Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2005 / ia / Paper 1 / 5C / iii / Solution

For $z\ne 0$, write $z=r{e}^{i\theta }$ with $r=\sqrt{x^2+y^2}>0$. The complex logarithm has values $\ln r+i(\theta +2\pi k)$, $k\in \mathbb{Z}$. ThereforeFor a specified single-valued branch, choose the corresponding continuous determination of the argument. In particular, the principal value uses $\mathrm{Arg}z\in (-\pi ,\pi ]$; it is not represented correctly by $\arctan (y/x)$ in every quadrant. The complex logarithm is undefined at zero.