78 problems found
Let \(\omega = \e^{2\pi {\rm i}/n}\), where \(n\) is a positive integer. Show that, for any complex number \(z\), \[ (z-1)(z-\omega) \cdots (z - \omega^{n-1}) = z^n -1\,. \] The points \(X_0, X_1, \ldots\, X_{n-1}\) lie on a circle with centre \(O\) and radius 1, and are the vertices of a regular polygon.
Solution: Notice that \(\omega^n = e^{2\pi i} = 1\), so \(\omega\) is a root of \(z^n - 1\), notice also that \((\omega^k)^n =1\) so therefore the \(n\) roots are \(1, \omega, \omega^2, \cdots, \omega^{n-1}\) and so \((z-1)(z-\omega) \cdots (z-\omega^{n-1}) = C(z^n-1)\). By considering the coefficient of \(z^n\) we can see that \(C = 1\).
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Solution:
A quadrilateral drawn in the complex plane has vertices \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(D\), labelled anticlockwise. These vertices are represented, respectively, by the complex numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\). Show that \(ABCD\) is a parallelogram (defined as a quadrilateral in which opposite sides are parallel and equal in length) if and only if \(a+c =b+d\,\). Show further that, in this case, \(ABCD\) is a square if and only if \({\rm i}(a-c)=b-d\). Let \(PQRS\) be a quadrilateral in the complex plane, with vertices labelled anticlockwise, the internal angles of which are all less than \(180^\circ\). Squares with centres \(X\), \(Y\), \(Z\) and \(T\) are constructed externally to the quadrilateral on the sides \(PQ\), \(QR\), \(RS\) and \(SP\), respectively.
Solution: The vector representing the side \(AB\) is \(b - a\) and the vector representing the side \(DC\) is \(c - d\). \(ABCD\) is a parallelogram if and only if these opposite sides are parallel and equal in length, which is given by \(b - a = c - d\), or equivalently \(a + c = b + d\). Similarly, if \(a + c = b + d\), then \(c - b = d - a\), so the side \(BC\) is parallel and equal in length to the side \(AD\). Thus, \(a + c = b + d\) is the necessary and sufficient condition for \(ABCD\) to be a parallelogram. In a parallelogram, the shape is a square if and only if the diagonals are equal in length and perpendicular to each other. The diagonals are represented by the vectors \(c - a\) and \(d - b\). For these to be equal in length and perpendicular, one must be a \(90^\circ\) rotation of the other. Since \(A, B, C, D\) are labeled anticlockwise, a \(90^\circ\) anticlockwise rotation of the vector \(\vec{AC}\) (which is \(c-a\)) would point in the direction of \(\vec{DB}\) (which is \(b-d\) if we consider the relative orientation). Specifically: \(i(c - a) = d - b \implies -i(a - c) = d - b \implies i(a - c) = b - d\). Thus, \(ABCD\) is a square if and only if \(i(a - c) = b - d\).
Show that \((z-\e^{i\theta})(z-\e^{-i\theta})=z^2 -2z\cos\theta +1\,\). Write down the \((2n)\)th roots of \(-1\) in the form \(\e^{i\theta}\), where \(-\pi <\theta \le \pi\), and deduce that \[ z^{2n} +1 = \prod_{k=1}^n \left(z^2-2z \cos\left( \tfrac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) +1\right) \,. \] Here, \(n\) is a positive integer, and the \(\prod\) notation denotes the product.
Solution: \begin{align*} && (z-e^{i \theta})(z-e^{-i\theta}) &= z^2 - (e^{i\theta}+e^{-i\theta})z + 1 \\ &&&= z^2-2\cos \theta z + 1 \end{align*} The \(2n\)th roots of \(-1\) are \(e^{\frac{i (2k+1)\pi}{2n}}, k \in \{-n, \cdots, n-1 \}\) or \(e^{\frac{i k \pi}{2n}}, k \in \{-2n+1, -2n+3, \cdots, 2n-3, 2n-1 \}\) \begin{align*} && z^{2n}+1 &= (z-e^{-i(2n-1)/2n})\cdot (z-e^{-i(2n-3)/2n})\cdots (z-e^{i(2n-3)/2n})\cdot (z-e^{i(2n-1)/2n}) \\ &&&= \prod_{k=1}^n \left (z - e^{i \frac{2k-1}{2n}\pi} \right)\left (z - e^{-i \frac{2k-1}{2n}\pi} \right)\\ &&&= \prod_{k=1}^n \left (z^2 - 2z \cos \left ( \frac{(2k-1)\pi}{2n}\right) + 1 \right) \end{align*}
Let \(z\) and \(w\) be complex numbers. Use a diagram to show that \(\vert z-w \vert \le \vert z\vert + \vert w \vert\,.\) For any complex numbers \(z\) and \(w\), \(E\) is defined by \[ E = zw^* + z^*w +2 \vert zw \vert\,. \]
Solution:
Evaluate \(\displaystyle \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} \e^{2i(\alpha + r\pi/n)}\) where \(\alpha\) is a fixed angle and \(n\ge2\). The fixed point \(O\) is a distance \(d\) from a fixed line \(D\). For any point \(P\), let \(s\) be the distance from \(P\) to \(D\) and let \(r\) be the distance from \(P\) to \(O\). Write down an expression for \(s\) in terms of \(d\), \(r\) and the angle \(\theta\), where \(\theta\) is as shown in the diagram below.
