An entire function is a type of complex function that is defined and differentiable at all points in the complex plane. This means that it has no singularities or discontinuities anywhere in the complex plane.
To understand entire functions better, we can consider their properties. Since they are differentiable everywhere, these functions are represented by a power series that converges for all values of the complex variable. In simpler terms, an entire function can be expressed as:
f(z) = a0 + a1z + a2z2 + a3z3 + …
where z is a complex number and the coefficients an are complex numbers as well.
Some common examples of entire functions include:
- The exponential function: f(z) = ez
- Polynomial functions: f(z) = zn + an-1zn-1 + … + a1z + a0
- Trigonometric functions, like sine and cosine, when expressed in complex form.
Entire functions are essential in complex analysis and have applications in various fields, including physics and engineering. They are crucial for understanding the behavior of complex functions and play a vital role in theorems like Liouville’s theorem, which states that any bounded entire function must be constant.