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2025 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

    1. Show that if the complex number \(z\) satisfies the equation \[z^2 + |z + b| = a,\] where \(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers, then \(z\) must be either purely real or purely imaginary.
    2. Show that the equation \[z^2 + \left|z + \frac{5}{2}\right| = \frac{7}{2}\] has no purely imaginary roots.
    3. Show that the equation \[z^2 + \left|z + \frac{7}{2}\right| = \frac{5}{2}\] has no purely real roots.
    4. Show that, when \(\frac{1}{2} < b < \frac{3}{4}\), the equation \[z^2 + |z + b| = \frac{1}{2}\] will have at least one purely imaginary root and at least one purely real root.
  1. Solve the equation \[z^3 + |z + 2|^2 = 4.\]


Solution:

    1. Suppose \(z^2 + |z + b| = a\), then \(z^2 = a- |z + b| \in \mathbb{R}\), since \(a \in \mathbb{R}\). Since the square root of a real number is either purely real or purely imaginary, \(z\) is purely real or purely imaginary.
    2. Suppose \(z = it\) for some \(t \in \mathbb{R}\), then \begin{align*} && \frac72 &= -t^2 +\sqrt{t^2 + \frac{25}{4}} \\ \Rightarrow && \left ( \frac72 + t^2\right)^2 &= t^2 + \frac{25}{4} \\ \Rightarrow && t^4 + 7t^2 + \frac{49}{4} &= t^2 + \frac{25}{4} \\ \Rightarrow && t^4 + 6t^2 + 6 &= 0 \end{align*} but since \(\Delta = 6^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 6 < 0\) there are no real solutions.
    3. Suppose \(z = t\) for some \(t \in \mathbb{R}\), then either \(t^2 + t + \frac72 = \frac52 \Rightarrow t^2 + t + 1 = 0\) (no solutions) or \(t^2 - t - \frac72 = \frac52 \Rightarrow t^2 - t - 6 = (t-3)(t+2) = 0\). When \(t = 3\) then we must take the positive part for \(|z + \frac72|\) so this cannot work. When \(t = -2\) we also have \(\frac72-2 > 0\) so we are still taking the positive part. Hence no solutions
    4. Suppose \(\frac{1}{2} < b < \frac{3}{4}\), the equation then consider \(z^2 + |z + b| = \frac{1}{2}\). Case 1: \(z = t \in \mathbb{R}\), then we have two cases: Case 1a: \(z+b > 0\). \(z^2 + z + b = \frac12 \Rightarrow z = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1-4b+2}}{2}\) which clearly is a valid real number an \(z + b > 0\). Case 1b: \(z+b < 0\) \(z^2 - z - b = \frac12 \Rightarrow z = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{1+4b-2}}{2}\)
  1. Let \(\omega\) be a (primitive) cube root of unity. \begin{align*} && z^3 &= 4 - |z+2|^2 \\ \Rightarrow && z &\in \mathbb{R} \cup \omega \mathbb{R} \cup \omega^2 \mathbb{R} \end{align*} Case 1:

2025 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Let \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) be three non-zero complex numbers with the properties \(a + b + c = 0\) and \(a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 0\). Show that \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) cannot all be real. Show further that \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) all have the same modulus.
  2. Show that it is not possible to find three non-zero complex numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) with the properties \(a + b + c = 0\) and \(a^3 + b^3 + c^3 = 0\).
  3. Show that if any four non-zero complex numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\) have the properties \(a + b + c + d = 0\) and \(a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + d^3 = 0\), then at least two of them must have the same modulus.
  4. Show, by taking \(c = 1\), \(d = -2\) and \(e = 3\) that it is possible to find five real numbers \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), \(d\) and \(e\) with distinct magnitudes and with the properties \(a + b + c + d + e = 0\) and \(a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + d^3 + e^3 = 0\).


Solution:

  1. If \(a,b,c\) were all real then \(a^2+b^2+c^2 = 0 \Rightarrow a,b,c = 0\) but they are non-zero. Therefore they cannot all be real. Since \((a+b+c)^2 = 0\) we must have \(ab+bc+ca = 0\). Therefore \(a,b,c\) must satisfy \(x^3 -abc = 0 \Rightarrow\) they all have the same modulus, since they are all cube roots of the same number.
  2. Notice that \(a^3+b^3+c^3 - 3abc = (a+b+c)(a^2+b^2+c^2 - ab-bc-ca) \Rightarrow abc = 0\) but therefore they cannot all be non-zero.
  3. Suppose \(a+b+c+d = 0\) then note that \(\displaystyle a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2 = (a+b+c+d)^2 - 2\sum_{sym} ab\) and \(\displaystyle a^3+b^3+c^3+d^3 = (a+b+c+d)^3 - 3(a+b+c+d)(ab+ac+ad+bc+bd+cd) + 3(abc+abd+acd+bcd) \Rightarrow abc+abd+acd+bcd = 0\). Therefore \(a,b,c,d\) are roots of a polynomial of the form \(x^4 -kx^2 + l = 0\), but this means they must come in pairs with the same modulus.
  4. Suppose \(c = 1, d = -2, e = 3\) so \(c+d+e = 2\) and \(c^3 + d^3 + e^3 = 1 - 8 + 27 = 20\), so we need to find \(a,b\) satisfying \(a+b = -2, a^2+b^2 = -20\), ie \(4 = (a+b)^2 = -20 + 2ab \Rightarrow ab = 12\), so we need the roots of \(x^2 +2x + 12= 0\) which clearly have different modulus.

