2
$\begingroup$

This problem is from Section VIII.6 of Theodore Gamelin's Complex Analysis:

Let $f(z)$ be analytic on an open set containing a closed path $\gamma$, and suppose $f(z)\neq0$ on $\gamma$. Show that the increase in arg$f(z)$ around $\gamma$ is $2\pi W(f\circ\gamma,\, 0)$.

Any hints?

  • 1
    Hint: The definition of the winding number is $W(f\circ\gamma) = \frac{1}{2\pi i}\int_{f\circ \gamma}\frac{dz}{z}$. The differential $\frac{dz}{z}$ is exactly $d\log z$ (why does this make sense?), so $W(f\circ \gamma) = \frac{1}{2\pi i}\int_{f\circ \gamma}d\log z$. The integral is exactly the change in $\log z$ as you traverse $f\circ \gamma$ (why?). Finally, what *is* the change in $\log z$ as you traverse $f\circ \gamma$?2012-11-27

0 Answers 0