17 Complex Numbers

Abraham de Moivre was born in

Vitry-le-Franois in France on 26
May 1667. It was not until his late
teenage years that de Moivre had
any formal mathematics training. In
1685 religious persecution of
Protestants became very serious in
France and de Moivre, as a
practising Protestant, was
imprisoned for his religious beliefs.
The length of time for which he
was imprisoned is unclear, but by
1688 he had moved to England and
was a private tutor of mathematics,
and was also teaching in the coffee
houses of London. In the last decade
of the 15th century he met Newton
and his first mathematics paper
Abraham de Moivre
arose from his study of fluxions in
Newtons Principia. This first paper was accepted by the Royal Society in 1695 and in
1697 de Moivre was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He researched mortality
statistics and probability and during the first decade of the 16th century he published
his theory of probability. In 1710 he was asked to evaluate the claims of Newton and
Leibniz to be the discoverers of calculus. This was a major and important undertaking
at the time and it is interesting that it was given to de Moivre despite the fact he had
found it impossible to gain a university post in England. In many ways de Moivre is
best known for his work with the formula 1cos x  i sin x2 n . The theorem that comes
from this bears his name and will be introduced in this chapter.
De Moivre was also famed for predicting the day of his own death. He noted that each
night he was sleeping 15 minutes longer and by treating this as an arithmetic
progression and summing it, he calculated that he would die on the day that he slept
for 24 hours.This was 27 November 1754 and he was right!

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17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

17.1 Imaginary numbers

Example

Up until now we have worked with any number k that belongs to the real numbers and

Simplify 15i7  3i18.

has the property k2  0. Hence we have not been able to find 2negative number and

15i  3i

have not been able to solve equations such as x2  1. In this chapter we begin by

18

 45i

25

 45i24  i

 451i4 2 6  i

defining a new set of numbers called imaginary numbers and state that i  21.

 4511 2 6  i
 45i

An imaginary number is any number of the form

2n2  2n2  1

 2n2  21

Dividing imaginary numbers

 ni

This is done in the same way as multiplication.

Adding and subtracting imaginary numbers

Imaginary numbers are added in the usual way and hence 3i  7i  10i.

Example

They are also subtracted in the usual way and hence 3i  7i  4i.

Simplify 60i27  25i18.

Multiplying imaginary numbers

60i27  25i 18 

60i 27
25i 18
12 9
i
5
12 4 2
1i 2 i
5
12 2
112 i
5
12
i
5

When we multiply two imaginary numbers we need to consider the fact that powers of
i can be simplified as follows:




i2  i  i  21  21  1

i3  i2  i  1  i  i

i4  i2  i2  1  1  1

i5  i4  i  1  i  i

If the power of i in the numerator is lower than the power of i in the denominator then
This pattern now continues and is shown
in the diagram:

we need to use the fact that i4  1.

i2  1

1  i4

i3  i

Example
This reminds us that
every fourth multiple
comes full circle.

Simplify 27i20  18i25.

20

27i
18i25
3
 5
2i
3i8
 5 since i8  1i4 2 2  1
2i
3
 i3
2
3
 i
2

27i20  18i25 

Example

Simplify i34.
Since i4  1 we simplify this to the form i4n  ix.

Hence i34  i32  i2

 1i 2  i2
4 8

 1  1
 1
8

Hence when performing these operations the answers should not involve powers of i.

474

475

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Exercise 1

Example

1 Add the following imaginary numbers.

a 3i  15i

Simplify 15  7i2  12  3i2.

15  7i2  12  3i2  15  2 2  17i  3i 2
 7  4i

b 20i  18i

c 5i  70i  35i  2i
d 15i  45i
2 Subtract the following imaginary numbers.
a 20i  8i
b 38i  23i

Example

c 56i  80i

Simplify 19  2i2  14  7i2.

19  2i2  14  7i2  19  4 2  12i  7i 2
 5  5i

d 25i  31i  16i  62i

3 Multiply the following imaginary numbers giving the answer in the form n or ni
where n H .
a 16  15i
b 4i  8i
c 15i2  3i3

d 8i  12i4

e 9i  8i

f 7i  5i

g 3i  5i  6i
2

Multiplication of complex numbers

4 Divide the following imaginary numbers giving the answer in the form n or ni
where n H .
a 15i  2i
15i3
c
6i2
5 Find x if:

b 6i  3i

Example
3  2i2
b
 xi
i

a xi  3i3  4i5  2i
6 Simplify these.
5

6i  3i  2i
4i
2

3i4
2i5
3i
 2  2
2i
i
i

12i  32 13i  22  6i2  9i  4i  6

 6112  9i  4i  6
 12  5i

a 3i  6i  8i  2i
c

Simplify 12i  32 13i  22.

d 16  i

i2  1. It is similar to expanding two brackets to form a quadratic expression.

This is done by applying the distributive law to two brackets and remembering that

2i3  3i3  7i4

b
3i
6
2i
d 3i5  3
6i

17.2 Complex numbers

A complex number is defined as one that has a real and an imaginary part. Examples
of these would be 2  3i or 6  5i.
They are generally written in the form z  x  iy where x and y can have any real value
including zero.
Hence 6 is a complex number since it can be written in the form 6  0i and 5i is a
complex number since it can be written as 0  5i.
Hence both real numbers and imaginary numbers are actually subsets of complex
numbers and the notation for this set is .
Thus we can say 3  5i H .

Example
Simplify 16  i2 16  i2.

16  i2 16  i2  36  6i  6i  i2
 36  112
 37

We can also use the binomial theorem to simplify complex numbers.

Example
Express 13  2i2 5 in the form x  iy.

13  2i2 5  5C0 132 5 12i2 0  5C1 13 2 4 12i2 1  5C2 132 3 12i2 2

 C3 132 12i2  C4 132 12i2  C5 132 0 12i2 5

5

 243  40512i2  27014i 2  9018i3 2  15116i4 2  132i5 2

 243  40512i2  270142  9018i2  151162  132i2
 597  122i
2

Adding and subtracting complex numbers

This is done by adding or subtracting the real parts and the imaginary parts in separate
groups.

476

477

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Division of complex numbers

Example

Before we do this, we have to introduce the concept of a conjugate complex number.

Any pair of complex numbers of the form x  iy and x  iy are said to be conjugate
and x  iy is said to be the conjugate of x  iy.

