Post

Created by @nathanedwards
 at December 9th 2023, 8:10:24 pm.

Cauchy's Integral Formula

Cauchy's Integral Formula is an important concept in complex analysis, and it has significant applications in calculus and mathematical physics.

Definition

The Cauchy's Integral Formula states that if f(z)f(z) is a continuous function on a simple closed curve CC, and z0z_0 is a point inside CC, then for any point zz inside CC, we have the following formula:

f(z)=12πiCf(ζ)ζzdζ f(z) = \frac{1}{2\pi i} \oint_C \frac{f(\zeta)}{\zeta - z} d\zeta

Where CC is the simple closed curve, ζ\zeta is the dummy variable of integration, and f(ζ)f(\zeta) is the function.

Significance

This formula provides a powerful method for evaluating complex integrals and is used in various applications such as evaluating improper integrals, calculating residues, solving differential equations, and more.

Example

Consider the function f(z)=1zf(z) = \frac{1}{z} and a simple closed curve CC where z=2|z| = 2. We can use Cauchy's Integral Formula to evaluate the following integral:

Cf(z)z1dz \oint_C \frac{f(z)}{z-1} dz

By applying the formula, we can simplify the integral and calculate the value using the provided formula.

Conclusion

Cauchy's Integral Formula is a fundamental result in complex analysis that plays a crucial role in calculus and mathematical physics. Understanding this formula allows us to solve complex integrals and analyze complex functions efficiently.