Complex numbers PPQs Paper 1 [77 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 18] SPM.1.AHL.TZ0.11

(a) Express −3 + √3i in the form reiθ, where r > 0 and −π < θ ⩽ π

. [5]

Markscheme

attempt to find modulus (M1)

r = 2√ 3 (= √ 12) A1

attempt to find argument in the correct quadrant (M1)

√3
θ = π + arctan (−
3
) A1

5π
=
6
A1

5πi 5πi

−3 + √ 3i = √ 12e 6
(= 2√ 3e 6
)

[5 marks]

Let the roots of the equation z3 = −3 + √ 3i be u, v and w.

(b) Find u, v and w expressing your answers in the form reiθ, where
r > 0 and −π < θ ⩽ π. [5]

Markscheme

attempt to find a root using de Moivre’s theorem M1

1 5πi

12 6
e 18
A1

2π
attempt to find further two roots by adding and subtracting 3
to the argument
M1
1 7πi

12 6
e
−
18
A1
1 17πi

12 6
e 18
A1
 Note: Ignore labels for u, v and w at this stage.

[5 marks]

On an Argand diagram, u, v and w are represented by the points U, V and W respectively.

(c) Find the area of triangle UVW. [4]

Markscheme

METHOD 1
attempting to find the total area of (congruent) triangles UOV, VOW and UOW M1

1 1
1 2π
Area = 3(
2
) (12 6
) (12 6
)sin
3
A1A1

1 1
2π
Note: Award A1 for (12 6
) (12 6
) and A1 for sin 3

1
3√ 3
= 4
(12 3
) (or equivalent) A1

METHOD 2

1
2 1
2 1 1

UV2 =
2π
(12 6
) + (12 6
) − 2 (12 6
) (12 6
)cos
3
(or equivalent) A1

UV = √ 3 (12 6
) (or equivalent) A1

attempting to find the area of UVW using Area = 1

2
× UV × VW × sin α for example
M1

1 1
1 π
Area = 2
(√ 3 × 12 6
) (√ 3 × 12 6
)sin
3

1
3√ 3
= 4
(12 3
) (or equivalent) A1
 [4 marks]

(d) By considering the sum of the roots u, v and w, show that

= 0. [4]
5π 7π 17π
cos + cos + cos
18 18 18

Markscheme

u+v+w= 0 R1
1
7π 7π 5π 5π 17π 17π
12 6
(cos (− ) + i sin (− ) + cos + i sin + cos + i sin ) = 0
18 18 18 18 18 18

A1

consideration of real parts M1

1
7π 5π 17π
12 6
(cos (− ) + cos + cos ) = 0
18 18 18

7π 17π
cos (−
18
) = cos
18
explicitly stated A1

cos
5π

18
+ cos
7π

18
+ cos
17π

18
= 0 AG

[4 marks]
2. [Maximum mark: 22] 23M.1.AHL.TZ2.11
Consider the complex number u = −1 + √ 3i.

(a) By finding the modulus and argument of u, show that u = 2e

i
2π

3 . [3]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

2
2
|u| = √ (−1) + (√ 3) (= √ 1 + 3) A1

= 2 AG

reference angle = π

3
OR arg u = π − tan
−1
(√ 3) OR

arg u = π + tan
−1
(−√ 3) M1

= π −
π

3
A1

Note: Award the above M1A1 for a labelled diagram that convincingly shows that
2π
arg u =
3
.

2π

and so u . AG
2π i
= = 2e 3
3

METHOD 2

π
reference angle = 3
OR arg u = π − tan
−1
(√ 3) OR

arg u = π + tan
−1
(−√ 3) M1

= π −
π

3
A1
 Note: Award the above M1A1 for a labelled diagram that convincingly shows that
arg u =
2π

3
.

=
2π

3
AG

2π 2π
r(cos + i sin ) = −1 + √ 3i
3 3

−1 −1 √3 √3
r = 2π
= 1
OR r = 2π
= √3
A1
cos − sin
3 2 3
2

2π

= 2 and so u = 2e AG
i
3

[3 marks]

(b.i) Find the smallest positive integer n such that un is a real number. [3]

Markscheme

u
n
∈ R ⇒
2nπ

3
= kπ (k ∈ Z) (M1)(A1)

Note: Award M1 for noting that sin 2nπ

3
= 0 from

2nπ 2nπ
).
n n
u = 2 (cos + i sin
3 3

Award (A1) for a multiple of 3 considered.

n = 3 A1

[3 marks]
(b.ii) Find the value of un when n takes the value found in part (b)(i). [2]

Markscheme

substitutes their value (must be a multiple of 3) for n into un (M1)

3 3
u = 2 cos 2π

= 8 A1

[2 marks]

(c) Consider the equation z3 + 5z2 + 10z + 12 = 0, where z ∈ C.

