20 Conformal Mappings

EXERCISES 20.1
Complex Functions as Mappings

3. For w = z 2 , u = x2 − y 2 and v = 2xy. If xy = 1, v = 2 and so the hyperbola xy = 1 is mapped onto the line
v = 2.

6. If θ = π/4, then v = θ = π/4. In addition u = loge r will vary from −∞ to ∞. The image is therefore the
horizontal line v = π/4.

9. For w = ez , u = ex cos y and v = ex sin y. Therefore if ex cos y = 1, u = 1. The curve ex cos y = 1 is mapped
sin y
into the line u = 1. Since v = = tan y, v varies from −∞ to ∞ and the image is the line u = 1.
cos y
1 x −y
12. For w = , u = 2 and v = 2 . The line y = 0 is mapped to the line v = 0, and, from
z x + y2 x + y2
Problem 2, the line y = 1 is mapped onto the circle |w + 12 i| = 12 . Since f ( 12 i) = −2i, the region 0 ≤ y ≤ 1 is
mapped onto the points in the half-plane v ≤ 0 which are on or outside the circle |w + 12 i| = 12 . (The image
does not include the point w = 0.)
15. The mapping w = z + 4i is a translation which maps the circle |z| = 1 to a circle of radius r = 1 and with center
w = 4i. This circle may be described by |w − 4i| = 1.
√
18. Since w = (1 + i)z = 2 eiπ/4 z, the mapping is the composite of a rotation through 45◦ and a magnification by
√
α = 2 . The image of the first quadrant is therefore the angular wedge π/4 ≤ Arg w ≤ 3π/4.
21. We first let z1 = z − i to map the region 1 ≤ y ≤ 4 to the region 0 ≤ y1 ≤ 3. We then let w = e−iπ/2 z1 to rotate
this strip through −90◦ . Therefore w = −i(z − i) = −iz − 1 maps 1 ≤ y ≤ 4 to the strip 0 ≤ u ≤ 3.
24. The mapping w = iz will rotate the strip −1 ≤ x ≤ 1 through 90◦ so that the strip −1 ≤ v ≤ 1 results.
27. By Example 1, Section 20.1, z1 = ez maps the strip 0 ≤ y ≤ π onto the upper half-plane y1 ≥ 0, or
3/2
0 ≤ Arg z1 ≤ π. The power function w = z1 changes the opening of this wedge by a factor of 3/2 so the wedge
0 ≤ Arg w ≤ 3π/2 results. The composite of these two mappings is w = (ez )3/2 = e3z/2 .
30. The mapping z1 = −(z − πi) lowers R by π units in the vertical direction and then rotates the resulting region
through 180◦ . The image region R1 is upper half-plane y1 ≥ 0. By Example 1, Section 20.1, w = Ln z1 maps
R1 onto the strip 0 ≤ v ≤ π. The composite of these two mappings is w = Ln(πi − z).

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20.1 Conformal
20.2 Complex Functions
Mappingsas Mappings

EXERCISES 20.2
Conformal Mappings

3. f  (z) = 1 + ez and 1 + ez = 0 for z = ±i ± 2nπi. Therefore f is conformal except for z = πi ± 2nπi.

6. The function f (z) = πi − 12 [Ln(z + 1) + Ln(z − 1)] is analytic except on the branch cut x − 1 ≤ 0 or x ≤ 1, and


1 1 1 z
f  (z) = − + =− 2
2 z+1 z−1 z −1
is non-zero for z = 0, ±1. Therefore f is conformal except for z = x, x ≤ 1.
1/4
9. f (z) = (sin z)1/4 is the composite of z1 = sin z and w = z1 . The region −π/2 ≤ x ≤ π/2, y ≥ 0 is mapped to
1/4
the upper half-plane y2 ≥ 0 by z1 = sin z (See Example 2) and the power function w = z1 maps this upper
half-plane to the angular wedge 0 ≤ Arg w ≤ π/4. The real interval [−π/2, π/2] is first mapped to [−1, 1] and
π
then to the union of the line segments from ei 4 to 0 and 0 to 1. See the figures below.

