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Why is it true that if a Möbius map, $f(z)$ fixes distinct $z_1,z_2\in \mathbb C_\infty$ that $f(z)$ either describes a rotation or has a pair of stable and unstable fixed points, such that iterations of $f(z)$ converges to the stable fixed point for $z\neq$ the unstable fixed point?

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The fairly standard argument is to conjugate with a Moebius transformation that sends $0$ to $z_1$ and $\infty$ to $z_2$. This gives you a Moebius transformation that fixes $0$ and $\infty$. A little algebra tells you this is just the map $z \longmapsto az$ for some complex number $a$.

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    Thank you! How did you come up with it?2012-02-07
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    Conjugation of a map is essentially the equivalent of a coordinate change. When you talk about "rotation about fixed points", that can be interpreted as "in certain coordinates the map looks like $z \longmapsto az$". So the type of your question basically leads one to think: conjugation.2012-02-07
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    Thanks, just curious what is the coordinate system we end up working in?2012-02-07
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    I'm a little confused now. I'm not saying it *is* a coordinate change, but it's analogous. Just look through what one does in other context when one makes a coordinate change, like representing a matrix with respect to another basis, for example. That produces a conjugation.2012-02-07
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    Very helpful, thank you Ryan.2013-07-25