My Math Forum different branches different derivatives

 Complex Analysis Complex Analysis Math Forum

 January 18th, 2010, 02:23 PM #1 Senior Member   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 194 Thanks: 3 different branches different derivatives In complex analysis, certain types of functions are multiple-valued, such as the logarithmic function. To find the derivative of any multi-valued function, you need to look at the function on a particular branch. Entire functions, like the exponential function for example, have the same derivative regardless the branch you consider. Is there a complex-valued function that has different derivatives depending on the branch you choose? Can someone give an example of such a function with its derivatives on different branches? Thanks.
January 19th, 2010, 01:46 PM   #2
Global Moderator

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 6,834
Thanks: 733

Re: different branches different derivatives

Quote:
 Originally Posted by davedave In complex analysis, certain types of functions are multiple-valued, such as the logarithmic function. To find the derivative of any multi-valued function, you need to look at the function on a particular branch. Entire functions, like the exponential function for example, have the same derivative regardless the branch you consider. Is there a complex-valued function that has different derivatives depending on the branch you choose? Can someone give an example of such a function with its derivatives on different branches? Thanks.
Your question is confusing. A single valued function has one branch, multivalued has multiple branches. So multivalued functions in general will have different derivatives on different branches, while single valued functions have single derivatives.

Example: ?z, with derivative .5/?z. On the two branches the function has opposite sign, and so has the derivative.

 January 20th, 2010, 12:35 AM #3 Senior Member   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 194 Thanks: 3 Re: different branches different derivatives Thanks for your clarification. When I was posting this question, I was really puzzled by the connection among branches, multi-valued functions and derivatives. May I ask you one more question to further clarify the idea of having different derivatives on different branches of multi-valued functions? I have a multi-valued function in my mind right now which is the natural logarithmic function, f(z)=In(z) for example. On the principle branch (-pi, pi], its derivative is 1/z. How would you find its derivatives on other branches, such as (0, 2pi], (-pi/4, 3*pi/4]? I mean could you please tell me a way to find the derivatives on other branches on this logarithmic function? Thanks.
 January 20th, 2010, 01:16 PM #4 Global Moderator   Joined: May 2007 Posts: 6,834 Thanks: 733 Re: different branches different derivatives ln(z) is special in that on the different branches, it differs by a constant value (2?ni), where n is an integer. As a result the derivative (1/z) is the same on all branches.
 January 20th, 2010, 02:36 PM #5 Senior Member   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 194 Thanks: 3 Re: different branches different derivatives Thank you so much for your help, mathman. I know you are very busy with other posters and I should not keep bothering you with the same topic. Could you please answer one more question? I promise that this is really the last one. My next multi-valued function is f(z)=z^(1/3). In polar form, f(z)=r^(1/3)*e^[(theta+2*k*pi)i/3] where k=0,1,2 So, its derivatives on the three branches where k=0,1,2 are z^(-2/3)/3, z^(-2/3)/3 * e^(pi/3)i, and z^(-2/3)/3 * e^(2*pi/3)i respectively. Can you tell me whether the derivatives are correct or not? I really appreciate your help, mathman.
 January 20th, 2010, 05:53 PM #6 Global Moderator   Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 21,016 Thanks: 2251 You shouldn't have gone from 2*k*pi to k*pi.
January 20th, 2010, 06:52 PM   #7
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 194
Thanks: 3

Re:

Quote:
 Originally Posted by skipjack You shouldn't have gone from 2*k*pi to k*pi.
sorry. I don't quite understand what you mean in the quote above. I didn't go from 2*k*pi to k*pi.

January 21st, 2010, 01:40 PM   #8
Global Moderator

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 6,834
Thanks: 733

Re: different branches different derivatives

Quote:
 Originally Posted by davedave Thank you so much for your help, mathman. I know you are very busy with other posters and I should not keep bothering you with the same topic. Could you please answer one more question? I promise that this is really the last one. My next multi-valued function is f(z)=z^(1/3). In polar form, f(z)=r^(1/3)*e^[(theta+2*k*pi)i/3] where k=0,1,2 So, its derivatives on the three branches where k=0,1,2 are z^(-2/3)/3, z^(-2/3)/3 * e^(pi/3)i, and z^(-2/3)/3 * e^(2*pi/3)i respectively. Can you tell me whether the derivatives are correct or not? I really appreciate your help, mathman.
An easy way to answer is to write f(z)=c_k*z^(1/3), where c_k=e^[(2k*pi)i/3] and z is the value on the principal branch. Then f'(z)=[c_k*z^(-2/3)]/3

 Tags branches, derivatives

,

,

,

,

,

,

,

,

,

# how to find the derivative of multiple valued function

Click on a term to search for related topics.
 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post johngalt47 Calculus 2 November 23rd, 2013 11:44 AM skeptopotamus Complex Analysis 1 November 10th, 2013 06:25 PM r-soy Calculus 4 November 26th, 2012 02:05 PM Nadiia Academic Guidance 3 August 5th, 2012 09:26 AM Mathworm Complex Analysis 7 February 6th, 2007 06:49 AM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top