University of Cambridge: Mistake on the exam? Extending holomorphic functions on intersecting discs

complex-analysis

Consider the following question

Let $D_1$ and $D_2$ be two overlapping closed discs. Let $f$ be a holomorphic function on some open neighborhood of $D = D_1 \cap D_2$. Show that there exist open neighborhoods $U_j$ of $D_j$ and holomorphic functions $f_j$ on $U_j$ for $j = 1, 2$, such that $f(z) = f_1(z) + f_2(z)$ on $U_1 \cap U_2$.

I am convinced that this is not necessarily true. Here is my counter-example:

Let $D_1$ and $D_2$ be the red and blue circles in the bellow diagram. Morever, let the black one be the unit disc.
enter image description here
Let
$$
f(z) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty z^{2^n}.
$$

Per this question, the function does not have an analytic continuation that contains any part of the unit circle. Now, in the question, by the identity theorem, we must have
$$
f_1 = f_2 = \frac{1}{2}f
$$

on $D$. As $f_1$ is holomorphic on $U_1$, it is holomorphic on $D_1$. But this together with the identity theorem on $D_1 \cap D$ gives us that $f$ can be analytically extended through the unit circle, which can not be true.

Question: Is my counter example correct?

Best Answer

Let $U$ be the neigbourhood of $D$ on which $f$ is defined, let $\Delta$ be a neighbourhood of $D$ contained in $U$ and let $C$ be the boundary of $\Delta$. Then, in $\Delta$, $$f(z)=\frac{1}{2\pi i}\int_{C}\frac{f(\lambda)}{\lambda-z}d\lambda.$$ Split the boundary into two continuous parts $C_1$ and $C_2$ so that their union is $C$ and $C_1 \cap D_1 = \emptyset$, $C_2 \cap D_2 = \emptyset$ (it is 'obvious' from a picture that you can do this, but you would need to prove it). Then you can use the first result in the question to define $f_1$ as $$f_1(z)=\frac{1}{2\pi i}\int_{C_1}\frac{f(\lambda)}{\lambda-z}d\lambda,$$ which will be holomorphic on $D_1$ and $f_2$ as $$f_2(z)=\frac{1}{2\pi i}\int_{C_2}\frac{f(\lambda)}{\lambda-z}d\lambda,$$ which will be holomorphic on $D_2$. The sum of $f_1$ and $f_2$ will equal $f$ in $\Delta$.

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