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I was wondering if I could get some help with the following problem. I almost solved it, but I don't see how to justify using Rouché's theorem. The problem is this: Let $f(z) = z+a - e^z$ where $a$ is a real number satisfying $1 < a < \infty$. Show that $f(z)$ has exactly one zero in the half-plane $Re(z) < 0$ and moreover, show that this zero lies on the real axis.

As I said, I almost solved it, and here is my "solution". The boundary of the half-plane $Re(z) < 0$ is the line $Re(z) = 0$. On this boundary we have $|z+a| \geq a > 1$ while $|e^z| = 1$ so that by Rouché's theorem $z+a$ and $f(z)$ have the same number of solutions in $Re z < 0$. But $z+a$ clearly has only one zero in this half-plane, so it follows that so does $f(z)$. For the second part, consider the restriction of $f(z)$ to the real axis, i.e. to $(-\infty, 0)$. It's easy to see that as $x \rightarrow -\infty$, $f(x) \rightarrow -\infty$ and as $x \rightarrow 0^-$, $f(x) \rightarrow a-1 > 0$. Hence the intermediate value theorem tells us that there is a zero of $f(z)$ on the real axis $(-\infty, 0)$. and since the first part of the problem shows that $f$ has only one zero in the given half-plane, it follows that the only zero of $f$ in the given half-plane lies on the real axis.

My question here is this: why can we use Rouché's theorem here? Rouché's theorem (at least the version of it that I know) is only applicable to open bounded sets whose boundary is a simple closed contour. In this problem the half-plane $Re(z) < 0$ is certainly not bounded. So why can we apply Rouché's theorem as I did above? Or perhaps my solution is incorrect? Please let me know. I appreciate your help.

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    @anon: Dear anon, thanks a lot for your comments. I was able to fix this argument following your suggestion. If you post your comment as an answer, I will accept it. Once again, thank you. I appreciate your help.2011-08-06

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[Comment reposted as answer.]

Your demonstration that there is a zero on the negative real line is valid (continuity of restrictions of holomorphic functions to $\mathbb{R}$ can be taken for granted, I suppose, allowing IMT to kick in), but your invocation of Rouche's is not because the open left half-plane is not a bounded. It might be possible to use Rouche's on some kind of specified bounded shape (e.g. hemisphere or rectangle) in the left-half plane with size as a parameter, and note that it works for arbitrary (sufficiently) large such domains and subsequently extends to the entire unbounded half-plane

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    @Theo Buehler: Theo, thanks a lot for your comment. I really appreciate your help!2011-08-06