Solution: \begin{align*} \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} \e^{2i(\alpha + r\pi/n)} &= e^{2i\alpha} \sum_{r=0}^{n-1} \left (\e^{2i\pi/n} \right)^r \\ &= e^{2i\alpha} \frac{1-\left (\e^{2i\pi/n} \right)^n}{1-\e^{2i\pi/n} } \\ &= 0 \end{align*} \(d = s + r \cos \theta\) ie \(s = d - r \cos \theta\) Therefore \(d = \frac{r}{k} + r \cos \theta \Rightarrow r = \frac{kd}{1+k \cos \theta}\). The \(l_j\) will come from \(r(\alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n} )+r(\alpha + \pi + \frac{j \pi}{n} )\) \begin{align*} && l_j &= r(\alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n} )+r(\alpha + \pi + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n} ) \\ &&&= \frac{kd}{1+k \cos \left ( \alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}+\frac{kd}{1+k \cos \left ( \alpha+\pi+ \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}\\ &&&= \frac{kd}{1+k \cos \left ( \alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}+\frac{kd}{1-k \cos \left ( \alpha+ \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}\\ &&&= \frac{2kd}{1-k^2 \cos^2 \left ( \alpha + \frac{(j-1) \pi}{n}\right)}\\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{j=1}^n \frac 1 {l_j} &= \sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \frac{1-k^2 \cos^2 \left ( \alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n}\right)}{2kd} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{2kd} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \cos^2 \left ( \alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{2kd} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1} \frac{1+ \cos \left ( 2\alpha + \frac{2j \pi}{n}\right)}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{nk^2}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{4kd} \sum_{j=0}^{n-1}\cos \left ( 2\alpha + \frac{2j \pi}{n}\right) \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd}-\frac{nk^2}{2kd}-\frac{k^2}{4kd} \underbrace{\textrm{Re} \left ( \sum_{j=0}^{n-1}e^{ 2i(\alpha + \frac{j \pi}{n})} \right)}_{=0} \\ &&&= \frac{n}{2kd} - \frac{nk^2}{4kd} \\ &&&= \frac{n(2-k^2)}{4kd} \end{align*}
Let \(x+{\rm i} y\) be a root of the quadratic equation \(z^2 + pz +1=0\), where \(p\) is a real number. Show that \(x^2-y^2 +px+1=0\) and \((2x+p)y=0\). Show further that either \(p=-2x\) or \(p=-(x^2+1)/x\) with \(x\ne0\). Hence show that the set of points in the Argand diagram that can (as \(p\) varies) represent roots of the quadratic equation consists of the real axis with one point missing and a circle. This set of points is called the root locus of the quadratic equation. Obtain and sketch in the Argand diagram the root locus of the equation \[ pz^2 +z+1=0\, \] and the root locus of the equation \[ pz^2 + p^2z +2=0\,.\]
Solution: \begin{align*} && 0 &= z^2 + pz + 1\\ &&&= (x+iy)^2 + (x+iy)p + 1 \\ &&& = (x^2-y^2+px+1) + (2xy+py)i \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= x^2 - y^2 + px + 1 \\ && 0 &= (2x+p)y \\ \Rightarrow && p &= -2x \\ \text{ or } && y &= 0 \\ \Rightarrow && p &= -(x^2+1)/x \end{align*} Therefore as \(p\) varies with either have \(y = 0\) and \(x\) taking any real value except \(0\) ie the real axis minus the origin. Or \(p = -2x\) and \(-y^2-x^2+1 = 0 \Rightarrow x^2 + y^2 = 1\) which is a circle. Suppose \(pz^2 + z + 1 = 0\) \begin{align*} && 0 &= pz^2 + z +1\\ &&&= p(x+iy)^2 + (x+iy) + 1\\ &&&= (px^2-py^2+x+1) + (2xyp + y) i \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= (2xp+1)y \\ \Rightarrow && y & = 0, p = \frac{-(x+1)}{x^2}, x \neq 0 \\ \text{ or } && p &= -\frac{1}{2x}\\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= -\frac{1}{2}x + \frac{y^2}{2x} + x + 1 \\ &&&= \frac{y^2 - x^2 +2x^2 + 2x}{2x} \\ &&&= \frac{(x+1)^2+y^2-1}{2x} \end{align*} So we either have the real axis (except \(0\)) or a circle radius \(1\) centre \((-1, 0)\) (excluding \(x = 0\)).
