Complex Analysis
Chapter VI. The Maximum Modulus Theorem
VI.1. The Maximum Principle—Proofs of Theorems
July 27, 2018
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 1/7
Table of contents
1 Theorem VI.1.2. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Second Version
2 Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
3 Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded Domains
2
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 2/7
Theorem VI.1.2. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Second Version
Theorem VI.1.2
Theorem VI.1.2. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Second Version.
Let G be a bounded open set in C and suppose f is a continuous function
on G which is analytic in G . Then
max{|f (z)| | z ∈ G } = max{|f (z)| | z ∈ ∂G }.
(G is G closure and ∂G is the boundary of G .)
Proof. Since G is bounded and closed, there is a ∈ G such that
|f (a)| ≥ |f (z)| (a continuous function on a compact set). If f is constant,
the result is trivial; if f is not constant the result follows from the
Maximum Modulus (Theorem IV.3.11) applied to each open component of
G , say Oi for i ∈ N, and then observing that ∂(G ) = ∂(∪Oi ).
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 3/7
Theorem VI.1.2. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Second Version
Theorem VI.1.2
Theorem VI.1.2. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Second Version.
Let G be a bounded open set in C and suppose f is a continuous function
on G which is analytic in G . Then
max{|f (z)| | z ∈ G } = max{|f (z)| | z ∈ ∂G }.
(G is G closure and ∂G is the boundary of G .)
Proof. Since G is bounded and closed, there is a ∈ G such that
|f (a)| ≥ |f (z)| (a continuous function on a compact set). If f is constant,
the result is trivial; if f is not constant the result follows from the
Maximum Modulus (Theorem IV.3.11) applied to each open component of
G , say Oi for i ∈ N, and then observing that ∂(G ) = ∂(∪Oi ).
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 3/7
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version.
Let G be a region in C and f an analytic function on G . Suppose there is
a constant M such that lim sup |f (z)| ≤ M for all a in ∂∞ (G ). Then
z→a
|f (z)| ≤ M for all z in G .
Proof. Let δ > 0 and define H = {z ∈ G | |f (z)| > M + δ}. We want to
show H = ∅. Since |f | is continuous (and real valued) then H is open (H
is the inverse image of an open set).
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Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version.
Let G be a region in C and f an analytic function on G . Suppose there is
a constant M such that lim sup |f (z)| ≤ M for all a in ∂∞ (G ). Then
z→a
|f (z)| ≤ M for all z in G .
Proof. Let δ > 0 and define H = {z ∈ G | |f (z)| > M + δ}. We want to
show H = ∅. Since |f | is continuous (and real valued) then H is open (H
is the inverse image of an open set). Since lim supz→a |f (z)| ≤ M for each
a ∈ ∂∞ (G ), there is some B(a; r ) such that |f (z)| < M + δ for all
z ∈ G ∩ B(a; r ):
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 4/7
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version.
Let G be a region in C and f an analytic function on G . Suppose there is
a constant M such that lim sup |f (z)| ≤ M for all a in ∂∞ (G ). Then
z→a
|f (z)| ≤ M for all z in G .
Proof. Let δ > 0 and define H = {z ∈ G | |f (z)| > M + δ}. We want to
show H = ∅. Since |f | is continuous (and real valued) then H is open (H
is the inverse image of an open set). Since lim supz→a |f (z)| ≤ M for each
a ∈ ∂∞ (G ), there is some B(a; r ) such that |f (z)| < M + δ for all
z ∈ G ∩ B(a; r ):
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 4/7
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version.
Let G be a region in C and f an analytic function on G . Suppose there is
a constant M such that lim sup |f (z)| ≤ M for all a in ∂∞ (G ). Then
z→a
|f (z)| ≤ M for all z in G .
Proof. Let δ > 0 and define H = {z ∈ G | |f (z)| > M + δ}. We want to
show H = ∅. Since |f | is continuous (and real valued) then H is open (H
is the inverse image of an open set). Since lim supz→a |f (z)| ≤ M for each
a ∈ ∂∞ (G ), there is some B(a; r ) such that |f (z)| < M + δ for all
z ∈ G ∩ B(a; r ):
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 4/7
Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4 (continued)
Proof (continued). So any closure point of H is not “near” the boundary
of G and H ⊂ G . Since this also holds for unbounded G with a = ∞, H
must be bounded (if G is bounded then H is bounded since H ⊂ G ; if G is
unbounded then ∞ ∈ ∂∞ (G ) and there exists R > 0 such that
H ∩ (C \ B(a; R)) ∩ G ) = ∅). Therefore H is compact. So the Maximum
Modulus Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2) applies to f on H
and max{|f (z)| | z ∈ H} = max{|f (z)| | z ∈ ∂(H)}. Since
H ⊂ {z | |f (z)| ≥ M + δ}, for z ∈ ∂(H) we have |f (z)| = M + δ by the
continuity of f , since |f (z)| ≤ M + δ for z ∈ G \ H. So by the Maximum
Modulus Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2), H = ∅ or f is
constant.
