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Bilinear Transformation 📂Complex Anaylsis

Bilinear Transformation

Definition 1

A mapping ff that is conformal in its domain is called as follows:

  1. Translation f(z)=z+αf(z) = z + \alpha
  2. Magnification: f(z)=ρzf(z) = \rho z
  3. Rotation: f(z)=eiθzf(z) = e^{i \theta} z
  4. Inversion: f(z)=1zf(z) = {{1} \over {z}}
  5. Bilinear Transformation: f(z)=αz+βγz+δ\displaystyle f(z) = {{ \alpha z + \beta } \over { \gamma z + \delta }}

  • In translation, we have αC\alpha \in \mathbb{C}, and in magnification, we have ρR\rho \in \mathbb{R}^{ \ast }.

Explanation

Among 1 to 4, the most distinct one is 4. Inversion, and therefore, only 1 to 3 combined are separately called Linear Transformation. No matter if a figure is moved, scaled, or rotated, i.e., undergoes a linear transformation, its shape itself is preserved; however, this is not the case with inversion.

On examining the bilinear transformation closely, it appears to be a combination of 1 to 4, firstly researched by Möbius, hence also known as the Möbius Transformation. When differentiated, it yields f(z)=αδβγ(γz+δ)2\displaystyle f '(z) = {{ \alpha \delta - \beta \gamma } \over { ( \gamma z + \delta )^2 }}, noting that to satisfy the condition of conformal mapping, it is necessary to adhere to αδβγ\alpha \delta \ne \beta \gamma.


  1. Osborne (1999). Complex variables and their applications: p199~201. ↩︎