2025 Paper 3 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Show that $$z^{m+1} - \frac{1}{z^{m+1}} = \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\left(z^m + \frac{1}{z^m}\right) + \left(z^{m-1} - \frac{1}{z^{m-1}}\right)$$ Hence prove by induction that, for \(n \geq 1\), $$z^{2n} - \frac{1}{z^{2n}} = \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\sum_{r=1}^n \left(z^{2r-1} + \frac{1}{z^{2r-1}}\right)$$ Find similarly \(z^{2n} - \frac{1}{z^{2n}}\) as a product of \((z + \frac{1}{z})\) and a sum.
    1. By choosing \(z = e^{i\theta}\), show that $$\sin 2n\theta = 2\sin\theta \sum_{r=1}^n \cos(2r-1)\theta$$
    2. Use this result, with \(n = 2\), to show that \(\cos\frac{2\pi}{5} = \cos\frac{\pi}{5} - \frac{1}{2}\).
    3. Use this result, with \(n = 7\), to show that \(\cos\frac{2\pi}{15} + \cos\frac{4\pi}{15} + \cos\frac{8\pi}{15} + \cos\frac{16\pi}{15} = \frac{1}{2}\).
  2. Show that \(\sin\frac{\pi}{14} - \sin\frac{3\pi}{14} + \sin\frac{5\pi}{14} = \frac{1}{2}\).


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} RHS &= \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\left(z^m + \frac{1}{z^m}\right) + \left(z^{m-1} - \frac{1}{z^{m-1}}\right) \\ &= z^{m+1} + \frac{1}{z^{m-1}} - z^{m-1} - \frac{1}{z^{m+1}} + z^{m-1} - \frac{1}{z^{m-1}} \\ &= z^{m+1} - \frac{1}{z^{m+1}} \\ &= LHS \end{align*}. Claim: For \(n \geq 1\), $$z^{2n} - \frac{1}{z^{2n}} = \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\sum_{r=1}^n \left(z^{2r-1} + \frac{1}{z^{2r-1}}\right)$$ Proof: (By Induction) Base Case: (\(n=1\)). \begin{align*} LHS &= z^2 - \frac{1}{z^2} \\ &= (z-\frac1z)(z + \frac{1}{z}) \\ &= (z - \frac1z) \sum_{r=1}^1 \left ( z + \frac{1}{z} \right) \\ &= (z - \frac1z) \sum_{r=1}^1 \left ( z^{2r-1} + \frac{1}{z^{2r-1}} \right) \\ &= RHS \end{align*} as required. Inductive step: Suppose our result is true for some \(n=k\), then consider \(n = k+1\). \begin{align*} RHS &= \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\sum_{r=1}^{k+1} \left(z^{2r-1} + \frac{1}{z^{2r-1}}\right) \\ &= \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\sum_{r=1}^{k} \left(z^{2r-1} + \frac{1}{z^{2r-1}}\right) + \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\left(z^{2k+1} + \frac{1}{z^{2k+1}}\right) \\ &= z^{2k} - \frac{1}{z^{2k}} + \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\left(z^{2k+1} + \frac{1}{z^{2k+1}}\right) \\ &= z^{2k+2} - \frac{1}{z^{2k+2}} \\ &= LHS \end{align*}. Therefore if our result is true for \(n=k\) is true, it is true for \(n=k+1\). Since it is also true for \(n=1\) it is true for all \(n \geq 1\) but the principle of mathematical induction. Since \(\displaystyle z^{m+1} - \frac{1}{z^{m+1}} = \left(z + \frac{1}{z}\right)\left(z^m - \frac{1}{z^m}\right) + \left(z^{m-1} - \frac{1}{z^{m-1}}\right)\), we must have \(\displaystyle z^{2n}-\frac{1}{z^{2n}} = \left ( z + \frac{1}{z} \right) \sum_{r=1}^n \left (z^{2r-1}-\frac{1}{z^{2r-1}} \right)\)
    1. Since $$z^{2n} - \frac{1}{z^{2n}} = \left(z - \frac{1}{z}\right)\sum_{r=1}^n \left(z^{2r-1} + \frac{1}{z^{2r-1}}\right)$$ we have \begin{align*} && e^{2n\theta i} - e^{-2n\theta i} &= \left(e^{\theta i} - e^{-\theta i}\right)\sum_{r=1}^n \left(e^{(2r-1)\theta i} + e^{-(2r-1)\theta i}\right) \\ \Rightarrow && 2i \sin 2n \theta &= 2i \sin \theta \sum_{r=1}^n 2 \cos (2r-1) \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \sin 2n \theta &= 2\sin \theta \sum_{r=1}^n \cos (2r-1) \theta \end{align*}
    2. When \(n = 2, \theta = \frac{\pi}{5}\) we have: \begin{align*} &&\sin \frac{4\pi}{5} &= 2 \sin \frac{\pi}{5} (\cos \frac{\pi}{5} + \cos \frac{3\pi}{5}) \\ &&\sin \frac{\pi}{5} &= 2 \sin \frac{\pi}{5} (\cos \frac{\pi}{5} - \cos \frac{2\pi}{5}) \\ &&\frac12 &= \cos \frac{\pi}{5} - \cos \frac{2 \pi}{5} \\ \Rightarrow && \cos \frac{2\pi}{5} &= \cos \frac{\pi}{5} - \frac12 \end{align*}
    3. When \(n = 7, \theta = \frac{\pi}{15}\) we have: \begin{align*} && \sin \frac{14 \pi}{15} &= 2 \sin \frac{\pi}{15} \sum_{r=1}^7 \cos (2r-1) \frac{\pi}{15} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 &= \cos \frac{\pi}{15} + \cos \frac{3 \pi}{15} + \cos \frac{5 \pi}{15}+ \cos \frac{7 \pi}{15}+ \cos \frac{9 \pi}{15}+ \cos \frac{11 \pi}{15}+ \cos \frac{13 \pi}{15} \\ &&&= -\cos \frac{16\pi}{15} + \cos \frac{3 \pi}{15} + \cos \frac{5 \pi}{15}- \cos \frac{8 \pi}{15}+ \cos \frac{9 \pi}{15}- \cos \frac{4 \pi}{15}- \cos \frac{2\pi}{15} \\ &&&= - \left ( \cos \frac{2\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{4\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{8\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{16\pi}{15}\right) + \cos \frac{\pi}{5} + \cos \frac{\pi}{3} + \cos \frac{3 \pi}{5} \\ &&&= - \left ( \cos \frac{2\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{4\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{8\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{16\pi}{15}\right) + \frac12 + \frac12 \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 &= cos \frac{2\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{4\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{8\pi}{15}+\cos \frac{16\pi}{15} \end{align*}
  2. By using \(z = e^{i \theta}\) we have that: \begin{align*} && z^{2n}-\frac{1}{z^{2n}} &= \left ( z + \frac{1}{z} \right) \sum_{r=1}^n \left (z^{2r-1}-\frac{1}{z^{2r-1}} \right ) \\ \Rightarrow && e^{2n \theta i} - e^{-2n \theta i} &= (e^{\theta i} + e^{-\theta i}) \sum_{r=1}^n (e^{(2r-1)\theta i} - e^{(2r-1) \theta i}) \\ \Rightarrow && 2i \sin 2n \theta &= 2 \cos \theta \sum_{r=1}^n 2i \sin(2r-1) \theta \\ \Rightarrow && \sin 2n \theta &= 2 \cos \theta \sum_{r=1}^n \sin(2r-1) \theta \end{align*} When \(n = 3, \theta = \frac{\pi}{14}\) we must have: \begin{align*} &&\sin \frac{3 \pi}{7} &= 2 \cos \frac{\pi}{14}( \sin \frac{\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{3\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{5\pi}{14}) \\ &&&= 2 \sin \left (\frac{\pi}{2} - \frac{\pi}{14} \right)( \sin \frac{\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{3\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{5\pi}{14}) \\ &&&= 2 \sin \frac{3\pi}{7} ( \sin \frac{\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{3\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{5\pi}{14}) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 &= \sin \frac{\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{3\pi}{14}+\sin \frac{5\pi}{14} \end{align*} as required.

