# If $f=u+iv$ is an entire function such that $u^2\geq v^2,$ then $f$ is constant

Let $f=u+iv$ be an entire function such that $u^2(z) \geq v^2(z), \forall z \in \mathbb{C}.$ Could anyone advise me how to prove $f \equiv$ constant $?$ Hints will suffice. Thank you.

let $g(z)=f(z)-2i$, we have $|g(z)|\geq 1$ for all $z\in \Bbb C$, now let $h(z)=\dfrac{1}{g(z)}$, $h$ is entire and bounded hence it is constant.

(the inequality): $|g(z)|^2=u^2(z)+v^2(z)-4v(z)+4\geq 2v^2(z)-4v(z)+4=2(v(z)-1)^2+2\geq 1$

• You mean, $|g(z)|\geqslant\sqrt2$... – Did Sep 26 '14 at 16:34
• $\sqrt2\geq 1$.... – Hamou Sep 26 '14 at 16:37
• While the strength of the bound is immaterial to your argument, it does seem odd that you use $2(v^2+1)^2+2\geq 1$ rather than $\geq 2$. – Semiclassical Sep 26 '14 at 16:39
• @Alexy How do you arrive at $|g|\geqslant1$? – Did Sep 26 '14 at 16:44
• @Did: The solution by Hamou is self-explanatory. – Alexy Vincenzo Sep 26 '14 at 16:48

Observe that $f^2 = (u+iv)(u + iv) = (u^2 - v^2) + i(2uv)$. Since $f^2$ is entire, $u^2 - v^2$ is harmonic. Thus $u^2 - v^2$ is a nonnegative harmonic function.

There did not exists $z_0 ,z_1\in\mathbb{C}$ such that $f(z_0) =i$ and $f(z_1 )=2i$ and hence by Little Picard theorem $f$ must be constant.

$$u^2-v^2=\mathrm{Re}\,f^2\ge 0,$$ but the function $g=f^2+1$ also entire, and $$\lvert g\rvert=\lvert\, f^2+1\rvert\ge\mathrm{Re}\,(\,f^2+1) \ge 1.$$ Hence $$h=\frac{1}{g},$$ entire and bounded.

Express $f$ in polar coordinates, $f(z)=re^{iϕ}$ Then the inequality implies that ϕ is restricted to the interval $[0,π/4]$.