For which $(a,b) \in \mathbb{R}$ is $x^2+2axy+by^2$ the real part of a holomorphic function

complex-analysis

I am working on the following exercise:

For which $a,b \in \mathbb{R}$ is $u := x^2+2axy+by^2$ the real part of a holomorphic function in $\mathbb{C}$? For each of these $(a,b)$ find all holomorphic functions.

I think we should use the Cauchy-Riemann Differential Equations here, so for the imaginary part $v$ of a holomorphic function has to hold:

$$\frac{\partial u}{\partial_x} = 2x+2ay = \frac{\partial v}{\partial_y}$$

$$\frac{\partial u}{\partial_y} = 2ax+2by = -\frac{\partial v}{\partial_x}$$

To get $v$ from the partial derivatives I would say that we need integration. Integrating $2x+2ay$ over $y$ yields
$$2xy+ay^2+C_1$$
and integrating $(-1) \cdot (2ax+2by)$ over $x$ yields
$$-ax^2-2bxy+C_2$$
I do not know how to continue from here. Could you help me?

Best Answer

If $u$ is the real part of a holomorphic function, $u$ is harmonic (and this follows from Cauchy-Riemann equations).

Thus, a necessary condition for $y$ to be the real part of a holomorphic function is that $$ \Delta u=0\\ 2+2b=0\\ b=-1 $$

Conversely, a harmonic function in all of $\mathbb{R}^2$ is the real part of an holomorphic function (which in our case you can determine explicitly), and we are done

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