# Analytic in $\mathbb{C}$ implies $\left|\frac{f'(x)}{f(x)}\right|$ is bounded in $\mathbb{R}$?

If $f(z)$ is an analytic function in the complex plane, $z=x+iy$, and $f(x)\neq 0$ for all $x\in \mathbb R$, does this imply that $\frac{f'(x)}{f(x)}$ is bounded on $\mathbb R$?i.e., $\big|\frac{f'(x)}{f(x)}\big|\leq C$, for some $C>0$.

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For example $f(z)=\exp (z^2)$ is analytic and different from zero in the whole complex plane, and it has $f^\prime (z)=2z\ f(z)$. Hence for $x\in \mathbb{R}$ you get: $$\left| \frac{f^\prime (x)}{f(x)}\right| =2|x|$$ which is not bounded from above on the real line.

I'd like to remark that "having a bounded logarithmic derivative" implies an exponential growth/decay estimate for $f(x)$.

In fact, assume you can find a function $f(z)$ which satifies your requirements, i.e. it is analytic in the whole plane, its restriction to the real line differs from zero everywhere and has bounded logarithmic derivative, i.e.: $$\tag{BLD} \left| \frac{f^\prime (x)}{f(x)}\right| \leq C \qquad \text{, for }x\in \mathbb{R}$$

Assume for the time being also $f(x)>0$ for $x\in \mathbb{R}$ and $C>0$ (for, if $C=0$ then $f(x)$ is a constant); thus $f(x)$ satisfies the differential inequalities: $$-C\ f(x)\leq f^\prime (x)\leq C\ f(x)$$ which imply the growth/decay estimates: $$f(0)\ e^{-C|x|}\leq f(x)\leq f(0)\ e^{C|x|}\; .$$ If $f(x)<0$ then previous estimates rewrite: $$f(0)\ e^{C|x|} \leq f(x)\leq f(0)\ e^{-C|x|}\; .$$ Therefore in any case your function $f(x)$ satisfies: $$\tag{GDE} |f(0)|\ e^{-C|x|}\leq |f(x)|\leq |f(0)|\ e^{C|x|}\; .$$

Neverthless, I don't know if estimates (GDE) are equivalent to (BLD) in the case $f(x)$ is the restriction of an analytic function to the real line.

Certainly (GDE) is not equivalent to (BLD) for arbitrary real function: in fact, for example, the function $f(x) = \exp (|x|\ \sin x^4)$ is of class $C^1(\mathbb{R})$ (at least) and satisfies (GDE) with $C=1$, but it does not stisfy (BLD) for: $$f^\prime (x) = \operatorname{sign}(x)\ f(x)\ (4\ x^4\ \cos x^4 + \sin x^4)$$ hence: $$\left| \frac{f^\prime (x)}{f(x)}\right| = 4\ x^4\ \cos x^4 + \sin x^4$$ which is not bounded.

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Yes, this is a very good example. Thank you! –  Terra M Mar 8 '12 at 15:59
@TerraM : I just expanded the original answer, adding some considerations on the rate of growth at infinity. Hope you like. –  Pacciu Mar 8 '12 at 17:02
Do you know a reference where I can find a sufficient conditions for the logarithmic derivative to be bounded? –  Terra M Mar 8 '12 at 18:21
@TerraM Sorry, but I have no useful references to suggest at the moment... –  Pacciu Mar 8 '12 at 21:22
@ Pacciu, How can I contact you, I have a question that I would like to discuss with you! –  Terra M Mar 18 '12 at 13:52
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