[Math] Complex function mapping the unit circle onto an interval

complex numberscomplex-analysis

Show that the function $f(z) = z^2 + z^{-2}$ maps the unit circle onto the interval $[-2, 2]$.

Okay so far, doing previous questions I firstly try and find the inverse mapping. Here I considered the unit circle as $|z| = 1$. I then converted this to $x^2 + y^2 = 1$.

However with this question I don't know how to find the inverse mapping of the above function so I'm stuck unfortunately.

Best Answer

Since our domain is the unit circle, $z$ is the form $e^{i\theta}=\cos(\theta)+i\sin(\theta)$

$$z^2=\cos(2\theta)+i\sin(2\theta)$$

$$z^{-2}=\cos(2\theta)-i\sin(2\theta)$$

$$z^2+\frac1{z^2}=2\cos(2\theta)$$

And we are done.