0
$\begingroup$

Hi Here there are two graphs for two functions from $R^2\mapsto R$.

Is there similar graph for the absolute value of a complex variable function $f:C\mapsto C$ that has the same point (like saddle point or transition). I know some functions that have the point $(x,y,|f(x+iy)|)$ on that such that in one direction it is maximum, and in the other direction it is minimum.

My question here is that: is there any such point such that in one direction it is maximum (or minimum) but in the other direction it is not maximum nor minimum (similar to $(0,0)$ in $y=x^3$ in the real case).

Thanks

link text

link text

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Without further restrictions on your function $f$ (analytic? anti-analytic?) the answer is that a function $C \to R$ is exactly the same as a function $R^2\to R$. $\endgroup$
    – Yemon Choi
    Dec 27, 2011 at 20:35
  • $\begingroup$ $f$ is analytic $\endgroup$
    – asd
    Dec 28, 2011 at 14:40

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

For any nonconstant analytic function $f$, if $f'(p) = 0$ but $f(p)$ and $f''(p)$ are nonzero, then the graph of $|f(z)|$ will have a saddle point at $p$.

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ @Robert Israel: Yes, it is. but I was meaning that in one direction similar to $x^2$ and in the other direction similar to $x^3$. For example: $f(z)=cos(z)$ in $z=0$ has that condition, $|f|$ in one direction is like $x^2$ and in the other is like $(−x^2)$ $\endgroup$
    – asd
    Dec 28, 2011 at 14:42
  • $\begingroup$ Is it possible $f'(z)\neq0$ and $f(z)\neq0$, but $z$ is saddle point of the above type. $\endgroup$
    – asd
    Dec 28, 2011 at 14:46
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ If $f'(p) \ne 0$, it's not a saddle point. The definition of a saddle point requires a stationary point. $\endgroup$ Dec 28, 2011 at 19:26

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.