Instructor:

Complex Variables & Transforms (MATH- 232)

Dr. Naila Amir
Limits and Continuity
Complex Functions and Mappings
Book: A First Course in Complex Analysis with Applications by
Dennis G. Zill and Patrick D. Shanahan.

• Chapter: 2
• Sections: 2.6
Limits and Continuity
 The most important concept in calculus is that of the limit. Recall that
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑥𝑥 = 𝐿𝐿,
𝑥𝑥→𝑥𝑥0
intuitively means that values 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) of the function f can be made arbitrarily
close to the real number 𝐿𝐿 if values of 𝑥𝑥 are chosen sufficiently close to, but
not equal to, the real number 𝑥𝑥0 .

 Complex limits play an equally important role in study of complex analysis. The
concept of a complex limit is similar to that of a real limit in the sense that:
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝐿𝐿,
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0
means that the values 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) of the complex function 𝑓𝑓 can be made arbitrarily
close the complex number 𝐿𝐿 if values of 𝑧𝑧 are chosen sufficiently close to, but
not equal to, the complex number 𝑧𝑧0 .
Limits and Continuity
Note:
Although outwardly similar, there is an important difference between these two
concepts of limit.
In a real limit, there are two directions from which 𝑥𝑥 can
approach 𝑥𝑥0 on the real line, namely, from the left or from
the right.
In a complex limit, however, there are infinitely many
directions from which 𝑧𝑧 can approach 𝑧𝑧0 in the complex
plane. In order for a complex limit to exist, each way in
which 𝑧𝑧 can approach 𝑧𝑧0 must yield the same limiting
value.
Limits and Continuity
Limit of a Real Function:
The limit of 𝑓𝑓 as 𝑥𝑥 tends 𝑥𝑥0 exists and is equal to 𝐿𝐿, if for every 𝜀𝜀 > 0 there exists a
𝛿𝛿 > 0 such that:
|𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) − 𝐿𝐿| < 𝜀𝜀 whenever 0 < |𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥0 | < 𝛿𝛿.
Limits and Continuity
Limit of a Complex Function:
Suppose that a complex function 𝑓𝑓 is defined in a deleted neighborhood of 𝑧𝑧0 and
suppose that 𝐿𝐿 is a complex number. The limit of 𝒇𝒇 as 𝒛𝒛 tends to 𝒛𝒛𝟎𝟎 exists and is
equal to 𝑳𝑳, if for every 𝜀𝜀 > 0 there exists a 𝛿𝛿 > 0 such that:
|𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) − 𝐿𝐿| < 𝜀𝜀 whenever 0 < |𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧0 | < 𝛿𝛿.
Limit of a function
Example: Compute
lim 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧),
𝑧𝑧→0
𝑧𝑧̅ 2
where 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) = � ; 𝑧𝑧 ≠ 0
𝑧𝑧
0; 𝑧𝑧 = 0
Solution:
𝑧𝑧̅ 2 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 2
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = lim = lim
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧 𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(0,0) 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑥𝑥 − 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 2
= lim
𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(0,0) 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖

𝑥𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑥𝑦𝑦 2 + 𝑖𝑖 𝑦𝑦 3 − 3𝑥𝑥 2 𝑦𝑦
= lim
𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(0,0) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2
Limit of a function
Case 1: If 𝑧𝑧 → 0 along 𝑥𝑥 −axis, we put 𝑦𝑦 = 0 and get:

𝑥𝑥 3
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = lim 2 = lim 𝑥𝑥 = 0.
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑥𝑥⟶0 𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥⟶0

Case 2: If 𝑧𝑧 → 0 along 𝑦𝑦 −axis, we put 𝑥𝑥 = 0 and get:

𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦 3
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = lim 2
= lim 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = 0.
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑦𝑦⟶0 𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦⟶0

Case 3: We can also try a path 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 i.e., 𝑥𝑥, 𝑥𝑥 ⟶ 0,0 ; 𝑥𝑥 ≠ 0, and get:

𝑥𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑖𝑖 𝑥𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑥 3 −2𝑥𝑥 3 (1 + 𝑖𝑖)

lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = lim 2 2
= lim 2
= 0.
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(0,𝑥𝑥) 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥⟶0 𝑥𝑥
Limit of a function
From all these cases we observe that whatever path we have chosen we reach the same
point. Thus, we conclude that:
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 0.
𝑧𝑧→0
Criterion for the Nonexistence of a Limit
If 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) approaches two complex numbers 𝐿𝐿1 ≠ 𝐿𝐿2 for two different paths through 𝑧𝑧0 ,
then lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 does not exist.
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0

