Complex Analysis – Proving Holomorphic Function Properties with Real Derivatives

analysiscomplex integrationcomplex-analysispower seriesreal-analysis

I have some difficulties with a question I have come across.
The question goes as follows:

Let $\Omega$ be an open set with $z_0 \in \Omega \cap \mathbb{R}$. Let $f: \Omega \to \mathbb{C}$ be holomorphic with the property that
$$f^{(k)}(z_0) \in \mathbb{R} \qquad \text{ for every } k = 0, 1, 2,…$$
(a) Let $r > 0$ be such that the open interval $(z_0 – r, z_0 +r)$ is contained in the domain $\Omega$. Prove that $f(x) \in \mathbb{R}$ for every $x \in (z_0 – r, z_0 + r)$.

(b) Suppose in addition that $\Omega$ is connected. Does it follow that $f(x) \in \mathbb{R}$ for every $x \in \Omega \cap \mathbb{R}$? Prove or give a counterexample.

With (a) I know that i probably have to use the fact that, because $f$ is holomorphic in $\Omega$, there exists a disc $D_R(z_0)$ such that

$$f(z) = \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{f^{(n)}(z_0)}{n!} (z-z_0)^n$$

for every $z \in D_R(z_0)$.

This solves the question for $r \leq R$, because $f^{(n)}(z_0) \in \mathbb{R}$ and for $z \in D_R(z_0) \cap \mathbb{R}$ we have $(z – z_0) \in \mathbb{R}$.
But I don't know what to do when $r > R$.

And for (b) I have actually no clue.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Best Answer

For (b) consider $\Omega = \Bbb C \setminus \{y i\mid y\ge 0\}$ and $f(z) = \log(iz)- \frac{\pi}{2}i$.

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