(c.i) Given that u is a root of z3 + 5z2 + 10z + 12 = 0, find the other

roots. [5]

Markscheme

−1 − √ 3i is a root (by the conjugate root theorem) A1

2π

Note: Accept 2e−i 3 .

let z = c be the real root

EITHER

uses sum of roots (equated to ±5) (M1)

((−1 + √ 3i) + (−1 − √ 3i) + c) = −5 (A1)

−2 + c = −5 (A1)
 OR

uses product of roots (equated to ±12) (M1)

(−1 + √ 3i)(−1 − √ 3i)c = −12 (A1)

4c = −12 (A1)

OR

2
(z − (−1 + √ 3i))(z − (−1 + √ 3i)) = z + 2z + 4 (A1)

compares coefficients eg (M1)

2 3 2
(z − c)(z + 2z + 4) = z + 5z + 10z + 12

4c = −12 (A1)

THEN

c = −3 (and so z = −3 is a root) A1

[5 marks]

(c.ii) By using a suitable transformation from z to w, or otherwise, find the

roots of the equation 1 + 5w + 10w2 + 12w3 = 0, where

w ∈ C. [4]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

compares z3 + 5z2 + 10z + 12 = 0 and 1 + 5w + 10w

2
+ 12w
3
= 0

1 1
z =
w
⇒ w =
z
A2
 1 1 −1±√ 3i
w = −
3
, (=
4
) A1A1
−1±√ 3i

METHOD 2

attempts to factorize into a product of a linear factor and a quadratic factor (M1)

1 + 5w + 10w
2
+ 12w
3
= (3w + 1)(4w
2
+ 2w + 1) A1

1 1 −1±√ 3i
w = −
3
, (=
4
) A1A1
−1±√ 3i

[4 marks]

(d) Consider the equation z2 = 2z , where z

*
∈ C, z ≠ 0.

By expressing z in the form a + bi, find the roots of the equation. [5]

Markscheme

2
(a + bi) = 2(a − bi) A1

attempts to expand and equate real and imaginary parts: M1

2 2
a − b = 2abi = 2a − 2bi

= 2a and 2ab = −2b

2 2
a − b

attempts to find the value of a or b M1

2b(a + 1) = 0

= 2a ⇒ a = 2 (real root) A1
2
b = 0 ⇒ a

= −2 ⇒ b = ±√ 3 (complex roots −1 ± √ 3i) A1

2
a = −1 ⇒ 1 − b
[5 marks]
3. [Maximum mark: 18] 22N.1.AHL.TZ0.12
Let zn be the complex number defined as zn = (n
2
+ n + 1) + i for n ∈ N.

(a.i) Find arg(z0). [2]

Markscheme

z0 = 1 + i (A1)

π
arg(z0) = arctan(1) =
4
= 45° A1

Note: Accept any of these three forms, including an answer marked on an Argand
diagram.

[2 marks]

(a.ii) Write down an expression for arg(zn) in terms of n. [1]

Markscheme

1
arg(zn) = arctan( 2
n +n+1
) A1

[1 mark]

Let wn = z0z1z2z3 … zn−1zn for n ∈ N.

(b.i) Show that arctan (a) + arctan (b) = arctan (

a+b
) for
1−ab

, ab < 1. [2]
+
a, b ∈ R

Markscheme

attempt to use the compound angle formula for tan M1

 tan (arctan (a))+tan (arctan (b))
tan (arctan (a) + arctan (b)) =
1−tan (arctan (a)) tan (arctan (b))

A1
a+b
=
1−ab

AG
a+b
⇒ arctan (a) + arctan (b) = arctan ( )
1−ab

[2 marks]

(b.ii) Hence or otherwise, show that arg(w1) = arctan (2). [3]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

arg(w1) = arg(z0z1) = arg(z0) + arg(z1) M1

1
= arctan (1) + arctan (
3
) (A1)
1
1+
= arctan(
3

1
) A1
1−
3

= arctan (2) AG

METHOD 2

w1 = z0z1 = (1 + i)(3 + i) (M1)

= 2 + 4i A1

) or labelled Argand diagram A1

4
arg(w1) = arctan(
2

= arctan (2) AG

[3 marks]
(c) Prove by mathematical induction that arg(wn) = arctan(n + 1)

for n ∈ N. [10]

Markscheme

let n = 0

π
LHS = arg(w0) = arg(z0) = arctan(1)(= )
4

π
RHS = arctan(1)(= ) so LHS = RHS R1
4

Note: Award R0 for not starting at n = 0, for example by referring to the result in
(b)(ii) for n = 1. Award subsequent marks.

assume true for n = k, (so arg(wk) = arctan(k + 1)) M1

Note: Do not award M1 for statements such as “let n = k” or “ n = k is true”.