Solve x  iy  13  i2 12  3i2.
x  iy  13  i2 12  3i2

If x  iy is denoted by z, then its conjugate x  iy is denoted by z or z*.

1 x  iy  6  2i  9i  3i2

Conjugate complex numbers have the property that when multiplied the result is real.
This was demonstrated in the example at the top of the page and the result in general is

1 x  iy  6  7i  3112

1x  iy2 1x  iy2  x2  ixy  ixy  i2y2

 x2  112y2

 x2  y2

Note the similarity to

evaluating the difference
of two squares.

1 x  iy  9  7i
Equating the real parts of the complex number gives x  9.
Equating the imaginary parts of the complex number gives y  7.

To divide two complex numbers we use the property that if we multiply the numerator
and denominator of a fraction by the same number, then the fraction remains
unchanged in size. The aim is to make the denominator real, and hence we multiply
numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. This process is called
realizing the denominator. This is very similar to rationalizing the denominator of a
fraction involving surds.

This idea also allows us to find the square root of a complex number.

Example
Find the values of 23  4i in the form a  ib.
Let 23  4i  a  ib
1 1 23  4i2 2  1a  ib 2 2

Example
2  3i
Write
in the form a  ib.
2i
12  3i2
12  i2
2  3i


2i
12  i2
12  i2
4  6i  2i  3i2
4  2i  2i  i2
4  8i  3

4  112
1  8i

5
1
8
  i
5
5


This can also be done in

a different way that will
be dealt with later in the
chapter.

1 3  4i  a2  2iab  i2b2

1 3  4i  a2  b2  2iab

We now use the idea of equal complex numbers and equate the real and
imaginary parts.
Equating real parts 1 a2  b2  3
Equating imaginary parts 1 2ab  4 1 ab  2
These equations can be solved simultaneously to find a and b.
2
If we substitute b  into a2  b2  3 we find
a

2 2
a2   3
a

1 a4  3a2  4  0

1 1a2  42 1a2  12  0

Ignoring the imaginary roots

Zero complex number

A complex number is only zero if both the real and imaginary parts are zero, i.e. 0  0i.

1 a  2 or a  2
1 b  1 or b  1

Equal complex numbers

Therefore 23  4i  2  i or 2  i

Complex numbers are only equal if both the real and imaginary parts are separately
equal. This allows us to solve equations involving complex numbers.

If we had used the imaginary values for a then

ai
1b

478

or

a  i

2
2
or b  
i
i

As with the square root

of a real number, there
are two answers and
one is the negative of
the other.
It is usually assumed
that a and b are real
numbers and we ignore
imaginary values for a
and b, but if we assume
they are imaginary the
same answers result.

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17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Complex roots of a polynomial equation

2i4
2i4
or b  
i
i
3
1 b  2i or b  2i3
1 b  2i or b  2i
1b

We know from Chapter 4 that solving any polynomial equation with real coefficients
always involves factoring out the roots. Hence if any polynomial has complex roots these
will always occur in conjugate pairs. For a polynomial equation it is possible that some of
the roots will be complex and some will be real. However, the number of complex roots
is always even. Hence a polynomial of degree five could have:

So 23  4i  i  i 12i2 or i  i 12i2

 i  2i or i  2i
 2  i or 2  i as before
2

five real roots;

three real roots and two complex roots; or
one real root and four complex roots.
Having two real roots and three complex roots is not possible.

Complex roots of a quadratic equation

To find the roots we need to use long division.

In Chapter 2 we referred to the fact that when a quadratic equation has the property
b2  4ac 6 0, then it has no real roots. We can now see that there are two complex

conjugate roots.

Example
Given that z  2  i is a solution to the equation z3  3z2  z  5  0, find

the other two roots.

Since one complex root is 2  i another complex root must be its conjugate.
Hence 2  i is a root.
Thus a quadratic factor of the equation is

Example
Solve the equation x2  2x  4  0.

Using the quadratic formula

x
1x

2 ; 24  16
2

3z  12  i2 4 3z  12  i2 4

1 z2  12  i2 z  12  i2 z  12  i2 12  i2

2 ; 212
2 ; 21212

2
2

1 z2  4z  14  2i  2i  i2 2

2 ; 2i23
1x
2
1 x  1  i23 or x  1  i23

The ; sign in the

formula ensures that the
complex roots of
quadratic equations are
always conjugate.

1 z2  4z  5

Using long division:

z1

1z  4z  52 z  3z  z 5
 z3  4z2  5z
2

z 2  4z 5
 z2  4z 5
0

Example

Form a quadratic equation which has a complex root of 2  i.

Since one complex root is 2  i the other root must be its complex conjugate.
Hence the other root is 2  i.
Thus the quadratic equation is

Hence z3  3z2  z  5  1z  12 1z2  4z  52  0

1 z  1, 2  i, 2  i

3x  12  i 2 4 3x  12  i2 4  0

1 x2  12  i2 x  12  i2 x  12  i2 12  i 2  0

1 x2  4x  14  2i  2i  i2 2  0

Many of the operations we have covered so far could be done on a calculator.

1 x2  4x  5  0

480

481

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Exercise 2

Example
Find 16  6i2  17  2i2 .

1 Add these pairs of complex numbers.

a 2  7i and 6  9i
b 5  12i and 13  16i
c 4  8i and 3  7i
d 8  7i and 6  14i
e 4  18i and 3  29i
2 Find u  v.
a u  5  8i and v  2  13i

16  6i2  17  2i2  13  4i

b u  16  7i and v  3  15i
c u  3  6i and v  17  4i
d u  5  4i and v  12  17i
3 Simplify these.