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Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4 (continued)
Proof (continued). So any closure point of H is not “near” the boundary
of G and H ⊂ G . Since this also holds for unbounded G with a = ∞, H
must be bounded (if G is bounded then H is bounded since H ⊂ G ; if G is
unbounded then ∞ ∈ ∂∞ (G ) and there exists R > 0 such that
H ∩ (C \ B(a; R)) ∩ G ) = ∅). Therefore H is compact. So the Maximum
Modulus Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2) applies to f on H
and max{|f (z)| | z ∈ H} = max{|f (z)| | z ∈ ∂(H)}. Since
H ⊂ {z | |f (z)| ≥ M + δ}, for z ∈ ∂(H) we have |f (z)| = M + δ by the
continuity of f , since |f (z)| ≤ M + δ for z ∈ G \ H. So by the Maximum
Modulus Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2), H = ∅ or f is
constant. But by the definition of H, if f is constant, then H = ∅. So we
conclude that H must be empty and the result follows.
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Theorem VI.1.4. Maximum Modulus Theorem—Third Version
Theorem VI.1.4 (continued)
Proof (continued). So any closure point of H is not “near” the boundary
of G and H ⊂ G . Since this also holds for unbounded G with a = ∞, H
must be bounded (if G is bounded then H is bounded since H ⊂ G ; if G is
unbounded then ∞ ∈ ∂∞ (G ) and there exists R > 0 such that
H ∩ (C \ B(a; R)) ∩ G ) = ∅). Therefore H is compact. So the Maximum
Modulus Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2) applies to f on H
and max{|f (z)| | z ∈ H} = max{|f (z)| | z ∈ ∂(H)}. Since
H ⊂ {z | |f (z)| ≥ M + δ}, for z ∈ ∂(H) we have |f (z)| = M + δ by the
continuity of f , since |f (z)| ≤ M + δ for z ∈ G \ H. So by the Maximum
Modulus Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2), H = ∅ or f is
constant. But by the definition of H, if f is constant, then H = ∅. So we
conclude that H must be empty and the result follows.
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 5/7
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2.
Let z(t), t ∈ [α, β], define a Jordan curves Γ with its trace in C (that is, Γ
is a simple closed curve in C), and denote the open interior of Γ by Ω.
Also, let ϕ be a function which is analytic in C \ {Γ ∪ Ω} and continuous
on C \ Ω such that |ϕ(z)| ≤ M for all z ∈ Γ. Suppose, in addition, that
ϕ(z) tends to a finite limit ` as z tends to infinity and set ϕ(∞) = `.
Then, |ϕ(z)| ≤ M for all x in C∞ \ {Γ ∩ Ω}, unless ϕ is a constant.
Proof. Let a ∈ Ω and denote by Γa the Jordan curve z(t) − a, t ∈ [α, β].
Then the open interior of Γa contains the origin 0. Let γa be the Jordan
curve w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), t ∈ [α, β], and let ∆a be the open interior of
γa .
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Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2.
Let z(t), t ∈ [α, β], define a Jordan curves Γ with its trace in C (that is, Γ
is a simple closed curve in C), and denote the open interior of Γ by Ω.
Also, let ϕ be a function which is analytic in C \ {Γ ∪ Ω} and continuous
on C \ Ω such that |ϕ(z)| ≤ M for all z ∈ Γ. Suppose, in addition, that
ϕ(z) tends to a finite limit ` as z tends to infinity and set ϕ(∞) = `.
Then, |ϕ(z)| ≤ M for all x in C∞ \ {Γ ∩ Ω}, unless ϕ is a constant.
Proof. Let a ∈ Ω and denote by Γa the Jordan curve z(t) − a, t ∈ [α, β].
Then the open interior of Γa contains the origin 0. Let γa be the Jordan
curve w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), t ∈ [α, β], and let ∆a be the open interior of
γa . Notice that for x ∈ γa ,
−1 !
1
ϕ(a + w −1 ) = ϕ a + = ϕ(z(t)) ∈ ϕ(Γ). (∗)
z(t) − a
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 6/7
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2.
Let z(t), t ∈ [α, β], define a Jordan curves Γ with its trace in C (that is, Γ
is a simple closed curve in C), and denote the open interior of Γ by Ω.
Also, let ϕ be a function which is analytic in C \ {Γ ∪ Ω} and continuous
on C \ Ω such that |ϕ(z)| ≤ M for all z ∈ Γ. Suppose, in addition, that
ϕ(z) tends to a finite limit ` as z tends to infinity and set ϕ(∞) = `.
Then, |ϕ(z)| ≤ M for all x in C∞ \ {Γ ∩ Ω}, unless ϕ is a constant.
Proof. Let a ∈ Ω and denote by Γa the Jordan curve z(t) − a, t ∈ [α, β].
Then the open interior of Γa contains the origin 0. Let γa be the Jordan
curve w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), t ∈ [α, β], and let ∆a be the open interior of
γa . Notice that for x ∈ γa ,
−1 !