12. Using C-3 w = ez maps R onto the target region R . The image of AB is shown in the
figure.

eπ/z + e−π/z 1/2

15. Using H-6, z1 = maps R onto the upper half-plane y1 ≥ 0, and w = z1 maps
eπ/z − e−π/z
this half-plane onto the target region R . Therefore

1/2
eπ/z + e−π/z
w=
eπ/z − e−π/z
and the image of AB is shown in the figure.
18. Using E-9, z1 = cosh z maps R onto the upper half-plane y1 ≥ 0. Using M-7,
w = z1 + Ln z1 + 1 maps this half-plane onto the target region R . Therefore
w = cosh z + Ln(cosh z) + 1 and the image of AB is shown in the figure.

In Problem 21, we find a conformal mapping w = f (z) that maps the given
region R onto the upper half-plane v ≥ 0 and transfers the boundary conditions
so that the resulting Dirichlet problem is as shown in the figure.

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 20.2 Conformal Mappings


1−z 1 1−z
21. f (z) = i , using H-1, and so u = U (f (z)) = Arg . The solution may also be written as
1+z π 1+z


1 1 − x2
− y 2
u(x, y) = tan−1 .
π 2y

In Problem 24 we find a conformal mapping w = f (z) that maps the given

region R onto the upper half-plane v ≥ 0 and transfers the boundary conditions
so that the resulting Dirichlet problem is as shown in the figure.

24. The mapping z1 = z 2 maps R onto the region R1 defined by y1 ≥ 0, |z1 | ≥ 1 and shown in H-3, and


1 1
w= z1 + maps R1 onto the upper half-plane v ≥ 0. Letting c0 = 5,
2 z1

  
  
5 1 2 1 1 2 1
u= Arg z + 2 − 1 − Arg z + 2 +1 .
π 2 z 2 z

∂2φ ∂2φ
27. (a) If u = + 2,
∂x2 ∂y
∂2u ∂2u ∂4φ ∂4φ ∂4φ
+ = + 2 + =0
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂x4 ∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂y 4
since φ is assumed to be biharmonic.
(b) If g = u + iv, then φ = Re(z̄g(z)) = xu + yv.
∂2φ ∂u ∂2u ∂2v
= 3 + x + y
∂x2 ∂x ∂x2 ∂x2
∂2φ ∂v ∂2u ∂2v
2
=2 +x 2 +y 2 .
∂y ∂y ∂y ∂y
∂u ∂v
Since u and v are harmonic and = ,
∂x ∂y
∂2φ ∂2φ ∂u ∂v ∂u
+ 2 =2 +2 =4 .
∂x2 ∂y ∂x ∂y ∂x
∂u ∂ 2 u1 ∂ 2 u1
Now u1 = is also harmonic and so + = 0. But
∂x ∂x2 ∂y 2
 
∂ 2 u1 ∂ 2 u1 1 ∂4φ ∂4φ ∂4φ
+ = + 2 +
∂x2 ∂y 2 4 ∂x4 ∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂y 4
and so φ is biharmonic.

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20.2 Linear
20.3 Conformal Mappings
Fractional Transformations

EXERCISES 20.3
Linear Fractional Transformations

z+1
3. (a) For T (z) = , T (0) = −1, T (1) = ∞, and T (∞) = 1.
z−1
(b) The circle |z| = 1 passes through the pole at z = 1 and so the image is a line. Since T (−1) = 0 and
T (i) = −i, the image is the line u = 0. If |z − 1| = 1,
 
z + 1  2
|w − 1| =  − 1 = =2
z−1 |z − 1|
and so the image is the circle |w − 1| = 2 in the w-plane.
(c) Since T (0) = −1, the image of the disk |z| ≤ 1 is the half-plane u ≤ 0.
az + b
6. S −1 (T (z)) = where
cz + d
 
     
a b 2 1 i 0 −1 + i 2i
= adj = .
c d 1 1 1 −2i 2−i −4i
Therefore,
(−1 + i)z + 2i w−1
S −1 (T (z)) = and S −1 (w) = .
(2 − i)z − 4i −w + 2

(z − z1 )(z2 − z3 ) (z + 1)(−2) z+1

9. T (z) = maps z1 , z2 , z3 to 0, 1, ∞. Therefore, T (z) = = −2 maps −1, 0,
(z − z3 )(z2 − z1 ) (z − 2)(1) z−2
2 to 0, 1, ∞.