Find 25  12i.

a 13  2i2 12  5i2

b 15  3i2 110  i2

c i 12  7i2

g i 15  2i2 112  5i2

h 111  2i2

i 1x  iy2 2

d 19  5i2 115  4i2

Example

e 115  9i2 115  9i2

As with real numbers

the calculator only gives
one value for the square
root, unless the negative
square root is specified.
To find the second
square root, we find the
negative of the first.

j 1m  in2 3

f 1a  bi2 1a  bi2

k i 1m  2i2 3 13  i2

4 Realize the denominator of each of the following fractions and hence express
each in the form a  bi.
a

2
3i

4  12i
2i

2  5i
x  iy

25  12i  3  2i or 3  2i

5i
2  3i
x  iy
f
2x  iy
b

j ix

3  4i
5  2i

2i
2i

h i

5  4i
2  5i

3  4i

3i

3x  iy

y  ix

5 Express these in the form x  iy.

a 11  i2 4

b 11  2i2 3

c 13  4i2 5

d 11  3i2 8

6 Solve these equations for x and y.

Example
Express 15  4i2 7 in the form x  iy.

a x  iy  15  7i

b x  iy  8

c x  iy  3i

d x  iy  13  2i2 2

e x  iy  6i2  3i

g x  iy  12  5i2 2

h 1x  iy2 2  15i

j x  iy  6i2  3i  12  i2 2

3i  2
i4
2  7i
2
i x  iy 
3  4i

f x  iy 

k x  iy 

2i 2
 15i
3  2i

7 Find the real and imaginary parts of these.

a 16  5i2 12  3i2
15  4i2 7  4765  441 284i

g 13  2i2 5
j

482

3i
1

2i
7  4i

3  7i
8  11i
a
3

e
2  ib
4  ia
b

h cos

p
p 2
 i sin
3
3

3
5

2  5i
3  4i
x
x

f
x  iy
x  iy

3211  i232 4 4

3
x

1  iy
4  3xi

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17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

8 Find the square roots of these.

a 15  8i

b 1i

e 2  5i

iy

c 4  3i

2i
3i

3i
4  3i

2  5i

d 12  13i
h 2i 

3  2i
1i

2i

4i

i i

9 Solve these equations.

a x2  6x  10  0

b x2  x  1  0

x2  3x  15  0

d 3x2  6x  5  0
e 21x  42 1x  12  31x  72
10 Form an equation with these roots.
a 2  3i, 2  3i
b 3  i, 3  i
c 4  3i, 4  3i

As with a vector the complex number will usually have an arrow on it to signify the
direction and is often denoted by z.

d 1  2i, 1  2i, 1

e 3  2i, 3  2i, 2

f 5  2i, 5  2i, 3, 3

11 Find a quadratic equation with the given root.

a 2  7i

b 4  3i

c 7  6i

On an Argand diagram the complex number 2  9i can be represented by the vector

OA where A has coordinates (2, 9). However, since it is the line that represents the

complex number, the vectors BC and DE also represent the complex number 2  9i.

d a  ib

12 Find a quartic equation given that two of its roots are 2  i and 3  2i.

13 Given that z  1  i is a root of the equation z3  5z2  8z  6  0,

B
O

14 Find, in the form a  ib, all the solutions of these equations.

1
in the form a  ib, where a and
z

b are real numbers.

16 Given that the complex number z and its conjugate z* satisfy the equation
zz*  iz  66  8i, find the possible values of z.
39
17 If z  12  5i, express 2z 
in its simplest form.
z
18 Let z1 and z2 be complex numbers. Solve the simultaneous equations

z1  2z2  4
2z1  iz2  3  i
Give your answer in the form x  iy where x, y H .
2
, find z in the form x  iy where x, y H .
19 If z  1 
1  i23
20 Consider the equation 41p  iq2  2q  3ip  312  3i2 where p and q
are real numbers. Find the values of p and q.
3
 4  3i, find z in the form x  iy where x, y H .
21 If 2z 
1  2i

This is similar to the idea of position vectors and tied vectors introduced in Chapter 12.

Example
m
n
, where m and n are real
and z2 
1i
3  4i
numbers, have the property z1  z2  2.
The complex numbers z1 

We now need a way of representing complex numbers in two-dimensional space and

this is done on an Argand diagram, named after the mathematician Jean-Robert
Argand. It looks like a standard two-dimensional Cartesian plane, except that real
numbers are represented on the x-axis and imaginary numbers on the y-axis.
2
Hence on an Argand diagram the complex number 2  5i is represented as the vector .
5

a Find the values of m and n.

b Using these values of m and n, find the distance between the points which
represent z1 and z2 in the Argand diagram.

17.3 Argand diagrams

b z3  6z  20

15 Given that z  2  7i, express 2z 

2  9i

z  2  9i

2  9i

find the other two roots.

a z3  z2  z  15

iy

m
n

2
1i
3  4i

n 13  4i2
m 11  i2

2
11  i2 11  i2
13  4i2 13  4i 2
m 11  i2
n 13  4i2
1

2
2
7

m
3n
m
4n

 i 
2
2
7
2
7

Equating real parts:

3n
m

2
2
7
1 7m  6n  28

equation (i)

For this reason it is known as the Cartesian form of a complex number.

484

485

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Example

Equating imaginary parts:

Show 15  3i2  12  5i2 and 15  3i2  12  5i2 on an Argand diagram.

m
4n

0
2
7

Let z1  5  3i and z2  2  5i and represent them on the diagram by the

1 7m  8n  0

equation (ii)

vectors OA and OB respectively. Let C be the point which makes OABC a

Subtracting equation (ii) from equation (i): 14n  28 1 n  2

parallelogram.

16
Substituting in equation (i): m 
7

iy

m 11  i2
811  i2
n 13  4i2
213  4i2
and z2 


2
7
7
7
These are shown on the Argand diagram.
b From part a z1 

z1  5  3i

z1  z2  3  8i

O
iy

88i
7 7

x
C

z2  2  5i

z1

z1  z2  7  2i
B

x
z2

7
5
2
3
and BA   
2
3
5
8

From the diagram it is clear that OC 

68i
7 7

and these two diagonals represent z1  z2 and z1  z2 respectively. This is

Hence the distance between the points is

z1  z2  15  3i2  12  5i2  3  8i.

Multiplication by i on the Argand diagram

Addition and subtraction on the Argand diagram

This is similar to the parallelogram law for vectors which was explained in Chapter 12.

Consider the complex number z  x  iy.

Consider two complex numbers z1 and z2 represented by the vectors OA and OB .

confirmed by the fact that z1  z2  15  3i2  12  5i2  7  2i and

6
8 2
8
8 2
2260
    
.
D 7
7
7
7
7

Hence
iz  ix  i2y

iy

1 iz  y  ix

These are shown on the Argand diagram.

z1
z1  z1
O

z1  z1

iy

z2
A

B
B

z  x  iy
y

iz  y  ix
x

If AC is drawn parallel to OB, then AC also represents z2. We know from vectors that

OA  AC  OC .

Hence z1  z2 is represented by the diagonal OC .

Similarly OB  BA  OA

we multiply a complex number by i, the effect on the Argand diagram is to rotate the

1 BA  OA  OB

Hence z1  z2 is represented by the diagonal BA .