2023 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. The complex numbers \(z\) and \(w\) have real and imaginary parts given by \(z = a + \mathrm{i}b\) and \(w = c + \mathrm{i}d\). Prove that \(|zw| = |z||w|\).
  2. By considering the complex numbers \(2 + \mathrm{i}\) and \(10 + 11\mathrm{i}\), find positive integers \(h\) and \(k\) such that \(h^2 + k^2 = 5 \times 221\).
  3. Find positive integers \(m\) and \(n\) such that \(m^2 + n^2 = 8045\).
  4. You are given that \(102^2 + 201^2 = 50805\). Find positive integers \(p\) and \(q\) such that \(p^2 + q^2 = 36 \times 50805\).
  5. Find three distinct pairs of positive integers \(r\) and \(s\) such that \(r^2 + s^2 = 25 \times 1002082\) and \(r < s\).
  6. You are given that \(109 \times 9193 = 1002037\). Find positive integers \(t\) and \(u\) such that \(t^2 + u^2 = 9193\).

2023 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Show that, if \(a\) and \(b\) are complex numbers, with \(b \neq 0\), and \(s\) is a positive real number, then the points in the Argand diagram representing the complex numbers \(a + sbi\), \(a - sbi\) and \(a + b\) form an isosceles triangle. Given three points which form an isosceles triangle in the Argand diagram, explain with the aid of a diagram how to determine the values of \(a\), \(b\) and \(s\) so that the vertices of the triangle represent complex numbers \(a + sbi\), \(a - sbi\) and \(a + b\).
  2. Show that, if the roots of the equation \(z^3 + pz + q = 0\), where \(p\) and \(q\) are complex numbers, are represented in the Argand diagram by the vertices of an isosceles triangle, then there is a non-zero real number \(s\) such that \[\frac{p^3}{q^2} = \frac{27(3s^2 - 1)^3}{4(9s^2 + 1)^2}\,.\]
  3. Sketch the graph \(y = \dfrac{(3x-1)^3}{(9x+1)^2}\), identifying any stationary points.
  4. Show that if the roots of the equation \(z^3 + pz + q = 0\) are represented in the Argand diagram by the vertices of an isosceles triangle then \(\dfrac{p^3}{q^2}\) is a real number and \(\dfrac{p^3}{q^2} > -\dfrac{27}{4}\).

2022 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Let \(\mathrm{h}(z) = nz^6 + z^5 + z + n\), where \(z\) is a complex number and \(n \geqslant 2\) is an integer.

  1. Let \(w\) be a root of the equation \(\mathrm{h}(z) = 0\).
    1. Show that \(|w^5| = \sqrt{\dfrac{\mathrm{f}(w)}{\mathrm{g}(w)}}\), where \[\mathrm{f}(z) = n^2 + 2n\operatorname{Re}(z) + |z|^2 \quad \text{and} \quad \mathrm{g}(z) = n^2|z|^2 + 2n\operatorname{Re}(z) + 1.\]
    2. By considering \(\mathrm{f}(w) - \mathrm{g}(w)\), prove by contradiction that \(|w| \geqslant 1\).
    3. Show that \(|w| = 1\).
  2. It is given that the equation \(\mathrm{h}(z) = 0\) has six distinct roots, none of which is purely real.
    1. Show that \(\mathrm{h}(z)\) can be written in the form \[\mathrm{h}(z) = n(z^2 - a_1 z + 1)(z^2 - a_2 z + 1)(z^2 - a_3 z + 1),\] where \(a_1\), \(a_2\) and \(a_3\) are real constants.
    2. Find \(a_1 + a_2 + a_3\) in terms of \(n\).
    3. By considering the coefficient of \(z^3\) in \(\mathrm{h}(z)\), find \(a_1 a_2 a_3\) in terms of \(n\).
    4. How many of the six roots of the equation \(\mathrm{h}(z) = 0\) have a negative real part? Justify your answer.