(w − 1 − i)(−1 + i) 2z − 2
12. As in Problem 11, z = and, solving for w, w = maps 0, 1, ∞ to 1 + i, 0,
(w − 1 + i)(−1 − i) (1 + i)z − 1 + i
1 − i.
15. Using the cross-ratio formula (7),
(w + 1)(−3) (z − 1)(2i)
S(w) = = = T (z).
(w − 3)(1) (z + i)(i − 1)
We can solve for w to obtain
(1 + i)z + (1 − i)
w=3 .
(−3 + 5i)z − 3 − 5i
Alternatively we can apply the matrix method to compute w = S −1 (T (z)).
1 z+1
18. The mapping T (z) = maps −1, 1, 0 to 0, 1, ∞ and maps each of the
2 z
two circles in R to lines since both circles pass through the pole at z = 0. Since
T ( 12 + 12 i) = 1 − i and T (1) = 1, the circle |z − 12 | = 12 is mapped onto the line
u = 1. Likewise, the circle |z + 12 | = 1
2 is mapped onto the line u = 0. The transferred
boundary conditions are shown in the figure and U (u, v) = u is the solution. The
solution to the Dirichlet problem in Figure 20.38 in the text is

304
 20.5 Poisson Integral Formulas


1 z+1 1 1 x
u = U (T (z)) = Re = + .
2 z 2 2 x2 + y 2
The level curves u = c are the circles with centers on the x-axis which pass through the origin. The level curve
u = 12 , however, is the vertical line x = 0.
a1 z + b1
a2 + b2
a2 T1 (z) + b2 c1 z + d1 a1 a2 z + a2 b1 + b2 c1 z + b2 d1 (a1 a2 + c1 b2 )z + (b1 a2 + d1 b2 )
21. T2 (T1 (z)) = = = =
c2 T1 (z) + d2 a1 z + b1 a1 c2 z + b1 c2 + c1 d2 z + d1 d2 (a1 c2 + c1 d2 )z + (b1 c2 + d1 d2 )
c2 + d2
c1 z + d1

EXERCISES 20.4
Schwarz-Christoffel Transformations


 0, t < −1
 1 1
3. arg f (t) = − Arg(t + 1) + Arg(t − 1) = π/2, −1 < t < 1
2 2 
0, t>1
and α1 = π/2 and α2 = 3π/2. Since f (−1) = 0, the image of the upper half-plane
is the region shown in the figure.

6. Since α1 = π/3 and α2 = π/2, α1 /π − 1 = −2/3 and α2 /π − 1 = −1/2 and so f  (z) = A(z + 1)−2/3 z −1/2 for
some constant A.
9. Since α1 = α2 = π/2, f  (z) = A(z + 1)−1/2 (z − 1)−1/2 = A/(z 2 − 1)1/2 . Therefore, f (z) = A cosh−1 z + B. But
f (−1) = πi and f (1) = 0. Since cosh−1 1 = 0, B = 0. Since cosh−1 (−1) = πi, πi = A(πi) and so A = 1. Hence
f (z) = cosh−1 z.
12. From (3), f  (z) = Az −3/4 (z − 1)(α2 /π)−1 . But α2 → π as θ → 0. This suggests that we examine f  (z) = Az −3/4 .
Therefore, f (z) = A1 z 1/4 + B1 . But f (0) = 0 and f (1) = 1 so that B1 = 0 and A1 = 1. Hence f (z) = z 1/4 and
we recognize that this power function maps the upper half-plane onto the wedge 0 ≤ Arg w ≤ π/4.

EXERCISES 20.5
Poisson Integral Formulas

3. The harmonic function



5 5, x>1 1 z+1 1 z
u1 = [π − Arg(z − 1)] = , and u2 = − Arg + Arg
π 0, x<1 π z+2 π z+1
from (3) satisfies all boundary conditions except that u2 = 0 for x > 1. Therefore u = u1 + u2 is the solution
to the given Dirichlet problem.

