English

Difficulties in Complex Multiplication and Exponentiation

Complex Variables 2010-04-22 v1

Abstract

During my study of the iteration of functions of the form f(z)=zα+cf(z)=z^{\alpha}+c, where z,c\mathbbCz,c \in \mathbbC, and α\alpha is a rational non-integer larger than 2 (\cite{s1}), I encountered a fundamental difficulty in the exponentiation of a complex number. This paper will explore this difficulty and the problems encountered in trying to resolve it using a Riemann surface which is the direct generalization of the polar form of the complex plane. This paper will also answer two questions raised by Robert Corless in his \emph{E.C.C.A.D.} presentation \cite{co}: "Can a Riemann surface variable be coded? What will the operations be on it?" Unfortunately, the addition operation will be incompatible with the Riemann surface structure.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1004.3711,
  title  = {Difficulties in Complex Multiplication and Exponentiation},
  author = {Joshua C. Sasmor},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1004.3711},
  year   = {2010}
}

Comments

17 pages, 9 figures (.ps format)

R2 v1 2026-06-21T15:13:07.482Z