2022 Paper 3 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Use De Moivre's theorem to prove that for any positive integer \(k > 1\), \[ \sin(k\theta) = \sin\theta\cos^{k-1}\theta \left( k - \binom{k}{3}(\sec^2\theta - 1) + \binom{k}{5}(\sec^2\theta - 1)^2 - \cdots \right) \] and find a similar expression for \(\cos(k\theta)\).
  2. Let \(\theta = \cos^{-1}(\frac{1}{a})\), where \(\theta\) is measured in degrees, and \(a\) is an odd integer greater than \(1\). Suppose that there is a positive integer \(k\) such that \(\sin(k\theta) = 0\) and \(\sin(m\theta) \neq 0\) for all integers \(m\) with \(0 < m < k\). Show that it would be necessary to have \(k\) even and \(\cos(\frac{1}{2}k\theta) = 0\). Deduce that \(\theta\) is irrational.
  3. Show that if \(\phi = \cot^{-1}(\frac{1}{b})\), where \(\phi\) is measured in degrees, and \(b\) is an even integer greater than \(1\), then \(\phi\) is irrational.

2021 Paper 2 Q2
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

In this question, the numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) may be complex.

  1. Let \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\) be real numbers. Given that there are numbers \(a\) and \(b\) such that \[ a + b = p, \quad a^2 + b^2 = q \quad \text{and} \quad a^3 + b^3 = r, \qquad (*) \] show that \(3pq - p^3 = 2r\).
  2. Conversely, you are given that the real numbers \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\) satisfy \(3pq - p^3 = 2r\). By considering the equation \(2x^2 - 2px + (p^2 - q) = 0\), show that there exist numbers \(a\) and \(b\) such that the three equations \((*)\) hold.
  3. Let \(s\), \(t\), \(u\) and \(v\) be real numbers. Given that there are distinct numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) such that \[ a + b + c = s, \quad a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = t, \quad a^3 + b^3 + c^3 = u \quad \text{and} \quad abc = v, \] show, using part~(i), that \(c\) is a root of the equation \[ 6x^3 - 6sx^2 + 3(s^2 - t)x + 3st - s^3 - 2u = 0 \] and write down the other two roots. Deduce that \(s^3 - 3st + 2u = 6v\).
  4. Find numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) such that \[ a + b + c = 3, \quad a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 1, \quad a^3 + b^3 + c^3 = -3 \quad \text{and} \quad abc = 2, \qquad (**) \] and verify that your solution satisfies the four equations \((**)\).

2021 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. Let \[ z = \frac{e^{i\theta} + e^{i\phi}}{e^{i\theta} - e^{i\phi}}, \] where \(\theta\) and \(\phi\) are real, and \(\theta - \phi \neq 2n\pi\) for any integer \(n\). Show that \[ z = i\cot\!\bigl(\tfrac{1}{2}(\phi - \theta)\bigr) \] and give expressions for the modulus and argument of \(z\).
  2. The distinct points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on a circle with radius \(1\) and centre \(O\). In the complex plane, \(A\) and \(B\) are represented by the complex numbers \(a\) and \(b\), and \(O\) is at the origin. The point \(X\) is represented by the complex number \(x\), where \(x = a + b\) and \(a + b \neq 0\). Show that \(OX\) is perpendicular to \(AB\). If the distinct points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) in the complex plane, which are represented by the complex numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\), lie on a circle with radius \(1\) and centre \(O\), and \(h = a + b + c\) represents the point \(H\), then \(H\) is said to be the orthocentre of the triangle \(ABC\).
  3. The distinct points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) lie on a circle with radius \(1\) and centre \(O\). In the complex plane, \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) are represented by the complex numbers \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\), and \(O\) is at the origin. Show that, if the point \(H\), represented by the complex number \(h\), is the orthocentre of the triangle \(ABC\), then either \(h = a\) or \(AH\) is perpendicular to \(BC\).
  4. The distinct points \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(D\) (in that order, anticlockwise) all lie on a circle with radius \(1\) and centre \(O\). The points \(P\), \(Q\), \(R\) and \(S\) are the orthocentres of the triangles \(ABC\), \(BCD\), \(CDA\) and \(DAB\), respectively. By considering the midpoint of \(AQ\), show that there is a single transformation which maps the quadrilateral \(ABCD\) onto the quadrilateral \(QRSP\) and describe this transformation fully.


Solution:

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && z &= \frac{e^{i \theta} + e^{i \phi}}{e^{i \theta} - e^{i \phi}} \\ &&&= \frac{e^{i\frac12(\theta +\phi)}(e^{i \frac12(\theta-\phi)} + e^{-i\frac12(\theta- \phi)})}{e^{i\frac12(\theta +\phi)}(e^{i \frac12(\theta-\phi)} - e^{-i\frac12(\theta- \phi)})} \\ &&&= \frac{(e^{i \frac12(\theta-\phi)} + e^{-i\frac12(\theta- \phi)})/2}{i(e^{i \frac12(\theta-\phi)} - e^{-i\frac12(\theta- \phi)})/2i} \\ &&&= \frac{\cos \frac12(\theta-\phi)}{i \sin \frac12(\theta-\phi)} \\ &&&= -i \cot \tfrac12(\theta-\phi) \end{align*} Therefore \(|z| = \cot \tfrac12(\theta-\phi)\) and \(\arg z = \frac{\pi}{2}\)
  2. Since \(a,b\) lie on the unit circle, wlog \(a = e^{i \theta}, b = e^{i\phi}\). Not that the line \(OX\) has vector \(a+b\) and \(AB\) has vector \(b-a\) and not their ratio has argument \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) and hence they are perpendicular.
  3. \(AH\) has vector \(h - a = (a+b+c) - a = b+c\) which we've already established is perpendicular to \(c-b\) which is the vector for \(BC\) (unless \(b+c = 0\) in which case \(h = a\)).
  4. \(p = a +b+c, q = b+c+d\) etc. The midpoint of \(AQ = \frac12(a+b+c+d)\) which is the same as the midpoint of \(BR\), \(CS\) and \(DP\). Therefore we could say the transformation is reflection in the point \(\frac12(a+b+c+d)\)

2020 Paper 2 Q7
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

In this question, \(w = \dfrac{2}{z-2}\).

