The Pierce Lab
California Institute of Technology
ACM 95a/ACM 100a
Introductory Methods of Applied Mathematics
Instructor
Niles A. Pierce
165 Broad
Open office hours
Overview
The first term introduces the methods of complex analysis.
Topics
Part 1
Introduction to complex numbers, polar form, Euler's formula, the complex exponential, trigonometric functions, deMoivre's formula, integer powers and roots, the complex logarithm, multiple-valuedness, periodicity, complex exponents, inverse trigonometric functions, one-to-one mappings, Riemann surfaces, the point at infinity, the stereographic projection, branch points and branch cuts, branch point at infinity, regions of the complex plane, limits and continuity, the complex derivative, analyticity, the Cauchy-Riemann equations, harmonic functions, harmonic conjugates, potential flow applications, complex integration, parameterization, contours, fundamental theorem for contour integration, equivalence between existence of antiderivatives, vanishing of closed contour integrals and independence of path, the Cauchy-Goursat theorem, extensions to self-intersecting contours and multiply-connected domains, deformation of contours, Cauchy integral formula, derivatives of analytic functions, generalized Cauchy integral formula, Morera's theorem.
Part 2
Uniform convergence, Taylor series, uniqueness of analytic functions, power series, Weierstrass M-test, circle of convergence, the ratio test, integration of power series, analyticity of power series, differentiation of power series, uniqueness of power series, arithmetic operations on power series, Laurent series, zeros of analytic functions, isolated singularities, removable singularities, poles, essential singularities, Picard's theorem, non-isolated essential singularities, residues, calculating residues, Cauchy's residue theorem, real trigonometric integrals, improper integrals, the Cauchy principal value, Jordan's lemma, indented contours, integrals involving branch points, winding number, meromorphic functions, the argument principle, analytic continuation, the monodromy theorem, conformal mapping, angle preservation, local scaling, critical points, open mapping property, inverse mappings, solving the Laplace equation by conformal mapping of harmonic functions.
Lecture Handouts
Regions and limits
The Cauchy-Goursat Theorem
Midterm Material
Taylor Series
Singularities
Conformal Mappings
Final Material
Primary Text
E.B. Saff and A.D. Snider. Complex Variables for Mathematics, Science and Engineering, 3rd Ed., Prentice Hall, 2002.
Reserve Texts
- M.J. Ablowitz and A.S. Fokas. Complex Variables: Introduction and Applications, Cambridge University Press, 1997.
- J.W. Brown and R.V. Churchill. Complex Variables and Applications, 6th Ed., McGraw Hill, 1996.
- N. Levinson and R.M. Redheffer. Complex Variables, Holden-Day, 1970.
Problem Sets
- Available online at 3pm
- Due at 3pm in the slot of Firestone 303
- Collaboration is encouraged but prepare your own unique solutions
- It is a violation of the honor code to use ACM95/100 materials from previous years except for the abridged version of Sean Mach's text book available from the ACM95/100 Underground web site
- If you need help, ask a TA...
- If you still need help, ask the instructor
- Extensions only in exceptional circumstances: see the Head TA
- Accepted without extension for 50% credit up to one week late
- Solutions available online on the evening of the due date
- Please report suspected errors in problems or solutions to the Head TA
Exams
- Calculators are not permitted
- Closed-book: with the exception of official lecture handouts and problem set questions, only material written in your own hand or typed by your own hand may be used during exams
- Extensions only with permission of the Dean
- The Head TA will offer a review session before each exam
Grading
25% problem sets, 37.5% midterm, 37.5% final
Problem Set & Exam Schedule
| Available | Due | |
|---|---|---|
| PS 1 | Friday 10/5 | Friday 10/12 |
| PS 2 | Friday 10/12 | Friday 10/19 |
| PS 3 | Friday 10/19 | Friday 10/26 |
| PS 4 | Friday 10/26 | Friday 11/2 |
| Midterm | Friday 11/2 | Tuesday 11/6 |
| PS 5 | Tuesday 11/6 | Tuesday 11/13 |
| PS 6 | Tuesday 11/13 | Tuesday 11/20 |
| PS 7 | Tuesday 11/20 | Friday 11/30 |
| PS 8 | Friday 11/30 | Friday 12/7 |
| Final | Tuesday 12/11 | Friday 12/14 |
Tutorial Sections
Attend any sections of your choosing. Please leave your official section unchanged.
| Section | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4pm Thurs | 119 Downs |
| B | 11am Tues | 119 Downs |
| C | 1pm Tues | 11 Downs |
| D | 2pm Mon | 119 Downs |
| E | 2pm Wed | 119 Downs |
| F | 2pm Thurs | 119 Downs |
| G | 3pm Mon | 070 Moore |
| H | 10am Wed | 11 Downs |
| I | 10am Mon | 11 Downs |
| J | 1pm Thurs | 103 Downs |
Teaching Assistants
Head TA: and the ACM95/100 Underground
| Name | Office hour | Location | Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3pm Thurs | 214 Firestone | A | |
| 10am Tues | 212 Firestone | B | |
| 4pm Wed | Sloan Annex* | C | |
| 3pm Mon | 216 Firestone | D | |
| 1pm Fri | 226 Guggenheim | E | |
| 3pm Wed | 212 Firestone | F | |
| 9am Thurs | 024 SFL** | G | |
| 11pm Thurs | Fleming Lounge | H | |
| 1pm Wed | 234 Page | I | |
| 2pm Wed | 220 SFL | J |
* Common area on the 1st floor, enter via east door
** Enter via west door of Spalding