Subsequent marks can still be awarded.

arg(wk+1)

= arg(wkzk+1)(= arg(wk) + arg(zk+1)) (M1)

= arctan(k + 1) + arctan( 2
1
) A1
(k+1) +(k+1)+1

1
(k+1)+( )
2

M1
(k+1) +(k+1)+1
= arctan( )
1
1−(k+1)( )
2
(k+1) +(k+1)+1

1
(k+1)+( )
2

(A1)
k +3k+3
= arctan( )
1
1−(k+1)( )
2
k +3k+3
 2
(k+1)(k +3k+3)+1
= arctan( 2
)
(k +3k+3)-(k+1)

3 2
k +4k +6k+4
= arctan( 2
k +2k+2
) A1

2
(k+2)(k +2k+2)
= arctan( 2
k +2k+2
) A1

= arctan(k + 2)(= arctan((k + 1) + 1)) A1

since true for n = 0, and true for n = k + 1 if true for n = k, the statement is

true for all n ∈ N by mathematical induction R1

Note: To obtain the final R1, four of the previous marks must have been awarded.

[10 marks]
4. [Maximum mark: 6] 22M.1.AHL.TZ1.9
Consider the complex numbers z1 = 1 + bi and z2 = (1 − b ) − 2bi, where
2

b ∈ R, b ≠ 0.

(a) Find an expression for z1z2 in terms of b. [3]

Markscheme

2
z1z2 = (1 + bi)((1 − b ) − (2b)i)

2
= (1 − b
2 2
− 2i b ) + i(−2b + b − b )
3
M1

A1A1
2 3
= (1 + b ) + i(−b − b )

Note: Award A1 for 1 + b2 and A1 for −bi − b3i.

[3 marks]

(b) Hence, given that arg(z1z2) =

π
, find the value of b. [3]
4

Markscheme

−b−b
3
π
arg(z1z2) = arctan(
1+b
2
) =
4
(M1)

EITHER
π
arctan(−b) =
4
(since 1 + b2 ≠ 0, for b ∈ R) A1

OR

−b − b
3
= 1 + b
2
(or equivalent) A1

THEN
b = −1 A1

[3 marks]
5. [Maximum mark: 8] 21M.1.AHL.TZ1.7
Consider the quartic equation
+ 80z + 400 = 0, z ∈ C.
4 3 2
z + 4z + 8z

Two of the roots of this equation are a + bi and b + ai, where a, b ∈ Z.

Find the possible values of a. [8]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

other two roots are a − bi and b − ai A1

sum of roots = −4 and product of roots = 400 A1

attempt to set sum of four roots equal to −4 or 4 OR

attempt to set product of four roots equal to 400 M1

a + bi + a − bi + b + ai + b − ai = −4

2a + 2b = −4(⇒ a + b = −2) A1

(a + bi)(a − bi) (b + ai)(b − ai) = 400

2
(a
2
+ b )
2
= 400 A1

2 2
a + b = 20

attempt to solve simultaneous equations (M1)

a = 2 or a = −4 A1A1

METHOD 2

other two roots are a − bi and b − ai A1

(z − (a + bi))(z − (a − bi))(z − (b + ai))(z − (b − ai))(= 0) A1

2 2 2 2
((z − a) + b )((z − b) + a )(= 0)
(z
2 2
− 2az + a
2
+ b )(z
2
− 2bz + b
2 2
+ a )(= 0) A1

Attempt to equate coefficient of z3 and constant with the given quartic equation
M1

2
−2a − 2b = 4 and (a A1
2 2
+ b ) = 400

attempt to solve simultaneous equations (M1)

a = 2 or a = −4 A1A1

[8 marks]
6. [Maximum mark: 5] 20N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_4
Consider the equation 2z

3−z*
= i, where z = x + iy and x, y ∈ R.

Find the value of x and the value of y. [5]

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor
differences in marking or structure.

substituting z = x + iy and z*= x − iy M1

2(x+iy)
= i
3−(x−iy)

2x + 2iy = −y + i(3 − x)

equate real and imaginary: M1

y = −2x AND 2y = 3 − x A1

Note: If they multiply top and bottom by the conjugate, the equations
2
= 0 and 6y − 4xy = (3 − x) may be seen. Allow
2 2 2
6x − 2x + 2y + y

for A1.

solving simultaneously:

x = −1, y = 2 (z = −1 + 2i) A1A1

[5 marks]

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