  1. Let \(z\) be the complex number \(3 + t\mathrm{i}\), where \(t \in \mathbb{R}\). Show that \(|w - 1|\) is independent of \(t\). Hence show that, if \(z\) is a complex number on the line \(\operatorname{Re}(z) = 3\) in the Argand diagram, then \(w\) lies on a circle in the Argand diagram with centre \(1\). Let \(V\) be the line \(\operatorname{Re}(z) = p\), where \(p\) is a real constant not equal to \(2\). Show that, if \(z\) lies on \(V\), then \(w\) lies on a circle whose centre and radius you should give in terms of \(p\). For which \(z\) on \(V\) is \(\operatorname{Im}(w) > 0\)?
  2. Let \(H\) be the line \(\operatorname{Im}(z) = q\), where \(q\) is a non-zero real constant. Show that, if \(z\) lies on \(H\), then \(w\) lies on a circle whose centre and radius you should give in terms of \(q\). For which \(z\) on \(H\) is \(\operatorname{Re}(w) > 0\)?

2020 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Given distinct points \(A\) and \(B\) in the complex plane, the point \(G_{AB}\) is defined to be the centroid of the triangle \(ABK\), where the point \(K\) is the image of \(B\) under rotation about \(A\) through a clockwise angle of \(\frac{1}{3}\pi\). Note: if the points \(P\), \(Q\) and \(R\) are represented in the complex plane by \(p\), \(q\) and \(r\), the centroid of triangle \(PQR\) is defined to be the point represented by \(\frac{1}{3}(p+q+r)\).

  1. If \(A\), \(B\) and \(G_{AB}\) are represented in the complex plane by \(a\), \(b\) and \(g_{ab}\), show that \[ g_{ab} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega a + \omega^* b), \] where \(\omega = \mathrm{e}^{\frac{\mathrm{i}\pi}{6}}\).
  2. The quadrilateral \(Q_1\) has vertices \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(D\), in that order, and the quadrilateral \(Q_2\) has vertices \(G_{AB}\), \(G_{BC}\), \(G_{CD}\) and \(G_{DA}\), in that order. Using the result in part (i), show that \(Q_1\) is a parallelogram if and only if \(Q_2\) is a parallelogram.
  3. The triangle \(T_1\) has vertices \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) and the triangle \(T_2\) has vertices \(G_{AB}\), \(G_{BC}\) and \(G_{CA}\). Using the result in part (i), show that \(T_2\) is always an equilateral triangle.


Solution:

  1. Note that the vector \(\overrightarrow{AB}\) is \(b-a\), and if we rotate this by \(\frac13\pi\) we get \(e^{-i\pi/3}(b-a)\) after rotating it. Therefore the point \(K\) is represented by \(a + e^{-i\pi/3}(b-a)\) and so \(G_{AB}\) is \begin{align*} && g_{ab} &= \tfrac13(a + b + a + e^{-i\pi/3}(b-a)) \\ &&&= \tfrac13((1+ e^{-i\pi/3})b+(2-e^{-i\pi/3})a)\\ &&&= \tfrac13((1+\tfrac12 - \tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)b + ((2-\tfrac12+\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)a) \\ &&&= \tfrac13((\tfrac32 - \tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)b + ((\tfrac32+\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}i)a) \\ &&&= \tfrac1{\sqrt3}((\tfrac{\sqrt3}2 - \tfrac{1}{2}i)b + ((\tfrac{\sqrt3}2+\tfrac{1}{2}i)a) \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\sqrt3}(\omega^* b + \omega a) \end{align*}
  2. First note that \(Q_1\) is a parallelogram iff \(c - a = (b-a) + (d-a)\) ie \(a + c = b+d\) (indeed this is true for all quadrilaterals), so. \begin{align*} && Q_1 &\text{ is a parallelogram} \\ \Longleftrightarrow && a + b &= c + d \\ \Longleftrightarrow && \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega - \omega^*)(a + c) &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega -\omega^*)(b + d) \\ \Longleftrightarrow && \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega a + \omega^*b)+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega c + \omega^*d) &=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega b + \omega^*c)+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}(\omega d + \omega^*a) \\ \Longleftrightarrow && g_{ab}+g_{cd} &=g_{bc}+g_{da} \\ \Longleftrightarrow && Q_2 &\text{ is a parallelogram} \\ \end{align*}
  3. We consider \(\frac{g_{ab}-g_{bc}}{g_{ca}-g_{bc}}\) so \begin{align*} && \frac{g_{ab}-g_{bc}}{g_{ca}-g_{bc}} &= \frac{(\omega a + \omega^*b)-(\omega b + \omega^* c)}{(\omega c + \omega^*a)-(\omega b + \omega^* c)} \\ &&&= \frac{\omega a- \omega^* c -(\omega- \omega^*)b }{\omega^*a-\omega b -(\omega^* -\omega )c} \\ &&&= \frac{\omega^2 a- c -(\omega^2- 1)b }{a-\omega^2 b -(1 -\omega^2 )c} \\ &&&=\omega^2\frac{ a- \omega^4 c -(1- \omega^4)b }{a-\omega^2 b -(1 -\omega^2 )c} \\ &&&=\omega^2\frac{ a- (1-\omega^2) c -\omega^2b }{a-\omega^2 b -(1 -\omega^2 )c} \\ &&&= \omega^2 \end{align*} Therefore the triangle is equilateral.