486

y
x
and the gradient of OB is  . Since
x
y
the product of gradients is 1, these two lines are perpendicular. Hence if
Considering this diagram the gradient of OA is

vector representing it by 90 anticlockwise.

487

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Example

Example

If z  3  4i, draw z and iz on an Argand diagram and state iz in the form

a  ib.

Express the complex number 2,

x  r cos u
p
1 x  2 cos  23
6
y  r sin u
p
1 y  2 sin  1
6

iy

z  3  4i

iz  4  3i
O

iz  3i  4i

p
in Cartesian form.
6

Hence in Cartesian form the complex number is 23  i.

If we are asked to express a complex number given in Cartesian form in modulusargument form, then we proceed as follows.

If x  r cos u and y  r sin u

 4  3i

Then
x2  y2  r2 cos2 u  r2 sin2 u

Notation for complex numbers

 r 1cos u  sin2 u2
2

So far we have only seen the representation of a complex number in Cartesian form,
that is x  iy. However, there are two other forms which are very important.

cos2 u  sin2 u  1 1 r  2x2  y2

Polar coordinate form

The modulus of a complex number is assumed positive and hence we can ignore the
negative square root.

This is more commonly called the modulus-argument form or the mod-arg form. It
defines the complex number by a distance r from a given point and an angle u radians
from a given line. Consider the diagram below.

Also

iy

y
r sin u

x
r cos u
y
1 tan u 
x
y
1 u  arctan
x

r sin 

Example

O

r cos 

Express 3  4i in polar form.

r  2x2  y2

OP represents the complex number x  iy. OP has magnitude r and is inclined at an

angle of u radians.
From the diagram x  r cos u and y  r sin u.

1 r  23  42  225  5
2

y
1 u  arctan
x
4
1 u  arctan
3

Thus
x  iy  r 1cos u  i sin u2.

1 u  0.927 p
Hence in polar form the complex number is 51cos 0.927  i sin 0.9272.

This is the modulus-argument form of a complex number where the modulus is r and
the angle, known as the argument, is u. It is usual to give u in radians. We sometimes
express this as 1r, u2.
If we are asked to express a complex number given in modulus-argument form in
Cartesian form, then we use the fact that x  r cos u and y  r sin u.

488

This leads us on to the problem of which quadrant the complex number lies in. From the
y
work done in Chapter 1 we know that u  arctan has infinite solutions. To resolve
x
this problem, when calculating the argument in questions like this, it is essential to draw

489

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

a sketch. Also, by convention, the argument always lies in the range p 6 x p. This
is slightly different to the method used in Chapter 1 for finding angles in a given range.
We will demonstrate this in the example below.

1 u  arctan

12

1 u  1.17 p
However, this is clearly in the wrong quadrant and hence to find the required
angle we need to add p to this giving u  1.96 p

Example

Hence in modulus-argument form the complex number is

13 3cos11.972  i sin11.972 4.

Express the following in modulus-argument form.

a 12  5i

c
iy

b 12  5i

12

c 12  5i
In all cases the modulus is the same since the negative signs do not have an effect.
r  2x  y
2

12  5i
5

1 r  212  5  2169  13
2

In terms of the argument we will examine each case in turn.

a

From the diagram it is clear that the complex number lies in the third quadrant
and hence the argument must be a negative obtuse angle.

iy

y
u  arctan
x

12
O

1 u  arctan

12  5i

1 u  1.17 p

5

However, this is clearly in the wrong quadrant and hence to find the required
angle we need to subtract p from this giving u  1.96 p

From the diagram it is clear that the complex number lies in the fourth quadrant
and hence the argument must be a negative acute angle.

Hence in modulus-argument form the complex number is

13 3cos11.972  i sin11.972 4.

y
u  arctan
x
1 u  arctan

12

5
This comes directly
from a calculator.

1 u  1.17 p
Hence in modulus-argument form the complex number is
133cos11.182  i sin11.182 4.
b
iy

Example

To do this we begin by expressing the complex number in Cartesian form, by

realizing the denominator.

12  5i




12

From the diagram it is clear that the complex number lies in the second
quadrant and hence the argument must be a positive obtuse angle.

490

3
in polar form.
1  2i

Express

311  2i2
3

1  2i
11  2i2 11  2i2

y
u  arctan
x

12

5

3  6i
5

Hence r cos u 

3
6
and r sin u  
5
5

3 2
6 2
1 r2   
5
5

1r

9
 1.34 p
B5

491

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers
iy
O 

6
5

z
 iu
r
z
1  eiu 1 z  reiu
r

1 ln

3
5
x

Example

3 6i
55

Express 2  5i in exponential form.

r cos u  2 and r sin u  5

From the diagram the complex number lies in the fourth quadrant and hence
the argument is a negative acute angle.

1 r2  122 2  152 2

6
5
r sin u

r cos u
3
5
1 tan u  2
1 u  1.10 p
Hence

1 r  229

iy
2  5i

3
 1.343cos11.112  i sin11.112 4.
1  2i

r sin u
5

r cos u
2

number in this form is expressed as reiu where r is the modulus and u is the argument.

1 tan u  2.5
From the calculator u  1.19 p However, this is clearly in the wrong quadrant
and hence to find the required angle we need to add p to this giving
u  1.95 p

A calculator will also

give complex numbers
in exponential form if
required.

1 2  5i  229e1.95i

We will now show that polar form and exponential form are equivalent.
Let z  r 1cos u  i sin u2

dz
 r 1sin u  i cos u2
du
dz
1
 ir 1cos u  i sin u2
du
dz
1
 iz
du
1

We now treat this as a variables separable differential equation.

1
1

1 dz
i
z du

1 dz
du 
z du

 i du

Products and quotients in polar form

If z1  a 1cos a  i sin a2 and z2  b 1cos b  i sin b2

1 z1z2  ab 1cos a cos b  i sin a cos b  i cos a sin b  i2 sin a sin b2

When u  0, z  r 1 ln r  ln c
1 ln z  ln r  iu

492

1 z1z2  ab3 1cos a cos b  sin a sin b2  i 1sin a cos b  cos a sin b2 4

Remembering the compound angle formulae from Chapter 7

1 z1z2  ab3cos1a  b2  i sin1a  b2 4

Hence if we multiply two complex numbers in polar form, then we multiply the moduli
and add the arguments.
z1z2  z1  z2 and arg1z1z2 2  arg z1  arg z2

 z dz   i du
1 ln z  iu  ln c

Then z1z2  ab 1cos a  i sin a2 1cos b  i sin b2

From the diagram above the complex number lies in the second quadrant and
hence the argument is a positive obtuse angle.

