3.1. Complex Functions ¤ Functions of complex variables can be visualized in a 3 dimensional figure by mapping diagrams between parallel complex planes.
Here are some examples of linear functions, linear fractional (Moebius), and power functions I have built using GeoGebra . 3.1.1 The Forest: A complex linear function can be visualized as a mapping from $\mathbb{C}$ to $\mathbb{C}$.¤
Example 3.1.1.1Mapping Diagram for Complex Linear Function from a Table (using points on a lattice for sampled domain.)
This example shows a linear function $f(z) = a + bz$ where $a$ and $b \in \mathbb{C}$
Move $a$ and $b$ in the plane to change the value of these complex
number parameters.
Move the "lattice" point in the plane to change the
position of the lattice being used for the data in the table and on the
mapping diagram.
Example 3.1.1.2 Mapping Diagram for Complex Linear Function (using points on circles for sampled domain.) ¤
This example shows a linear function $f(z) = a + bz$
where $a$ and $b \in \mathbb{C}$ on a
single complex number $z$ and points on a circle in the domain complex
plane.
Use the "r" slider to change the radius of the circle in the domain for the mapping diagram.
Move $a$ and $b$ in the plane to change the value of these complex number parameters.
Notes:
When $a=0$ and $b \in \mathbb{R}$ then
$f$ is a dilation and the arrows lie on a section of a cone. The vertex
of the cone is the focus point with axis orthogonal to the complex
planes at $0$.
When $a=0$ and $b = e^{i\theta}
$ then $f$ is a rotation isometry about 0 by $\theta$ radians and the
arrows lie on a section of an hyperboloid of one sheet between circles
of equal radii centered at $0$.
When $b = 1$ then $f$ is a translation isometry by $a$
and the arrows lie on a cylinder between circles of equal radii, one on
the source centered at the $0$ and the other on the target centered at $a$.
In general one can understand $f$ as a composition of these three types of functions, $f = s_a \circ r_{Arg(b)} \circ m_{|b|}$ where $m_{|b|}(z) = |b|z$ , $r_{Arg(b)}(z) = e^{Arg(b) i} z$, and $s_a(z) = a + z$.
3.1.2 Linear Functions visualized with cones and geodesics. ¤
In the following figure for $f(z) = bz$ the mapping diagram is based on
the cone for $m_{|b|}(z) = |b|z$as visualized in the previous figure. You can choose
either the arrow mapping diagram or a mapping diagram using geodesics
between $z$ and $f(z)$ on the cone to
visualize $f$.
3.1.3 Complex Mapping Diagram of Linear Function (using points on lines for sampled domain.)¤
This example shows a linear function $f(z) = a + bz$
where $a$ and $b \in \mathbb{C}$ on a
single complex number $z$ and points on a line in the complex plane.
You can move the point $z$#, change the slider to move the line, and enter a new function. 4.1 Visualizing Complex Linear Fractional Transformations [Moebius Functions] with Mapping Diagrams ¤ This example shows a moebius linear fractional function $$f(z) = \frac {a + bz}{c+z}$$
where $a$, $b$ and $c \in \mathbb{C}$ on a
single complex number $z$. You can move $a,b$,and $c$ in the Graphics window to change the complex parameters for the Moebius function.
The sliders adjust the slope of the lines through $0$ and the radius of
the circles centered at $0$ for the mapping diagram arrow source. Notes:
When $b=c=0$ and $b=1$ then
$f$ is complex inversion and the circular based arrows cross on a line above the real axis.
When $a=1$ and $c=0
$ then $f$ is the composition of complex inversion followed by translation by the complex number $b$.
When $a=1$ and $b=0$ then $f$ is a translation isometry by $c$, followed by complex inversion.
4.2 Mapping Diagrams can also connect to the Riemann sphere.¤
The following mapping diagram for a general Moebius function
demonstrates the projective connection of the image complex plane to the
Riemann sphere.This example shows $$f(z) = \frac {a + bz}{c+ dz}$$
where $a$, $b$, $c$ and $d \in \mathbb{C}$ on a
single complex number $z$.
To change the complex parameters for the Moebius function you can move $a,b,c$,and $d$ as well as the center of the circle $O$ in the Graphics window You change the radius $r$ of the circle with the slider.
Notice that if the circle passes through a pole of the function, the
image is a line corresponding to a circle on the Riemann Sphere passing
through the point at infinity.
4.3 Visualizing Complex Power Functions with Mapping Diagrams ¤
The
sliders adjust the height of the second complex plane, the power, n,
and the radius of the circle for the mapping diagram arrow source. A Glimpse at Some Calculus for Complex Functions Part III Calculus for Complex Functions