2019 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

The point \(P\) in the Argand diagram is represented by the the complex number \(z\), which satisfies $$zz^* - az^* - a^*z + aa^* - r^2 = 0.$$ Here, \(r\) is a positive real number and \(r^2 \neq a^*a\). By writing \(|z - a|^2\) as \((z - a)(z - a)^*\), show that the locus of \(P\) is a circle, \(C\), the radius and the centre of which you should give.

  1. The point \(Q\) is represented by \(\omega\), and is related to \(P\) by \(\omega = \frac{1}{z}\). Let \(C'\) be the locus of \(Q\). Show that \(C'\) is also a circle, and give its radius and centre. If \(C\) and \(C'\) are the same circle, show that $$(|a|^2 - r^2)^2 = 1$$ and that either \(a\) is real or \(a\) is imaginary. Give sketches to indicate the position of \(C\) in these two cases.
  2. Suppose instead that the point \(Q\) is represented by \(\omega\), where \(\omega = \frac{1}{z^*}\). If the locus of \(Q\) is \(C\), is it the case that either \(a\) is real or \(a\) is imaginary?


Solution: \begin{align*} && |z-a|^2 &= (z-a)(z-a)^* \\ &&&= (z-a)(z^*-a^*) \\ &&&= zz^*-az^*-a^*z+aa^* \\ &&&= r^2 \end{align*} Therefore the locus of \(P\) is a circle centre \(a\) radius \(r\).

  1. \begin{align*} && 0 &= zz^* - az^* - a^*z + aa^* - r^2 \\ &&&= \frac{1}{\omega \omega^{*}} - \frac{a}{\omega^*} - \frac{a^*}{\omega} + aa^*-r^2 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 1-a\omega-a^*\omega^*+(|a|^2-r^2)\omega\omega^* \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= \omega\omega^* - \left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)^*\omega - \left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)\omega^*+\left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)\left ( \frac{a}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)-\left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)\left ( \frac{a}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)+ \frac{1}{|a|^2-r^2} \\ &&&= \omega\omega^* - \left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)^*\omega - \left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)\omega^*+\frac{|a|^2}{(|a|^2-r^2)^2}-\frac{|a|^2}{(|a|^2-r^2)^2}+ \frac{1}{|a|^2-r^2} \\ &&&=\omega\omega^* - \left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)^*\omega - \left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)\omega^*+\frac{|a|^2}{(|a|^2-r^2)^2}- \frac{r^2}{(|a|^2-r^2)^2} \end{align*} Therefore \(\displaystyle \left|\omega-\left ( \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\right)\right|^2 = \frac{r^2}{(|a|^2-r^2)^2}\) ie \(\omega\) lies on a circle centre \(\frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2}\), radius \(\frac{r}{||a|^2-r^2|}\). If these are the same circle then \(r = \frac{r}{||a|^2-r^2|} \Rightarrow (|a|^2-r^2)^2 = 1\) and \(a = \frac{a^*}{|a|^2-r^2} \Rightarrow a = \pm a^*\), ie \(a\) is purely real or imaginary.
  2. This is the same story, except we end up with centre \(\frac{a}{|a|^2-r^2}\), so we do not end up with the same conditions

2018 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

  1. The distinct points \(A\), \(Q\) and \(C\) lie on a straight line in the Argand diagram, and represent the distinct complex numbers \(a\), \(q\) and \(c\), respectively. Show that \(\dfrac {q-a}{c-a}\) is real and hence that \((c-a)(q^*-a^*) = (c^*-a^*)(q-a)\,\). Given that \(aa^* = cc^* = 1\), show further that \[ q+ ac q^* = a+c \,. \]
  2. The distinct points \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(D\) lie, in anticlockwise order, on the circle of unit radius with centre at the origin (so that, for example, \(aa^* =1\)). The lines \(AC\) and \(BD\) meet at \(Q\). Show that \[ (ac-bd)q^* = (a+c)-(b+d) \,, \] where \(b\) and \(d\) are complex numbers represented by the points \(B\) and \(D\) respectively, and show further that \[ (ac-bd) (q+q^*) = (a-b)(1+cd) +(c-d)(1+ab) \,. \]
  3. The lines \(AB\) and \(CD\) meet at \(P\), which represents the complex number \(p\). Given that \(p\) is real, show that \(p(1+ab)=a+b\,\). Given further that \(ac-bd \ne 0\,\), show that \[ p(q+q^*) = 2 \,. \]


Solution:

  1. \(A\), \(Q\), \(C\) lie on a straight line if \(q = \lambda a + (1-\lambda)c\) for some \(\lambda \in \mathbb{R}\), \begin{align*} && q &= \lambda a + (1-\lambda)c \\ \Leftrightarrow && q - a &= (\lambda - 1)a + (1-\lambda)c \\ \Leftrightarrow && q - a &= (\lambda - 1)(a-c) \\ \Leftrightarrow && \frac{q - a}{c-a} &= 1-\lambda \\ \end{align*} therefore \(\frac{q-a}{c-a} \in \mathbb{R}\) \begin{align*} && \frac{q-a}{c-a} & \in \mathbb{R} \\ \Leftrightarrow && \left (\frac{q-a}{c-a} \right)^* &= \frac{q-a}{c-a} \\ \Leftrightarrow && (q^*-a^*)(c-a) &= (q-a)(c^*-a^*) \\ \end{align*} Given \(aa^* = cc^* = 1\), \begin{align*} && (q^*-a^*)(c-a) &= (q-a)(c^*-a^*) \\ \Leftrightarrow && q^*(c-a) - \frac{c}{a}+1 &= q \frac{a-c}{ca} - \frac{a}{c}+1 \\ \Leftrightarrow && (c-a)\l q^* +\frac{q}{ca}\r &= \frac{c}{a} - \frac{a}{c} \\ &&&= \frac{c^2-a^2}{ac} \\ \Leftrightarrow && q^* +\frac{q}{ca} &= \frac{c+a}{ac} \\ \Leftrightarrow && q^*ac +q &= a+c \end{align*}
  2. Since \(Q\) lies on \(AC\) and \(BD\) we must have \begin{align*} &&& \begin{cases} q^*ac +q &= a+c \\ q^*bd +q &= b+d \\ \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && q^*(ac-bd) &= (a+c)-(b+d) \\ \Rightarrow && q(ac-bd) &= (b+d)ac-(a+c)bd \\ \Rightarrow && (q+q^*)(ac-bd) &= (a+c)(1-bd)+(b+d)(ac-1) \\ &&&=a-abd+c-bcd+abc-b+acd-d \\ &&&= a(1+cd)-b(1+cd)+c(1+ab)-d(1+ab) \\ &&&= (a-b)(1+cd)+(c-d)(1+ab) \end{align*}
  3. If \(AB\) and \(CD\) meet at \(p\) we must have \(p^*ab + p = a+b\), ie \(p(1+ab) = a+b\) amd \(p(1+cd) = c+d\), so \begin{align*} && (q+q^*)(ac-bd) &= (a-b) \frac{c+d}{p} + (c-d) \frac{a+b}{p} \\ \Leftrightarrow && p(q+q^*)(ac-bd) &= (a-b)(c+d)+(c-d)(a+b) \\ &&&= ac+ad-bc-bd+ac+bc-ad-bd \\ &&&= 2(ac-bd) \\ \Leftrightarrow && p(q+q^*) &= 2 \end{align*}

2018 Paper 3 Q7
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0

  1. Use De Moivre's theorem to show that, if \(\sin\theta\ne0\)\,, then \[ \frac{ \left(\cot \theta + \rm{i}\right)^{2n+1} -\left(\cot \theta - \rm{i}\right)^{2n+1}}{2\rm{i}} = \frac{\sin \left(2n+1\right)\theta} {\sin^{2n+1}\theta} \,, \] for any positive integer \(n\). Deduce that the solutions of the equation \[ \binom{2n+1}{1}x^{n}-\binom{2n+1}{3}x^{n-1} +\cdots + \left(-1\right)^{n}=0 \] are \[x=\cot^{2}\left(\frac{m\pi}{2n+1}\right) \] where \( m=1\), \(2\), \(\ldots\) , \(n\,\).
  2. Hence show that \[ \sum_{m=1}^n \cot^{2}\left(\frac{m\pi}{2n+1}\right) =\frac{n\left(2n-1\right)}{3}. \]
  3. Given that \(0<\sin \theta <\theta <\tan \theta\) for \(0 < \theta < \frac{1}{2}\pi\), show that \[ \cot^{2}\theta<\frac{1}{\theta^{2}}<1+\cot^{2}\theta. \] Hence show that \[ \sum^\infty_{m=1} \frac{1}{m^2}= \frac{\pi^2}{6}\,.\]


Solution:

  1. \begin{align*} \frac{\left(\cot \theta + i\right)^{2n+1} -\left(\cot \theta - i\right)^{2n+1}}{2i} &= \frac{1}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta}\frac{\left(\cos \theta + i \sin \theta \right)^{2n+1} -\left(\cos\theta - i\sin \theta\right)^{2n+1}}{2i} \\ &= \frac{1}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta} \frac{e^{i(2n+1) \theta} - e^{-i(2n+1) \theta} }{2i} \\ &=\frac{\sin (2n+1) \theta}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta} \end{align*} Notice that: \begin{align*} (\cot \theta + i)^{2n+1} - (\cot \theta - i)^{2n+1} &= \sum_{k=0}^{2n+1} \binom{2n+1}{k}(i)^k \cdot \cot^{2n+1-k} \theta - \sum_{k=0}^{2n+1} \binom{2n+1}{k}(-i)^k \cdot \cot^{2n+1-k} \theta \\ &= \sum_{k=0}^{2n+1} \binom{2n+1}{k} \l i^k - (-i)^k \r \cdot \cot^{2n+1-k} \theta \\ &= \sum_{l=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2l+1} \l i^{2l+1} - (-i)^{2l+1} \r \cdot \cot^{2n+1-(2l+1)} \theta \\ &= \sum_{l=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2l+1} 2i \cdot \cot^{2(n-l)} \theta \\ &= 2i\sum_{l=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2l+1} \cot^{2(n-l)} \theta \\ \end{align*} Therefore if \(\theta\) satisfies \(\frac{\sin (2n+1) \theta}{\sin^{2n+1} \theta} = 0\) then \(z = \cot^2 \theta\) satisfies the equation. But \(\theta = \frac{m \pi}{2n+1}, m = 1, 2, \ldots, n\) are \(n\) distinct all the roots must be \(\cot^2 \frac{m \pi}{2n+1}\).
  2. Notice that the sum of the roots will be \(\displaystyle \frac{\binom{2n+1}{3}}{\binom{2n+1}{1}} = \frac{(2n+1)\cdot 2n \cdot (2n-1)}{3! \cdot (2n+1)} = \frac{n \cdot (2n-1)}{3}\) and so \[ \sum_{m=1}^n \cot^{2}\left(\frac{m\pi}{2n+1}\right) =\frac{n\left(2n-1\right)}{3}. \]
  3. For \(0 < \theta < \frac{1}{2}\pi\), \begin{align*} && 0 < \sin \theta < \theta < \tan \theta \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 < \cot \theta < \frac{1}{\theta} < \frac{1}{\sin \theta} \\ \Leftrightarrow && 0 < \cot^2 \theta < \frac{1}{\theta^2} < \cosec^2 \theta = 1 + \cot^2 \theta\\ \end{align*} Therefore \begin{align*} && \sum_{n=1}^N \cot^2 \frac{n \pi}{2N+1} < \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{(2N+1)^2}{n^2 \pi^2} < N + \sum_{n=1}^N \cot^2 \frac{n \pi}{2N+1} \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} < \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2 \pi^2} < \frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \l \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} + 1 \r \\ \Rightarrow && \lim_{N \to \infty}\frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} < \lim_{N \to \infty}\sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2 \pi^2} < \lim_{N \to \infty}\frac{1}{(2N+1)^2} \l \frac{N(2N-1)}{3} + 1 \r \\ \Rightarrow && \frac{1}{6} \leq \lim_{N \to \infty}\sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2 \pi^2} \leq \frac16 \\ \Rightarrow && \sum_{n=1}^N \frac{1}{n^2} = \frac{\pi^2}{6} \end{align*}