Show that, provided \(q^2\ne 4p^3\), the polynomial \[ \hphantom{(p\ne0, \ q\ne0)\hspace{2cm}} x^3-3px +q \hspace {2cm} (p\ne0, \ q\ne0) \] can be written in the form \[ a(x-\alpha)^3 + b(x-\beta)^3\,, \] where \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are the roots of the quadratic equation \(pt^2 -qt +p^2=0\), and \(a\) and \(b\) are constants which you should express in terms of \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\). Hence show that one solution of the equation \(x^3-24x+48=0\,\) is \[ x= \frac{2 (2-2^{\frac13})}{1-2^{\frac13}} \] and obtain similar expressions for the other two solutions in terms of \(\omega\), where \(\omega = \mathrm{e}^{2\pi\mathrm{i}/3}\,\). Find also the roots of \(x^3-3px +q=0\) when \(p=r^2\) and \(q= 2r^3\) for some non-zero constant \(r\).
The complex numbers \(z\) and \(w\) are related by \[ w= \frac{1+\mathrm{i}z}{\mathrm{i}+z}\,. \] Let \(z=x+\mathrm{i}y\) and \(w=u+\mathrm{i}v\), where \(x\), \(y\), \(u\) and \(v\) are real. Express \(u\) and \(v\) in terms of \(x\) and \(y\).
Solution: \begin{align*} w &= \frac{1+iz}{i+z} \\ &= \frac{1-y+ix}{x+i(1+y)} \\ &= \frac{((1-y)+ix)(x-i(1+y))}{x^2+(1+y)^2} \\ &= \frac{x(1-y)+x(1+y)}{x^2+(1+y)^2}+\frac{x^2+y^2-1}{x^2+(1+y)^2}i \\ &= \frac{2x}{x^2+(y+1)^2}+\frac{x^2+y^2-1}{x^2+(1+y)^2}i \end{align*} Therefore \(u = \frac{2x}{x^2+(y+1)^2}, v = \frac{x^2+y^2-1}{x^2+(1+y)^2}\)
For any given positive integer \(n\), a number \(a\) (which may be complex) is said to be a primitive \(n\)th root of unity if \(a^n=1\) and there is no integer \(m\) such that \(0 < m < n\) and \(a^m = 1\). Write down the two primitive 4th roots of unity. Let \({\rm C}_n(x)\) be the polynomial such that the roots of the equation \({\rm C}_n(x)=0\) are the primitive \(n\)th roots of unity, the coefficient of the highest power of \(x\) is one and the equation has no repeated roots. Show that \({\rm C}_4(x) = x^2+1\,\).
Solution: The primitive 4th roots of unity are \(i\) and \(-i\). (Since the other two roots of \(x^4-1\) are also roots of \(x^2-1\) \({\rm C}_4(x) = (x-i)(x+i) = x^2+1\) as required.
Show that $\big\vert \e^{\i\beta} -\e^{\i\alpha}\big\vert = 2\sin\frac12 (\beta-\alpha)\,\( for \)0<\alpha<\beta<2\pi\,$. Hence show that \[ \big\vert \e^{\i\alpha} -\e^{\i\beta}\big\vert \; \big\vert \e^{\i\gamma} -\e^{\i\delta}\big\vert + \big\vert \e^{\i\beta} -\e^{\i\gamma}\big\vert \; \big\vert \e^{\i\alpha} -\e^{\i\delta}\big\vert = \big\vert \e^{\i\alpha} -\e^{\i\gamma}\big\vert \; \big\vert \e^{\i\beta} -\e^{\i\delta}\big\vert \,, \] where \(0<\alpha<\beta<\gamma<\delta<2\pi\). Interpret this result as a theorem about cyclic quadrilaterals.
A sequence of points \((x_1,y_1)\), \((x_2,y_2)\), \(\ldots\) in the cartesian plane is generated by first choosing \((x_1,y_1)\) then applying the rule, for \(n=1\), \(2\), \(\ldots\), \[ (x_{n+1}, y_{n+1}) = (x_n^2-y_n^2 +a, \; 2x_ny_n+b+2)\,, \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are given real constants.
The points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) in the Argand diagram are the vertices of an equilateral triangle described anticlockwise. Show that the complex numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) representing \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) satisfy \[2c= (a+b) +\mathrm{i}\sqrt3(b-a).\] Find a similar relation in the case that \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are the vertices of an equilateral triangle described clockwise.
The distinct points \(P\), \(Q\), \(R\) and \(S\) in the Argand diagram lie on a circle of radius \(a\) centred at the origin and are represented by the complex numbers \(p\), \(q\), \(r\) and \(s\), respectively. Show that \[ pq = -a^2 \frac {p-q}{p^*-q^*}\,. \] Deduce that, if the chords \(PQ\) and \(RS\) are perpendicular, then \(pq+rs=0\). The distinct points \(A_1\), \(A_2\), \(\ldots\), \(A_n\) (where \(n\ge3\)) lie on a circle. The points \hbox{\(B_1\), \(B_2\), \(\ldots\), \(B_{n}\)} lie on the same circle and are chosen so that the chords \(B_1B_2\), \(B_2B_3\), \(\ldots\), \(B_nB_{1}\) are perpendicular, respectively, to the chords \(A_1A_2\), \(A_2A_3\), \(\ldots\), \(A_nA_1\). Show that, for \(n=3\), there are only two choices of \(B_1\) for which this is possible. What is the corresponding result for \(n=4\)? State the corresponding results for values of \(n\) greater than 4.