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20.5 Poisson Integral Formulas

6. From Theorem 20.5,

∞ ∞
y cos t y cos(x − s)
u(x, y) = dt = ds
π −∞ (x − t)2 + y 2 π −∞ s2 + y 2
letting s = x − t. But cos(x − s) = cos x cos x + sin x sin s. It follows that
∞ ∞

y cos x cos s y sin x sin s y cos x πe−y
u(x, y) = 2 2
ds + 2 2
ds = = e−y cos x, y > 0.
π −∞ s +y π −∞ s +y π y

1−z
9. Using H-1, f (z) = i maps R onto the upper half-plane R . The corresponding
1+z
Dirichlet problem in R is shown in the figure. From (3) in the text,


 


1 w 1 w−1 1 w−1 w
U = − Arg + Arg = Arg − Arg .
π w+1 π w π w w+1
The harmonic function u = U (f (z)) may be simplified to



1 (1 − i)z − (1 + i) 1−z
u= Arg − Arg
π 1−z −(1 + i)z + 1 − i
and is the solution to the original Dirichlet problem in R.
1 π
1 − |z|2
12. From Theorem 20.6, u(x, y) = e−|t| dt. Therefore,
2π −π |eit − z|2
π π
1 1 1
u(0, 0) = e−|t| dt = e−t dt = (1 − e−π ).
2π −π π 0 π

With the aid of Simpson’s Rule, u(0.5, 0) = 0.5128 and u(−0.5, 0) = 0.1623.
15. For u(eiθ ) = sin θ + cos θ, the Fourier series solution (6) reduces to
u(r, θ) = r sin θ + r cos θ or u(x, y) = y + x.
The corresponding system of level curves is shown in the figure.

EXERCISES 20.6
Applications

x y 1
3. g(z) = − 2 i = is analytic for z = 0 and so div F = 0 and
x2 + y 2 x + y2 z
curl F = 0 by Theorem 20.7. A complex potential is G(z) = Lnz and
1
φ(x, y) = Re(G(z)) = loge (x2 + y 2 ).
2
The equipotential lines φ(x, y) = c are circles x2 + y 2 = e2c and are shown in the
figure.

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 20.6 Applications

1
6. The function f (z) = maps the original region R to the strip − 12 ≤ v ≤ 0 (see
z
Example 2, Section 20.1). The boundary conditions transfer as shown in the figure.
U = −2v is the solution in the horizontal strip and so


1 2y
φ(x, y) = −2Im = 2
z x + y2
2y
is the potential in the original region R. The equipotential lines 2 = c may be written as
x + y2

 2
2
1 1
x2 + y + = for c = 0 and are circles. If c = 0, we obtain the line y = 0. Note that
c c


2i 2i
φ(x, y) = Re and so G(z) = is a complex potential. The corresponding vector field is
z z


2i −4xy 2(x2 − y 2 )
F = G (z) = 2 = , .
z̄ (x2 + y 2 )2 (x2 + y 2 )2

9. (a) ψ(x, y) = Im(z 4 ) = 4xy(x2 − y 2 ) and so ψ(x, y) = 0 when y = x and y = 0.

(b) V = G (z) = 4z 3 = 4(x3 − 3xy 2 , y 3 − 3x2 y)

(c) In polar coordinates r4 sin 4θ = c or r = (c csc 4θ)1/4 , for 0 < θ < π/4, are the
streamlines. See the figure.

12. (a) The image of R under w = i sin−1 z is the horizontal strip (see E-6) −π/2 ≤ v ≤ π/2 and

π/2, x≥1
ψ(x, y) = Im(i sin−1 z) = .
−π/2, x ≤ −1

Each piece of boundary is therefore a streamline.

i −i
(b) V = G (z) = =
(1 − z 2 )1/2 (1 − z̄ 2 )1/2

(c) The streamlines are the images of the lines v = b, −π/2 < b < π/2 under
z = −i sin w and are therefore hyperbolas. See Example 2, Section 20.2, and the
figure. Note that at z = 0, v = −i and the flow is downward.

15. (a) For f (z) = πi − 12 [Ln(z + 1) + Ln(z − 1)]

1
f (t) = πi − [loge |t + 1| + loge |t − 1| + iArg(t + 1) + iArg(t − 1)]
2

 0, t < −1
and so Im(f (t)) = π/2, −1 < t < 1 . Hence Im(G(z)) = ψ(x, y) = 0 on the boundary of R.