This is similar to the mod-arg form and is sometimes called the Euler form. A complex

To express Cartesian form in exponential form or vice versa, we proceed in exactly the
same way as changing between polar form and Cartesian form.

2

Exponential form

4p
4p
4p
 i sin becomes 5ei 3 in exponential form.
Hence 5cos
3
3

Similarly

z1
a
 3cos1a  b2  i sin1a  b2 4.
z2
b

The standard notation

for the modulus of a
complex number z is z
and the standard
notation for the
argument of a complex
number z is arg (z).

493

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Hence if we divide two complex numbers in polar form, then we divide the moduli and
subtract the arguments.
z1
z1
z1
2
and arg  arg z1  arg z2
z2
z2
z2

The diagram shows the complex number lies in the fourth quadrant and
hence the argument is a negative acute angle.
r sin u
1

r cos u
3

1 tan u  

Example

1
1 u  arctan
3

Let z1  2  i and z2  3  i.
a Find the product z1z2 in the form x  iy.
b Find z1, z2 and z1z2 in exponential form.

1 z2  210ei1arctan13 22
1

For z1z2, r cos u  5 and r sin u  5

p
1
1
 arctan  arctan .
4
2
3
z1z2  12  i2 13  i 2

c Hence show that 

a

1
3

1 r2  152 2  152 2

1 r  522

 6  2i  3i  i2

iy

 5  5i
O

b For z1, r cos u  2 and r sin u  1

1 r2  122 2  112 2

1 r  25

5

5  5i

iy

1

The diagram shows the complex number lies in the fourth quadrant and
hence the argument is a negative acute angle.
r sin u
5

r cos u
5

2i

The diagram shows the complex number lies in the fourth quadrant and
hence the argument is a negative acute angle.

1 tan u  1
p
1u
4
i 1p4 2

1 z1z2  522e

r sin u
1

r cos u
2
1
1 tan u  
2

c Since arg1z1z2 2  arg z1  arg z2

1
1 u  arctan
2

p
1
1
 arctan  arctan
4
2
3

1 z1  25ei1arctan12 22
1

For z2, r cos u  3 and r sin u  1

Exercise 3

1 r  132  112
2

1 If z1  1  2i, z2  2  4i, z3  4  3i and z4  5  i, using the

parallelogram law, represent these lines on an Argand diagram, showing
the direction of each line by an arrow.
a z1  z3
b z2  z3
c z1  z4
d z4  z1
e z3  z4

1 r  210

iy

O
1

494

2 Express these complex numbers in the form r 1cos u  i sin u 2.

x
3i

a 1  i23

b 2  2i

c 5  i

d 4  5i

3 Express these complex numbers in the form reiu.

a 4  4i
b 3  4i
c 2  7i
d 1  9i

e 10

f 6i

e 8

f 2i

495

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

4 Express these in the form a  ib.

15

p
p
 i sin
3
3

a 2cos

b 25cos

p
p
c 10cos  i sin
4
4
3p

z

p
p
 i sin
12
12

g 15ei 6

2p

f 25ei 3

e 3ei 4

5p
5p
 i sin
6
6

215cos

a Find the modulus and argument of the complex number

3p

5 If m  5  7i and n  2  i, find the modulus and argument of:

a 2m  n

b 3m  5n

c 2mn

4m
n

b z2  2z  5  0

c z2  4z  7  0

We showed earlier that z  reiu.

7 a Express these complex numbers in exponential form.

i z1  5  12i
ii z2  3  4i

z3
z1
vi
vii 2
viii 3z 3 z 4
z4
z4
8 a If z1  3  5i and z2  2  3i, draw z1 and z2 on an Argand diagram.

An alternative proof of
de Moivres theorem,
using the method of
proof by induction, will
be shown in Chapter 18.

This is de Moivres theorem.

9 a If z1  2  i23 and z2  1  i, express z1 and z2 in polar form.

z1
b Hence find the modulus and argument of z1z2 and .
z2
3i
2i ,
10 If z1 
and z2 
express z1 and z2 in the form x  iy.
2  7i
3  2i
Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points P representing the complex
number 106z1  39z2 and Q representing the complex number

If z  r 1cos u  i sin u 2 then zn  rn 1cos u  i sin u 2 n  rn 1cos nu  i sin nu2.

b If z3  iz1 and z4  iz2, draw z3 and z4 on an Argand diagram.

c Write down the transformation which maps the line segment z1z2 onto
the line segment z3z4.

This is more often stated in polar form.

z3
v
z2

1 zn  rneinu

iii z3  24  7i
iv z4  1  i23
b Hence find the modulus and argument of:
z2
i z1z2
ii z3z1
iii z4z1
iv
z4

zn  1reiu 2 n

Hence

17.4 de Moivres theorem

6 Find the modulus and argument of each root of these equations.

a z2  3z  7  0

11  i2 2

p
3p
b Shade the region in the Argand plane such that
6 arg
6
and
2
4
1
6 
 6 3 for any complex number
.
2
c Determine if z lies in this region.

219ei 8

1 22  i2 11  i222

Example

p
p 15
Write cos  i sin in the form cos nu  i sin nu.
3
3

Using de Moivres theorem

cos

106z1  39z2.

Remember: The
argument of a complex
number lies in the
range p 6 u p.

p
p 15
15p
15p
 i sin  cos
 i sin
3
3
3
3

 cos 5p  i sin 5p
 cos p  i sin p

11 a Show that z3  1  1z  12 1z2  z  12.

b Hence find the roots to the equation z3  1 in the form x  iy.

c Let the two complex roots be denoted by z1 and z2. Verify that z1  z22

and z2 
12 a The two complex numbers z1 and z2 are represented on an Argand
diagram. Show that z1  z2 z1  z2.

z21.

b If z1  3 and z2  12  5i, find:

i the greatest possible value of z1  z2
ii the least possible value of z1  z2.

Write B2cos

13 If z  cos u  i sin u where u is real, show that

1
1
u
  i cot .
1z
2
2

14 a Find the solutions to the equation 3z2  4z  3  0 in modulus

argument form.
b On the Argand diagram, the roots of this equation are represented by the
points P and Q. Find the angle POQ.