1
ϕ(a + w −1 ) = ϕ a + = ϕ(z(t)) ∈ ϕ(Γ). (∗)
z(t) − a
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 6/7
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D (continued)
Proof (continued). Because of the inversion in w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), for
w in the open exterior of Γ, ϕ(w ) is in the open interior of γa (and w = 0
corresponds to the point ∞ ∈ C∞ through the inversion). So the function
Φ(w ) = ϕ(a + w −1 ) is analytic in the open interior of γa , except at 0 (and
notice that from (∗), Φ(γa ) = ϕ(Γ)). That is, Φ(w ) is analytic on
∆a \ {0}. Since, by hypothesis, limz→∞ ϕ(z) = ` then limw →0 Φ(w ) = `.
So, defining Φ(0) = `, Φ becomes analytic throughout ∆a . Also, Φ is
continuous on γa ∪ ∆a and |Φ(w )| ≤ M for w on γa (since Φ(w ) = ϕ(z)
for some z on Γ) by hypothesis.
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Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D (continued)
Proof (continued). Because of the inversion in w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), for
w in the open exterior of Γ, ϕ(w ) is in the open interior of γa (and w = 0
corresponds to the point ∞ ∈ C∞ through the inversion). So the function
Φ(w ) = ϕ(a + w −1 ) is analytic in the open interior of γa , except at 0 (and
notice that from (∗), Φ(γa ) = ϕ(Γ)). That is, Φ(w ) is analytic on
∆a \ {0}. Since, by hypothesis, limz→∞ ϕ(z) = ` then limw →0 Φ(w ) = `.
So, defining Φ(0) = `, Φ becomes analytic throughout ∆a . Also, Φ is
continuous on γa ∪ ∆a and |Φ(w )| ≤ M for w on γa (since Φ(w ) = ϕ(z)
for some z on Γ) by hypothesis. So, by the Maximum Modulus
Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2), |Φ(w )| ≤ M for all
w ∈ γa ∪ ∆a . By the Maximum Modulus Theorem (Theorem IV.3.11),
either |Φ(w )| < M for all w ∈ ∆a (the open interior of γa ) or Φ is a
constant function.
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 7/7
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D (continued)
Proof (continued). Because of the inversion in w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), for
w in the open exterior of Γ, ϕ(w ) is in the open interior of γa (and w = 0
corresponds to the point ∞ ∈ C∞ through the inversion). So the function
Φ(w ) = ϕ(a + w −1 ) is analytic in the open interior of γa , except at 0 (and
notice that from (∗), Φ(γa ) = ϕ(Γ)). That is, Φ(w ) is analytic on
∆a \ {0}. Since, by hypothesis, limz→∞ ϕ(z) = ` then limw →0 Φ(w ) = `.
So, defining Φ(0) = `, Φ becomes analytic throughout ∆a . Also, Φ is
continuous on γa ∪ ∆a and |Φ(w )| ≤ M for w on γa (since Φ(w ) = ϕ(z)
for some z on Γ) by hypothesis. So, by the Maximum Modulus
Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2), |Φ(w )| ≤ M for all
w ∈ γa ∪ ∆a . By the Maximum Modulus Theorem (Theorem IV.3.11),
either |Φ(w )| < M for all w ∈ ∆a (the open interior of γa ) or Φ is a
constant function. Since Φ(w ) = ϕ(a + w −1 ), and Φ(γa ) = ϕ(Γ) then
|ϕ(z)| < M for all z ∈ C∞ \ {Γ ∪ Ω} (that is, for z exterior to γ, including
∞ where ϕ(∞) = Φ(0) = `).
() Complex Analysis July 27, 2018 7/7
Theorem VI.1.D. Maximum Modulus Theorem for Unbounded
Domains 2
Theorem VI.1.D (continued)
Proof (continued). Because of the inversion in w (t) = 1/(z(t) − a), for
w in the open exterior of Γ, ϕ(w ) is in the open interior of γa (and w = 0
corresponds to the point ∞ ∈ C∞ through the inversion). So the function
Φ(w ) = ϕ(a + w −1 ) is analytic in the open interior of γa , except at 0 (and
notice that from (∗), Φ(γa ) = ϕ(Γ)). That is, Φ(w ) is analytic on
∆a \ {0}. Since, by hypothesis, limz→∞ ϕ(z) = ` then limw →0 Φ(w ) = `.
So, defining Φ(0) = `, Φ becomes analytic throughout ∆a . Also, Φ is
continuous on γa ∪ ∆a and |Φ(w )| ≤ M for w on γa (since Φ(w ) = ϕ(z)
for some z on Γ) by hypothesis. So, by the Maximum Modulus
Theorem—Second Version (Theorem VI.1.2), |Φ(w )| ≤ M for all
w ∈ γa ∪ ∆a . By the Maximum Modulus Theorem (Theorem IV.3.11),
either |Φ(w )| < M for all w ∈ ∆a (the open interior of γa ) or Φ is a
constant function. Since Φ(w ) = ϕ(a + w −1 ), and Φ(γa ) = ϕ(Γ) then
|ϕ(z)| < M for all z ∈ C∞ \ {Γ ∪ Ω} (that is, for z exterior to γ, including
∞ where ϕ(∞) = Φ(0) = `).
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