π, t>1
1 1
(b) x = − [loge |t + 1 + ic| + loge |t − 1 + ic|], y = π − [Arg(t + 1 + ic) + Arg(t − 1 + ic)] for c > 0
2 2

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20.6 Applications

(c)


1/2 (z + 1)1/2 − 1
18. (a) For f (z) = 2(z + 1) + Ln ,
(z + 1)1/2 + 1

(t + 1)1/2 − 1
f (t) = 2(t + 1)1/2 + Ln .
(t + 1)1/2 + 1

If we write (t + 1)1/2 = |t + 1|1/2 e(i/2)Arg(t+1) , we may conclude that

0, t>0
Im(f (t)) = and Re(f (t)) = 0 for t < −1.
π, −1 < t < 0

Therefore Im(G(z)) = ψ(x, y) = 0 on the boundary of R.

 
1/2 (t + ic + 1)1/2 − 1
(b) x = Re 2(t + ic + 1) + Ln
(t + ic + 1)1/2 + 1
 
(t + ic + 1)1/2 − 1
y = Im 2(t + ic + 1)1/2 + Ln for c > 0
(t + ic + 1)1/2 + 1
(c)

21. f (z) = z 2 maps the first quadrant onto the upper half-plane and f (ξ0 ) = f (1) = 1. Therefore G(z) = Ln(z 2 − 1)
is the complex potential, and so


−1 2xy
ψ(x, y) = Arg(z − 1) = tan
2
x2 − y 2 − 1

is the streamline function where tan−1 is chosen to be between 0 and π. If ψ(x, y) = c, then x2 +Bxy −y 2 −1 = 0
where B = −2 cot c. Each hyperbola in the family passes through (1, 0) and the boundary of the first quadrant
satisfies ψ(x, y) = 0.


a + ib ax − by bx + ay
24. (a) V = = , and since (x (t), y  (t)) = V, the path of the particle satisfies
z̄ x2 + y 2 x2 + y 2

dx ax − by dy bx + ay
= 2 , = 2 .
dt x + y2 dt x + y2

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 CHAPTER 20 REVIEW EXERCISES

(b) Switching to polar coordinates,



dr 1 dx dy 1 ax2 − bxy bxy + ay 2 a
= x +y = + =
dt r dt dt r r2 r2 r



dθ 1 dx dy 1 −axy + by 2 bx2 + axy b
= 2 −y +x = 2 + = 2.
dt r dt dt r r2 r2 r
dr a
Therefore = r and so r = ceaθ/b .
dθ b
dr a dθ b
(c) = < 0 if and only if a < 0, and in this case r is decreasing and the curve spirals inward. = 2 <0
dt r dt r
if and only if b < 0, and in this case θ is decreasing and the curve is traversed clockwise.

CHAPTER 20 REVIEW EXERCISES

3. The wedge 0 ≤ Arg w ≤ 2π/3. See figure 20.6 in the text.

6. A line, since |z − 1| = 1 passes through the pole at z = 2.
9. False. g(z) = P − iQ is analytic. See Theorem 20.7.
12. First use z1 = z 2 to map the first quadrant onto the upper half-plane y1 ≥ 0, and segment AB to the negative
real axis. We then use w = π1 (z1 + Ln z1 + 1) to map this half-plane onto the target region R . The composite
transformation is
1
w = [z 2 + Ln(z 2 ) + 1]
π
and the image of AB is the ray extending to the left from w = i along the line v = 1.
15. The inversion w = 1/z maps R onto the horizontal strip −1 ≤ v ≤ −1/2 and the
transferred boundary conditions are shown in the figure. The solution in the strip
is U = 2v + 2 and so



1 1 −2y
u=U = 2Im +2= 2 +2
z z x + y2
is the solution to the original Dirichlet problem in R.
18. (a) From Theorem 20.5,
∞ ∞
y sin t y sin(x − s)
u(x, y) = dt = ] ds (letting s = x − t).
π −∞ (x − t) + y
2 2 π −∞ s2 + y 2
But sin(x − s) = sin x cos s − cos x sin s. We now proceed as in the solution to Problem 6, Section 20.5 to
show that u(x, y) = e−y sin x.
(b) For u(eiθ ) = sin θ, the Fourier Series solution (6) in Section 20.5 reduces to u(r, θ) = r sin θ.

309