496

Example

B2cos

p
p 8
 i sin R in the form r 1cos nu  i sin nu2.
3
3

p
p 8
p
p 8
 i sin R  28cos  i sin
3
3
3
3
 256cos

8p
8p
 i sin
3
3

 256cos

2p
2p
 i sin
3
3

497

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Example
Write cos

Example

u
u
 i sin in the form 1cos u  i sin u2 n.
5
5

3t  t3
where t  tan u and
1  3t2
use the equation to solve t3  3t2  3t  1  0.
Using de Moivres theorem, show that tan 3u 

We know that cos1u2  cos u and sin1u2  sin u

Since we want tan 3u we need expressions for sin 3u and cos 3u.
From de Moivres theorem we know that

Hence
cos

u
u
u
u
 i sin  cos  i sin
5
5
5
5

1cos u  i sin u 2 3  cos 3u  i sin 3u

Using Pascals triangle we find

 1cos u  i sin u2 5

cos 3u i sin 3ucos3u31cos2 u2 1i sin u2 31cos u2 1i sin u2 2  1i sin u2 3

 cos3 u  3i cos2 u sin u  3 cos u sin2 u  i sin3 u

By equating real parts we find cos 3u  cos3 u  3 cos u sin2 u.

Example

And by equating imaginary parts we find sin 3u  3 cos2 u sin u  sin3 u.

14 cos 4u  4i sin 4u2 1cos 2u  i sin 2u2

Simplify
.
1cos 3u  i sin 3u2

sin 3u
3 cos2 u sin u  sin3 u

cos 3u
cos3 u  3 cos u sin2 u
sin u
sin3 u
3

cos u
cos3 u
1 tan 3u 
3
cos u
sin2 u

3
cos3 u
cos2 u
3t  t3
1 tan 3u 
1  3t2
If we now let tan 3u  1

Since i2  1 and
i3  i

Hence tan 3u 

Since de Moivres theorem is used on expressions of the form

r 1cos nu  i sin nu2 we need to put all expressions in this form:

14 cos 4u  4i sin 4u2 1cos12u2  i sin12u2 2

1cos 3u  i sin 3u2

Dividing numerator and

denominator by cos3 u

Letting t  tan u

We now apply de Moivres theorem:

41cos u  i sin u2 4 1cos u  i sin u2 2

3t  t3
1
1  3t2
1 t3  3t2  3t  1  0
Hence this equation can be solved using tan 3u  1
3p p 5p
1 3u   , ,
4 4 4
p p 5p
1u , ,
4 12 12

1cos u  i sin u2 3

 41cos u  i sin u2 1

 41cos1u 2  i sin1u2 2
Since cos1u2  cos u and sin1u2  sin u
 41cos u  i sin u2

p
5p
p
Hence the solutions to the equation are tan , tan , tan
4
12
12

Example
Use de Moivres theorem to derive expressions for cos 4u and sin 4u in terms
of cos u and sin u.

Example

From de Moivres theorem we know that

1cos u  i sin u 2 4  cos 4u  i sin 4u

If z cos ui sin u, using de Moivres theorem, show that

Using Pascals triangle or the binomial theorem, we find

cos 4u  i sin 4u  cos u  41cos u2 1i sin u2  61cos u2 1i sin u2
4

1
 cos u  i sin u.
z

1
 z1  1cos u  i sin u 2 1
z
 cos1u2  i sin1u 2
Since cos1u2  cos u and sin1u 2  sin u
1
 cos u  i sin u
z

 4 cos u1i sin u2 3  1i sin u2 4

 cos4 u  4i cos3 u sin u  6 cos2 u sin2 u  4i cos u sin3 u  sin4 u

By equating real parts we find cos 4u  cos4 u  6 cos2 u sin2 u  sin4 u.

Since i2  1, i3  i
and i4  1.

And by equating imaginary parts we find sin 4u  4 cos3 u sin u  4 cos u sin3 u.
This now leads to four useful results.
This is an alternative way of finding multiple angles of sin and cos in terms of powers of
sin and cos.

498

If z  cos u  i sin u and

1
 cos u  i sin u, by adding the two equations together
z

we find

499

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

z

1
 2 cos u
z

If we subtract the two equations we find

z

Important points to note

1. The roots are equally spaced around the Argand diagram. Thus for the square root
2p
they are p apart. Generally for the nth root they are
apart.
n
2. All the roots have the same moduli.

1
 2 sin u
z

Example

This can be generalized for any power of z.

If z  cos u  i sin u, then zn  1cos u  i sin u2 n  cos nu  i sin nu

and zn  1cos u  i sin u2 n  cos1nu2  i sin1nu2  cos nu  i sin nu.

Once again by adding and subtracting the equations we find

Find the cube roots of 2  2i.

Step 1. Let 2  2i  r 1cos u  i sin u2
Equating real and imaginary parts
1 r cos u  2
1 r sin u  2

1 r  222  22  28

1
 2 cos nu
zn
1
and zn  n  2 sin nu
z
zn 

iy

2  2i

Example


O

1
sin 3u  3 sin u
.
Using the result zn  n  2 sin nu, show that sin3 u 
z
4
1
We know that z   2 sin u
z

1 3
Hence z   12 sin u2 3  8 sin3 u
z
3
1
1 8 sin3 u  z3  3z   3
z
z

 z3 

1
1
 3z 
3
z
z

The diagram shows the complex number lies in the first quadrant and hence the
argument is a positive acute angle.
2
r sin u

r cos u
2
1 tan u  1
p
1u
4

Hence 8 sin u  2 sin 3u  6 sin u

sin 3u  3 sin u
1 sin3 u 
4
3

1 2  2i  28cos

p
p
 i sin
4
4
1
3

p
p
Step 2. 12  2i2  8 bcos  2np  i sin  2npr
4
4
1
3

1
6

Roots of complex numbers

Earlier in the chapter we found the square root of a complex number. We can also do
this using de Moivres theorem, which is a much more powerful technique as it will allow
us to find any root.

Method
1. Write the complex number in polar form.
2. Add 2np to the argument then put it to the necessary power. This will allow us
to find multiple solutions.
3. Apply de Moivres theorem.
4. Work out the required number of roots, ensuring that the arguments lie in the
range p 6 u p. Remember the number of roots is the same as the
denominator of the power.