Example: A limit that does not exist

Show that
𝑧𝑧
lim ,
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧̅
does not exist.
Solution:
We show that this limit does not exist by finding two different ways of letting 𝑧𝑧
𝑧𝑧
approach 0 that yield different values for lim ̅ .
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧
Criterion for the Nonexistence of a Limit
Solution:
First, we let 𝑧𝑧 approach 0 along the real axis. That is, we consider complex numbers of
the form 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑥𝑥 + 0𝑖𝑖 where the real number 𝑥𝑥 is approaching 0. For these points we
have:
𝑧𝑧 𝑥𝑥 + 0𝑖𝑖
lim = lim = lim 1 = 1. (1)
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧̅ 𝑥𝑥→0 𝑥𝑥 − 0𝑖𝑖 𝑥𝑥→0

On the other hand, if we let 𝑧𝑧 approach 0 along the imaginary axis, then 𝑧𝑧 = 0 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 where
the real number 𝑦𝑦 is approaching 0. For this approach we have:

𝑧𝑧 0 + 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦
lim = lim = lim −1 = −1. (2)
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧̅ 𝑦𝑦→0 0 − 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦→0

𝑧𝑧
Since the values in (1) and (2) are not the same, we conclude that lim ̅ does not exist.
𝑧𝑧→0 𝑧𝑧
Real Multivariable Limits
We now study a practical method for computing complex limits in the theorem
presented below. This theorem establishes an important connection between the
complex limit of 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) = 𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) and the real limits of the real-valued
functions of two real variables 𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) and 𝑣𝑣(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦). Since every complex function is
completely determined by the real functions 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣, it should not be surprising that
the limit of a complex function can be expressed in terms of the real limits of 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣.

Theorem: Real and Imaginary Parts of a Limit

Suppose that 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑢𝑢 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦 , 𝑧𝑧0 = 𝑥𝑥0 + 𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦0 , and 𝐿𝐿 = 𝑢𝑢0 + 𝑖𝑖𝑣𝑣0 . Then
lim 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) = 𝐿𝐿
𝑧𝑧⟶𝑧𝑧0
if and only if
lim 𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) = 𝑢𝑢0 and lim 𝑣𝑣(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) = 𝑣𝑣0 .
𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(𝑥𝑥0 ,𝑦𝑦0 ) 𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(𝑥𝑥0 ,𝑦𝑦0 )
Real and Imaginary Parts of a Limit
Example: Compute
lim 𝑧𝑧 2 + 𝑖𝑖 .
𝑧𝑧⟶1+𝑖𝑖
Solution:
Since 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑧𝑧 2 + 𝑖𝑖 = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑦 2 + 𝑖𝑖 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 1 , we have:
𝑢𝑢 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑦 2 , 𝑣𝑣 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 1,
and 𝑧𝑧0 = 1 + 𝑖𝑖. Identifying 𝑥𝑥0 = 1 and 𝑦𝑦0 = 1, we find 𝑢𝑢0 and 𝑣𝑣0 by computing the two
real limits as:
𝑢𝑢0 = lim 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑦 2 = 0,
𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(1,1)
and
𝑣𝑣0 = lim 2𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥 + 1 = 3.
𝑥𝑥,𝑦𝑦 ⟶(1,1)

Thus, 𝐿𝐿 = 𝑢𝑢0 + 𝑖𝑖𝑣𝑣0 = 0 + 𝑖𝑖 3 = 3𝑖𝑖. Therefore,

lim 𝑧𝑧 2 + 𝑖𝑖 = 3𝑖𝑖.
𝑧𝑧⟶1+𝑖𝑖
Properties of Complex Limits
Infinite limit and Limit at infinity
Analogous to real analysis, we can also define the concepts of infinite limits and limits
at infinity for complex functions. Intuitively, the limit:
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝐿𝐿 ,
𝑧𝑧⟶∞
means that values 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) of the function 𝑓𝑓 can be made arbitrarily close to 𝐿𝐿 if values
of 𝑧𝑧 are chosen so that |𝑧𝑧| is sufficiently large. A precise statement of a limit at
infinity is:
The limit of 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) as 𝑧𝑧 tends to ∞ exists and is equal to 𝐿𝐿 if for every
𝜀𝜀 > 0 there exists a 𝛿𝛿 > 0 such that |𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) − 𝐿𝐿| < 𝜀𝜀 whenever |𝑧𝑧| > 1/𝛿𝛿.