2017 Paper 3 Q2
D: 1700.0 B: 1500.1

The transformation \(R\) in the complex plane is a rotation (anticlockwise) by an angle \(\theta\) about the point represented by the complex number \(a\). The transformation \(S\) in the complex plane is a rotation (anticlockwise) by an angle \(\phi\) about the point represented by the complex number \(b\).

  1. The point \(P\) is represented by the complex number~\(z\). Show that the image of \(P\) under \(R\) is represented by \[ \e^{{\mathrm i} \theta}z + a(1-\e^{{\rm i} \theta})\,. \]
  2. Show that the transformation \(SR\) (equivalent to \(R\) followed by \(S\)) is a rotation about the point represented by \(c\), where \[ %\textstyle c\,\sin \tfrac12 (\theta+\phi) = a\,\e^{ {\mathrm i}\phi/2}\sin \tfrac12\theta + b\,\e^{-{\mathrm i} \theta/2}\sin \tfrac12 \phi \,, \] provided \(\theta+\phi \ne 2n\pi\) for any integer \(n\). What is the transformation \(SR\) if \(\theta +\phi = 2\pi\)?
  3. Under what circumstances is \(RS =SR\)?


Solution:

  1. We can map \(a \mapsto 0\), rotate the whole plane, then shift the plane back to \(a\), so \(z \mapsto (z-a) \mapsto e^{i \theta}(z-a) \mapsto a + e^{i \theta}(z-a) = e^{i \theta}z + a(1 - e^{i\theta})\)
  2. \(z \mapsto e^{i \theta}z + a(1 - e^{i\theta}) \mapsto e^{i \phi} \l e^{i \theta}z + a(1 - e^{i\theta}) \r + b(1 - e^{i \phi})\) \begin{align*} e^{i \phi} \l e^{i \theta}z + a(1 - e^{i\theta}) \r + b(1 - e^{i \phi}) &= e^{i(\phi + \theta)}z + ae^{i\phi} - ae^{i (\theta + \phi)} + b(1 - e^{i \phi}) \\ \end{align*} Therefore this is rotation by angle \(\phi + \theta\) and about \begin{align*} \frac{ae^{i\phi} - ae^{i (\theta + \phi)} + b(1 - e^{i \phi})}{1 - e^{i(\phi + \theta)}} &= \frac{e^{-i\frac{(\phi + \theta)}{2}} \l ae^{i\phi} - ae^{i (\theta + \phi)} + b(1 - e^{i \phi}) \r}{e^{-i\frac{(\phi + \theta)}{2}} - e^{i\frac{(\phi + \theta)}2}} \\ &= \frac{\l ae^{i\frac{\phi-\theta}{2}} - ae^{i \frac{(\theta + \phi)}{2}} + b(e^{-i\frac{(\phi + \theta)}{2}} -e^{i\frac{(\phi - \theta)}{2}}) \r}{e^{-i\frac{(\phi + \theta)}{2}} - e^{i\frac{(\phi + \theta)}2}} \\ &= \frac{ae^{i\frac{\phi}{2}} 2i\sin(\frac{\theta}{2}) + be^{-i\frac{\theta}{2}}2i\sin\frac{\phi}{2} }{2i \sin(\frac{\phi + \theta}2)} \\ \end{align*} as required. If \(\phi + \theta = 2\pi\), then \(z \mapsto z + (b-a)(1 - e^{i\phi})\) which is a translation.
  3. If \(\phi + \theta \neq 2 \pi\) then \(RS = ST\) if \begin{align*} && a\,\e^{ {\mathrm i}\phi/2}\sin \tfrac12\theta + b\,\e^{-{\mathrm i} \theta/2}\sin \tfrac12 \phi &= b\,\e^{ {\mathrm i}\theta/2}\sin \tfrac12\phi + a\,\e^{-{\mathrm i} \phi/2}\sin \tfrac12 \theta \\ && a\,(\e^{ {\mathrm i}\phi/2}-\e^{-{\mathrm i}\phi/2})\sin \tfrac12\theta + b\,(\e^{-{\mathrm i} \theta/2}-\e^{+{\mathrm i} \theta/2})\sin \tfrac12 \phi &= 0 \\ && a \sin \frac{\phi}{2} \sin \frac{\theta}{2}-b \sin \frac{\theta}{2} \sin \frac{\phi}{2} &= 0 \\ \Leftrightarrow && a = b \text{ or } \sin \frac{\theta}{2} = 0 \text{ or } \sin \frac{\phi}{2} = 0 \\ \Leftrightarrow && a = b \text{ or } \theta = 0 \text{ or } \phi = 0 \\ \end{align*} If \(\phi + \theta \neq 2 \pi\) then \(RS = ST\) if \(b = a\) or \(e^{i\phi} = e^{i \theta}\) ie rotation through the same angle.