500

Step 3. 12  2i2 3  86 bcos

p
2np
p
2np

 i sin

r
12
3
12
3
Step 4. If we now let n  1, 0, 1 we will find the three solutions.
1

Hence 12  2i2 3  86 cos

1

7p
7p
 i sin ,
12
12

3p
3p
 i sin
4
4
These can be converted to the form x  iy.
1

86 cos

12  2i2 3  0.366  1.37i, 1.36  0.366i, 1  i

1

This calculation can also

be done directly on the
calculator.

501

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

We can also use the exponential form to evaluate roots of a complex number.

iy
1

2
3

Example

Find 11  i2 .

2
3

1
4

Step 1. Let 1  i  reiu

Equating real and imaginary parts
1 r cos u  1
1 r sin u  1

2
3

The fourth roots of unity will be:

1 r  212  112 2  22

iy

iy
i

1
1

1

1i

i

3. Since the roots of unity are equally spaced and all have modulus 1, if we call one

The diagram shows the complex number lies in the fourth quadrant and hence
the argument is a negative acute angle.
r sin u
1

r cos u
1
1 tan u  1
p
1u
4

complex root b, say, then for the cube roots of unity the other roots will be 1 and
b2. Similarly for the fifth roots, if one complex root is b, then the other roots will be

1, b2, b3 and b4.

Step 3. 11  i2 4  28ei116  2 2
1

b Hence factorise z3  1.
c If
is a complex root of this equation, simplify:

np

Step 4. Clearly, if we let n  1, 0, 1 we will find three solutions, but does
p
is negative, then using
n  2 or n  2 give the fourth solution? Since
16
n  2 takes the argument out of the range p 6 x p. Hence we use

i
3
ii 1 

2
iii
4

iv 1
 12 1
2 
2

n  2.
Thus 11  i2 4  28ei 16 , 28ei 16, 28ei 16 , 28ei 16
These can be converted to the form x  iy.
1

9p

a Simplify 1
 12 11 

2 2.

Step 2. 11  i2 4  1 22ei1 4 2np2 2 4

p

Example

1 1  i  22ei 4
1

7p

15p

11  i2  0.213  1.07i, 1.07  0.213i, 0.213  1.07i, 1.07  0.213i

1
4

Again, this calculation

can also be done directly
on the calculator.

1
 12 11 

2 2 

2 
3  1 

2

3  1

z3  1 1 z3  1  0

1 1z  12 11  z  z2 2  0

Roots of unity

i Since z 
,
3  1
ii Since z 
and from part b 1  z  z2  0, 1 

2  0

We can find the complex roots of 1 and these have certain properties.
1. Since the modulus of 1 is 1, then the modulus of all roots of 1 is 1.
2. We know that the roots are equally spaced around an Argand diagram. Since one
root of unity will always be 1, we can measure the arguments relative to the real
axis.
Hence the cube roots of unity on an Argand diagram will be:

502

iii
4 
3 

Since
3  1,
4  1 


iv 1
 12 1
2 
2 
3 
2 
2 

1

503

17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

Exercise 4
1 Use de Moivres theorem to express each of these complex numbers in the
form r 1cos nu  i sin nu2.

a 321cos u  i sin u2 4 10
d 1cos u  i sin u2 9
g cos

p
p 6
 i sin
3
3

b 1cos u  i sin u2 25

e 1cos u  i sin u2
h cos

1
2

p
p 9
 i sin
6
6

c 331cos u  i sin u2 4 5

f 341cos u  i sin u2 4 3
1

i cos

p
p 5
 i sin
4
4

p
p 2
j cos  i sin
5
5

2 Express each of these in the form r 1cos u  i sin u2 n.

5 Without first calculating them, illustrate the nth roots of unity on an Argand
diagram where n is:
a 3
b 6
c 8
d 9
6 a Express the complex number 16i in polar form.
b Find the fourth roots of 16i in both polar form and Cartesian form.
7 a Write 1  i23 in polar form.
b Hence find the real and imaginary parts of 11  i232 16.
8 Prove those trigonometric identities using methods based on de Moivres
theorem.
a sin 3u  3 cos2 u sin u  sin3 u
b tan 6u  2

3  10t2  3t4
where t  tan u
1  15t2  15t4  t6

a cos 7u  i sin 7u
c 6 cos13u2  6i sin13u2
e cos 2u  i sin 2u

1
1
b 4 cos u  4i sin u
2
2
1
1
d cos u  i sin u
4
4
1
1
f cos u  i sin u
8
8

3 Simplify these expressions.

a 1cos 3u  i sin 3u2 1cos 5u  i sin 5u2
1cos 8u  i sin 8u2
c
1cos 5u  i sin 5u2

z1 4
p
p
p
p
 i sin and z2  mcos  i sin . Express
z2
6
6
3
3

10 Let z1  mcos

in the form x  iy.

p
p
 i sin and z2  3  4i.
3
3
a Write z2 in modulus-argument form.

11 Let z1  rcos

12 Given that

is a complex cube root of unity,

3  1

and

1 

 0, simplify each of the expressions 11  3

2 and
2

f 1cos 4u  i sin 4u2 1cos 7u  i sin 7u2

1
1
1
1
g cos u  i sin ucos u  i sin u
3
3
2
2
p
p 5
p
p 2
cos  i sin cos  i sin
4
4
3
3
h
4
p
p
cos  i sin
6
6

11 
 3
2 2 and find the product and the sum of these two expressions.

13 By considering the ninth roots of unity, show that:

2p
4p
6p
8p
1
cos
 cos
 cos
 cos

9
9
9
9
2

1
14 a If z  cos u  i sin u, show that zn  n  2 cos nu and
z
1
zn  n  2 sin nu.
z
b Hence show that:

i cos4 u  sin4 u 

p
p 5
p
p 2
 i sin cos
 i sin
8
8
16
16
4
p
p
cos  i sin
8
8

p
p
cos  i sin
j
B
3
3
4 Use de Moivres theorem to find these roots.
a the square root of 5  12i
b the square root of 2  2i
4

c the cube roots of 1  i

d the cube root of 3  5i

e the fourth roots of 3  4i

f the fifth roots of 5  12i

g the sixth roots of 23  i

b Use your result to solve the equation t4  4t3  6t2  4t  1  0.

1cos 10u  i sin 10u2 1cos 2u  i sin 2u2

1cos u  i sin u2

b Find r if z1z22  4.

