2013 Preliminary Examinations Question

Compilation
Complex Numbers
1. (2013/AJC/Prelim/P1/Q11)
(a) The complex numbers s and w satisfy
s w = 6i and sw = 10.
Given that Re (s) > 0, solve the equations for s and w, giving all answers
in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [4]
Solution. Note that the dierence s w is purely imaginary, which
implies that Re (s) = Re (w). Let s = a +bi and w = a +ci, where a, b
and c are real and a > 0.
b c = 6 (1)
(a + bi) (a + ci) = 10
a
2
bc + a (b + c) i = 10
a
2
bc = 10 (2)
a (b + c) = 0 (3)
a > 0, b + c = 0 (4)
Solving (1) and (4) simultaneously, b = 3 and c = 3. Substituting
these values into (2),
a
2
+ 9 = 10
a
2
= 1
a = 1 ( a > 0)
Hence, s = 1 + 3i and w = 1 3i.
1
Hence nd the solution to the following equations
u v = 6 and uv = 10.
Give your answers for u and v in the form x + iy, where x and y are
real. [2]
Solution. Let u = is and v = iw, which transforms the given equations
into:
s w = 6i and sw = 10,
which implies s = 1+3i and w = 13i, or s = 1+3i and w = 13i
(the second pair of values is required as there is no restriction to the
real parts of u and v here). Thus, u = 3+i and v = 3+i or u = 3i
and v = 3 i.
(b) Find, in the form z = re
i
, the three roots z
1
, z
2
and z
3
of the equation
z
3
= 3 +

3i where arg (z
1
) < arg (z
2
) < arg (z
3
). Give your answers
in exact form. [3]
Solution.
z
3
= 3 +

3i
z
3
= 12
1
2
e
i

5
6
+2k

, k Z
z = 12
1
6
e
i

5
18
+
2k
3

Letting k = 1, 0, 1, we obtain three distinct solutions:

z
1
= 12
1
6
e

7
18
i
, z
2
= 12
1
6
e
5
18
i
, z
3
= 12
1
6
e
17
18
i
The points Z
1
, Z
2
and Z
3
represent z
1
, z
2
and z
3
respectively. Find the
area of the triangle formed by Z
1
Z
2
Z
3
. [2]
Solution. Note that triangle Z
1
Z
2
Z
3
is an equilateral triangle made up
of three congruent triangles Z
1
OZ
2
, Z
2
OZ
3
and Z
3
OZ
1
.
Area of triangle Z
1
OZ
2
=
1
2
OZ
1
OZ
2
sin Z
1
OZ
2
=
1
2
12
1
6
12
1
6
sin
2
3
=

3
4
12
1
3
square units
Area of triangle Z
1
Z
2
Z
3
=
3

3
4
12
1
3
square units
2
The constant c is a complex number such that the points representing
cz
1
, cz
2
and cz
3
form another equilateral triangle which is congruent to
triangle Z
1
Z
2
Z
3
, and one of its vertices lies on the positive real axis.
Find a suitable value for the complex constant c in exponential form.
[2]
Solution. Note that |c| = 1, since the two equilateral triangles are con-
gruent. Let c = e
i
, where (, ]. Therefore,
arg (cz
1
) = arg (c) + arg (z
1
)
=
7
18
Similarly, arg (cz
2
) = +
5
18
arg (cz
3
) = +
17
18
If one of the vertices of the new equilateral triangle lies on the positive
real axis, then one of the above arguments must equal zero. Hence,
=
7
18
,
5
18
or
17
18
and c = e
7
18
i
, e

5
18
i
or e

17
18
i
.
3
2. (2013/AJC/Prelim/P2/Q3)
The complex number z satises the following conditions:
(a) |z 3 4i| 5,
(b) |z 3 4i| |z + 4 3i|.
On a single Argand diagram, sketch the locus of the points representing z.
[4]
Solution. The Argand diagram is show below:
|z 3 4i| = |z + 4 3i|
Locus of z
5
(3, 4)
(4, 3)
(10, 0) 0
Re
Im
Find
(i) the range of values for arg

z 10

. [4]
Solution. The intersections of the perpendicular bisector and the circle
are (0, 0) and (1, 7). Note that arg

z 10

=
1
2
arg (z 10). With
reference to the Argand diagram drawn:
Maximum of arg (z 10) =
Minimum of arg (z 10) = tan
1

7 0
10 (1)

4
= tan
1
7
11
Range:

2

1
2
tan
1
7
11
arg

z 10

2
(ii) the least value of |iz + 7 + i|. [2]
Solution. Taking out the factor i from the expression,
|iz + 7 + i| = |i| |z + 1 7i|
= (1) |z (1 + 7i)|
= |z (1 + 7i)|
Since the point (1, 7) lies in the locus of z, the least value of |iz + 7 + i|
would have to be 0.
3. (2013/ACJC/Prelim/P1/Q3)
The complex number z satises the relations |z 25| 15 and |z 25| =
|z 35 20i|.
(a) Illustrate both of these relations on a single Argand diagram, indicating
clearly the intersection of the two loci. [3]
(b) Find the greatest value of arg (z 25). [2]
4. (2013/ACJC/Prelim/P2/Q2)
The polynomial P(z) = 2z
4
+ aiz
3
+ 2z + ai, a R, has factor 2z i.
(a) Find the exact value of a. [2]
(b) Solve the equation P(z) = 0, leaving your answers in the form re
i
,
where r > 0 and < . [4]
(c) One of the roots z
1
, is such that 0 < arg (z
1
) <

2
. The locus of points
representing z, where arg (z z
1
) = k, passes through the origin. Find
the exact value of k, and the cartesian equation of this locus. [3]
5