Using this definition, it is not hard to show that:

1
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝐿𝐿 iff lim 𝑓𝑓 = 𝐿𝐿.
𝑧𝑧⟶∞ 𝑧𝑧⟶0 𝑧𝑧
Infinite limit and Limit at infinity
Moreover, we have:
1
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = ∞ iff lim = 𝐿𝐿.
𝑧𝑧⟶∞ 𝑧𝑧⟶0 𝑓𝑓(1/𝑧𝑧)

Similarly, the infinite limit:

lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = ∞ ,
𝑧𝑧⟶𝑧𝑧0
is defined by:

The limit of 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) as 𝑧𝑧 tends to 𝑧𝑧0 is ∞ if for every 𝜀𝜀 > 0 there

is a 𝛿𝛿 > 0 such that |𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧)| > 1/𝜀𝜀 whenever 0 < |𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧0 | < 𝛿𝛿.

From this definition we obtain the following result:

1
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = ∞ iff lim = 0.
𝑧𝑧⟶𝑧𝑧0 𝑧𝑧⟶𝑧𝑧0 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧)
Practice Question
1. Compute:
Im 𝑧𝑧 2
lim .
𝑧𝑧⟶3𝑖𝑖 𝑧𝑧 + Re (𝑧𝑧)

2. Determine:
3 + 𝑖𝑖 𝑧𝑧 4 − 𝑧𝑧 2 + 2𝑧𝑧
lim .
𝑧𝑧→𝑖𝑖 𝑧𝑧 + 1

3. Determine:
𝑧𝑧 2 − 2𝑧𝑧 + 4
lim .
𝑧𝑧→1+𝑖𝑖 3 𝑧𝑧 − 1 − 𝑖𝑖 3
4. Determine:
𝑧𝑧 2 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 − 2
lim 2
.
𝑧𝑧→∞ (1 + 2𝑖𝑖)𝑧𝑧
Continuity of Complex Functions
The definition of continuity for a complex function is, in essence, the same as that for a
real function. That is, a complex function 𝑓𝑓 is continuous at a point 𝑧𝑧0 if the limit of 𝑓𝑓
as 𝑧𝑧 approaches 𝑧𝑧0 exists and is the same as the value of 𝑓𝑓 at 𝑧𝑧0 , i.e.,
lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧0 .
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0

Criteria for Continuity at a Point:

A complex function 𝑓𝑓 is continuous at a point 𝑧𝑧0 if each of the following three
conditions hold:
i. lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 exists,
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0

ii. 𝑓𝑓 is defined at 𝑧𝑧0 , and

iii. lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧0 .
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0
Continuity of Complex Functions
Example: Checking Continuity at a point
Consider the function 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑧𝑧 2 − 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 2. In order to determine if 𝑓𝑓 is continuous at

say the point 𝑧𝑧0 = 1 − 𝑖𝑖, we must find lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 and 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧0 , the check to see whether
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0

these two complex values are equal. Thus,

lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = lim 𝑧𝑧 2 − 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 + 2 = 1 − 3𝑖𝑖.

𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0 𝑧𝑧→1−𝑖𝑖

Furthermore, for 𝑧𝑧0 = 1 − 𝑖𝑖 we have:

𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧0 = 𝑓𝑓 1 − 𝑖𝑖 = 1 − 3𝑖𝑖.

Since lim 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧0 , we conclude that 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 is continuous at the point 𝑧𝑧0 = 1 − 𝑖𝑖.
𝑧𝑧→𝑧𝑧0
Real and Imaginary Parts of a Continuous Function
Suppose that 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) = 𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) and 𝑧𝑧0 = 𝑥𝑥0 + 𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦0 . Then the complex
function 𝑓𝑓 is continuous at the point 𝑧𝑧0 if and only if both real functions 𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) and
𝑣𝑣(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) are continuous at the point (𝑥𝑥0 , 𝑦𝑦0 ).

Properties of Continuous Functions

Continuity of Polynomial & Rational Functions
 Polynomial functions are continuous on the entire complex plane ℂ.

𝑝𝑝 𝑧𝑧
 A rational function 𝑓𝑓 𝑧𝑧 = is quotient of the polynomial functions
𝑞𝑞 𝑧𝑧
𝑝𝑝(𝑧𝑧) and 𝑞𝑞 𝑧𝑧 .

 Thus, it follows from above fact about polynomial functions and

properties of continuous functions that 𝑓𝑓(𝑧𝑧) is continuous at every point
𝑧𝑧0 for which 𝑞𝑞(𝑧𝑧0 ) ≠ 0.

 In other words, we say that rational functions are continuous on their

domains.