + log 𝑓(𝑧) = 0.
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
Proof:
Let 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 be the analytic function of 𝑧.

Then 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2

1
∴ log 𝑓(𝑧) = log 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 1/2 = log(𝑢2 +𝑣 2 ) ⟶ (1)
2
Differentiating (1) w.r.to 𝑥 partially, we get
𝜕 1 𝑢𝑢𝑥 +𝑣𝑣𝑥
{log 𝑓(𝑧) } = 2𝑢𝑢𝑥 + 2𝑣𝑣𝑥 =
𝜕𝑥 2(𝑢2 +𝑣 2 ) 𝑢2 +𝑣 2

Differentiating again w.r.to 𝑥 partially, we get

𝜕2
2 {log 𝑓(𝑧) }
𝜕𝑥

(𝑢2 +𝑣 2 ) 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥 2 − (𝑢𝑢𝑥 + 𝑣𝑣𝑥 )(2𝑢𝑢𝑥 + 2𝑣𝑣𝑥 )

=
(𝑢2 +𝑣 2 )2

𝜕2 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 +𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 +𝑣𝑥 2 2 𝑢𝑢𝑥 +𝑣𝑣𝑥 2

(i.e) {log 𝑓(𝑧) } = − -----(2)
𝜕𝑥 2 𝑢2 +𝑣 2 (𝑢2 +𝑣 2 )2

Similarly,
2
𝜕2 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 +𝑢𝑦 2 +𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 +𝑣𝑦 2 2 𝑢𝑢𝑦 +𝑣𝑣𝑦
{log 𝑓(𝑧) } = − ----(3)
𝜕𝑦 2 𝑢2 +𝑣 2 (𝑢2 +𝑣 2 }2
(2) + (3) gives
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝑢 𝑢𝑥𝑥 +𝑢𝑦𝑦 +𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣(𝑣𝑥𝑥 +𝑣𝑦𝑦 )+𝑣𝑥 2 +𝑢𝑦 2 +𝑣𝑦 2
+ 2 {log 𝑓(𝑧) } =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 𝑢2 +𝑣 2

2(𝑢2 𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣 2 𝑣𝑥 2 +2𝑢𝑣𝑢𝑥 𝑣𝑥 +𝑢2 𝑢𝑦 2 +𝑣 2 𝑣𝑦 2 +2𝑢𝑣𝑢𝑦 𝑣𝑦 )

−
(𝑢2 +𝑣 2 }2

Since 𝑓 𝑧 is analytic, by Property-1, 𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑦𝑦 = 0 and

𝑣𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 0 and by C-R equations, 𝑢𝑥 = 𝑣𝑦 and 𝑢𝑦 = −𝑣𝑥 .

𝜕2 𝜕2 𝑢 0 +𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣(0)+𝑣𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2 +𝑢𝑥 2

Then, + 2 {log 𝑓(𝑧) } =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 𝑢2 +𝑣 2

2(𝑢2 𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣 2 𝑣𝑥 2 +2𝑢𝑣𝑢𝑥 𝑣𝑥+𝑢2 𝑣𝑥2 +𝑣 2 𝑢𝑥 2 −2𝑢𝑣𝑢𝑥 𝑣𝑥)

−
(𝑢2 +𝑣 2 }2
𝜕2 𝜕2 2(𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2 ) 2 𝑢2 (𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2 )+𝑣 2 (𝑣𝑥 2 +𝑢𝑥 2 )
+ {log 𝑓(𝑧) } = −
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝑢2 +𝑣 2 (𝑢2 +𝑣 2 }2

2(𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2 ) 2 𝑢2 +𝑣 2 )(𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2

= −
𝑢2 +𝑣 2 (𝑢2 +𝑣 2 )2

2(𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2 ) 2(𝑢𝑥 2 +𝑣𝑥 2 )

= − =0
𝑢2 +𝑣 2 𝑢2 +𝑣 2

𝜕2 𝜕2
+ {log 𝑓(𝑧) } = 0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

(i.e.) 𝛻 2 log 𝑓(𝑧) =0

3) If 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is a analytic function of 𝑍, prove that
𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2
+ 𝑅𝑒𝑓(𝑧) = 2 𝑓′(𝑧)
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2

Solution:
 𝜕2 𝜕2
∴ 2
+ 2 𝑢2 = 2(𝑢 𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑢𝑦 2 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
= 2(𝑢 0 + 𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2 )
Since f(z) is analytic, by property-1
= 2(𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2 )
= 2 𝑓′(𝑧) 2
Hence proved

4) Prove that 𝑢 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 is harmonic.

Solution:
Given 𝑢 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑦 2
𝑢𝑥 = 2 − 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 ⟹ 𝑢𝑥𝑥 = −6𝑥 and
𝑢𝑦 = 6𝑥𝑦 ⟹ 𝑢𝑦𝑦 = 6𝑥
Now, 𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑢𝑦𝑦 = −6𝑥 + 6𝑥 = 0
Hence, u is harmonic
5) Show that 𝑣 = sinh 𝑥 cos 𝑦 is harmonic.
Solution:

x
Exercise:

1. If 𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑢 + 𝑖𝑣 is a analytic function of 𝑍, prove that

𝜕2 𝜕2 2 2
+ 2 𝐼𝑚𝑓(𝑧) = 2 𝑓′(𝑧)
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦

2. Prove that u = 𝑒 𝑥 (𝑥 cos 𝑦 − 𝑦 sin 𝑦) is harmonic.

1
3. Show that u = (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) is a harmonic function.
2

4. Show that 𝑣 = cosh 𝑥 sin 𝑦 is harmonic.

5. Show that u = 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑦 3 is harmonic.