1cos 4u  i sin 4u2

1cos 5u  i sin 5u2

cos

1
1
b 1cos 2u  i sin 2u2cos u  i sin u
2
2

4t  4t3
9 a Use de Moivres theorem to show that tan 4u 
where
1  6t2  t4
t  tan u.

ii sin6 u 

1
1cos 4u  32
4

1
1cos 6u  6 cos 4u  15 cos 2u  102
32

15 Consider z7  128.
a Find the root to this equation in the form r 1cos u  i sin u 2 which has the
smallest positive argument. Call this root z1.

b Find z21, z31, z41, z51, z61, z71 in modulus-argument form.

c Plot the points that represent z21, z31, z41, z51, z61, z71 on an Argand diagram.

d The point

zn1

is mapped to

zn1
1

by a composition of two linear

transformations. Describe these transformations.

16 a Show that i satisfies the equation z3  i.

b Knowing that the three roots of the equation z3  i are equally spaced

around the Argand diagram and have equal modulii, write down the other

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17 Complex Numbers

17 Complex Numbers

two roots, z1 and z2, of the equation in modulus-argument form.

that 12  3i2a  3b  2  5i, find the values of a and b if

12 aGiven
a and b are real
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( z1 lies in the second quadrant.)

c Find the complex number

such that
z1  z2 and
z2  i.

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b a and b are conjugate complex numbers.

13 Let y  cos u  i sin u.

17 The complex number z is defined by z  cos u  i sin u.

1
a Show that  cos1u2  i sin1u2.
z
b Deduce that zn 

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dy
 iy.
du
[You may assume that for the purposes of differentiation and integration, i may
be treated in the same way as a real constant.]

a Show that

1
 2 cos nu.
zn

c Using the binomial theorem, expand 1z  z1 2 6.

b Hence show, using integration, that y  eiu.

c Use this result to deduce de Moivres theorem.
sin 6u
d i Given that
 a cos5 u  b cos3 u  c cos u, where sin u  0, use
sin u
de Moivres theorem with n  6 to find the values of the constants a, b and c.

d Hence show that cos6 u  a cos 6u  b cos 4u  c cos 2u  d giving

the values of a, b, c and d.

Review exercise

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5  7i
1 Find the modulus and argument of the complex number
.
1  2i

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2 Find the real number k for which 1  ki, 1i  212, is a zero of the
polynomial z2  kz  5.

[IB Nov 00 P1 Q10]

3 If z  1  2i is a root of the equation z  az  b, find the values of a

2

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sin 3u  3 sin u  4 sin3 u.

b Hence or otherwise, find 11  i2 64.

i
4  7i

for x and y, leaving your answers as
x  iy
5  3i
rational numbers.
[IB May 94 P1 Q15]
7 Find a cubic equation with real coefficients, given that two of its roots are 3
and 1  i23.
1
8 If z  x  iy, find the real part and the imaginary part of z  .
z

b Hence prove that

6 Solve the equation

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9 Given that z  1b  i2 2, where b is real and positive, find the exact value
of b when arg z  60.

[IB May 01 P1 Q14]

10 a If z  1  i23 , find the modulus and argument of z.

b Hence find the modulus and argument of z2.
c i On an Argand diagram, point A represents the complex number 0 + i,
B represents the complex number z and C the complex number z2.
Draw these on an Argand diagram.
ii Calculate the area of triangle OBC where O is the origin.
iii Calculate the area of triangle ABC.
11 a Verify that 1z  12 11  z  z2 2  z3  1.
b Hence or otherwise, find the cube roots of unity in the form a  ib.
c Find the cube roots of unity in polar form and draw them on an Argand
diagram.
d These three roots form the vertices of a triangle. State the length of each
side of the triangle and find the area of the triangle.

C
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a i Find z3 using the binomial theorem.

ii Use de Moivres theorem to show that cos 3u  4 cos3 u  3 cos u and

and b.
4 If z is a complex number and z  16  4z  1, find the value of z.
[IB Nov 00 P1 Q18]
5 a Show that 11  i2 4  4.

sin 3u  sin u
 tan u.
cos 3u  cos u

1
c Given that sin u  , find the exact value of tan 3u.
[IB May 06 P2 Q2]
3
p
p 2
p
p 3
cos  i sin cos  i sin
4
4
3
3
.
16 Consider the complex number z 
4
p
p
cos
 i sin
24
24
a i Find the modulus of z.
ii Find the argument of z, giving your answer in radians.
3
b Using de Moivres theorem, show that z is a cube root of one, i.e. z  21.

c Simplify 11  2z2 12  z2 2, expressing your answer in the form a  bi, where a

sin 6u
.
[IB Nov 06 P2 Q5]
sin u
14 Given that z and
are complex numbers, solve the simultaneous equations
z 
 11
iz  5
 29
expressing your solution in the form a  bi where a and b are real. [IB Nov 89 P1 Q20]
p
p
15 Let z  cos u  i sin u for  6 u 6 .
4
4
ii Hence deduce the value of lim

and b are exact real numbers.

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[IB Nov 02 P2 Q2]

p
17 In this Argand diagram, a circle has centre the origin and radius 5, u 
and the
3
line which is parallel to the imaginary axis has equation x  2. The complex
number z corresponds to a point inside, or on, the boundary of the shaded region.
Write down inequalities which z, Arg z and Re z must satisfy. (Re z means the real
part of z.)
iy
(0, 5)


(5, 0)

x  2

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(5, 0)
x

(0, 5)

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17 Complex Numbers

18 Let z  3 z ik and
 k  7i where k H  and i  21.
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a Express

in the form a  ib where a, b H .

b For what values of k is

z
a real number?

Find all three solutions of the equation z

19 a number.
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 1 where z is a complex

b If z 
is the solution of the equation z3  1 which has the smallest

positive root, show that 1 


 0.
2

1
c Find the matrix product 1
1

1 1

21

giving your answer

in its simplest form (that is, not in terms of

).
d Solve the system of simultaneous equations
xyz3
x 
y 
2z  3
x 
2y 
z  3
giving your answer in numerical form (that is, not
in terms of
).

20
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z1 and z2 are complex numbers on the Argand diagram relative to the

p
origin. If z1  z2  z1  z2, show that arg z1 and arg z2 differ by .
2
21 a Find the two square roots of 3  4i in the form x  iy where x and y
are real.
b Draw these on the Argand diagram, labelling the points A and B.

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[IB Nov 98 P2 Q4]

c Find the two possible points C1 and C2 such that triangles ABC1 and
ABC2 are equilateral.

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