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IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL · AHL 6: Complex Numbers · AHL 6.2
Conjugates, division and equating parts Problem set B One question at a time
Try each question on paper first. Open the working a line at a time, then say whether you had it.
Skills
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Answer each part.
(a) Write down the conjugate of \(z = -3 + 8i\).
- \(z^* = -3 - 8i\) (change the sign of the imaginary part)
(b) \(z = 9 - 12i\). Find \(zz^*\).
- \(zz^* = 9^2 + (-12)^2 = 225\)
(c) \(z = 5 - 6i\). Find \(z^*\) and \(zz^*\).
- \(z^* = 5 + 6i\)
- \(zz^* = 5^2 + (-6)^2 = 61\)
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Let \(z = x + iy\), where \(x\) and \(y\) are real numbers.
(a) Show that \(z - z^*\) is purely imaginary.
- \(z - z^* = (x + iy) - (x - iy) = 2iy\)
- 2iy has no real part.
(b) Show that \(z^2 - (z^*)^2\) is purely imaginary.
- \(z^2 = x^2 + 2ixy - y^2,\quad (z^*)^2 = x^2 - 2ixy - y^2\)
- \(z^2 - (z^*)^2 = 4ixy\)
- This has no real part.
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Write each quotient in the form \(x + iy\). Give exact fractions where needed.
(a) \(\dfrac{11 - 10i}{4 + i}\)
- \(\dfrac{11 - 10i}{4 + i} = \dfrac{(11 - 10i)(4 - i)}{(4 + i)(4 - i)}\)
- \(= \dfrac{44 - 11i - 40i + 10i^2}{4^2 + 1^2} = \dfrac{34 - 51i}{17}\)
- \(= 2 - 3i\)
(b) \(\dfrac{5 - 2i}{3 + 2i}\)
- \(\dfrac{5 - 2i}{3 + 2i} = \dfrac{(5 - 2i)(3 - 2i)}{(3 + 2i)(3 - 2i)}\)
- \(= \dfrac{15 - 10i - 6i + 4i^2}{3^2 + 2^2} = \dfrac{11 - 16i}{13}\)
- \(= \frac{11}{13} - \frac{16}{13}i\)
(c) \(\dfrac{2}{1 + 4i}\)
- \(\dfrac{2}{1 + 4i} = \dfrac{(2)(1 - 4i)}{(1 + 4i)(1 - 4i)}\)
- \(= \dfrac{2 - 8i}{1^2 + 4^2} = \dfrac{2 - 8i}{17}\)
- \(= \frac{2}{17} - \frac{8}{17}i\)
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Find the complex number \(z\) that satisfies each equation.
(a) \(2z + z^* = 12 - 5i\)
- \(z = x + iy,\ z^* = x - iy\)
- \(2(x + iy) + (x - iy) = 3x + iy\)
- \(3x = 12,\quad y = -5\)
- \(x = 4,\ y = -5,\ z = 4 - 5i\)
(b) \(z - 2z^* = -6 + 9i\)
- \(z = x + iy,\ z^* = x - iy\)
- \((x + iy) - 2(x - iy) = -x + 3iy\)
- \(-x = -6,\quad 3y = 9\)
- \(x = 6,\ y = 3,\ z = 6 + 3i\)
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\(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers. Find \(a\) and \(b\) in each equation.
(a) \((a + bi)(2 + i) = -6 + 7i\)
- \((a + bi)(2 + i) = (2a - b) + (a + 2b)i\)
- \(2a - b = -6,\quad a + 2b = 7\)
- From the calculator (simultaneous equations): \(a = -1,\ b = 4\)
(b) \((a + bi)(3 - i) = 7 + i\)
- \((a + bi)(3 - i) = (3a + b) + (-a + 3b)i\)
- \(3a + b = 7,\quad -a + 3b = 1\)
- From the calculator (simultaneous equations): \(a = 2,\ b = 1\)
In context
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In a control system the output signal is \(y = 5 + 10i\) and the input signal is \(u = 2 - i\), both in volts. The system ratio is \(R = \dfrac{y}{u}\).
(a) Find the ratio \(R\) in the form \(x + iy\).
- \(\dfrac{5 + 10i}{2 - i} = \dfrac{(5 + 10i)(2 + i)}{(2 - i)(2 + i)}\)
- \(= \dfrac{10 + 5i + 20i + 10i^2}{2^2 + (-1)^2} = \dfrac{25i}{5}\)
- \(= 5i\)
(b) Show that \(uu^*\) is real and find its value.
- \(uu^* = (2 - i)(2 + i) = 2^2 + 1^2 = 5\)
- A number times its conjugate is real.
Stretch
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Find the complex number \(z\) such that \(z(1 - 2i) + z^* = 4 - 6i\), where \(z^*\) is the conjugate of \(z\).
- \(z(1 - 2i) + z^* = (x + iy)(1 - 2i) + (x - iy)\)
- \(= (2x + 2y) + (-2x)i\)
- \(2x + 2y = 4,\quad -2x = -6\)
- From the calculator (simultaneous equations): \(x = 3,\ y = -1\)
- \(z = 3 - i\)
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\(z = 3 - i\).
(a) Find \(zz^*\) and \(z + z^*\).
- \(zz^* = 3^2 + (-1)^2 = 10\)
- \(z + z^* = 2(3) = 6\)
(b) Hence show that \(\dfrac{1}{z} + \dfrac{1}{z^*}\) is real, and find its value.
- \(\dfrac{1}{z} + \dfrac{1}{z^*} = \dfrac{z^* + z}{zz^*}\)
- \(= \dfrac{6}{10} = \frac{3}{5}\)
- The result is a real number.
jmaths.xyz · AI HL · AHL 6.2 Conjugates, division and equating parts