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IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL · AHL 6: Complex Numbers · AHL 6.3
The complex plane and the modulus 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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The diagram shows the point that represents \(z = -5 + 4i\).
(a) Write down \(-z\) and mark it on a copy of the diagram.
- \(-z = 5 - 4i\), the point \((5, -4)\)
- A reflection of z through the origin.
(b) Write down \(z^*\) and mark it on the diagram.
- \(z^* = -5 - 4i\), the point \((-5, -4)\)
- A reflection of z in the real axis.
(c) Write down \(-z^*\) and mark it on the diagram. Describe the reflection that takes \(z\) to \(-z^*\).
- \(-z^* = 5 + 4i\), the point \((5, 4)\)
- The imaginary part is unchanged and the real part changes sign: a reflection in the imaginary axis.
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The diagram shows two points, R and S, on an Argand diagram.
(a) Write down the complex number represented by R.
- \(R \text{ is the point } (16, -12) \text{, so the number is } 16 - 12i\)
(b) Find \(|R|\).
- \(|R| = \sqrt{16^2 + (-12)^2} = 20\)
(c) S represents \(w\). Find \(|w|\) to 3 significant figures.
- \(w = 4 - 10i\)
- \(|w| = \sqrt{4^2 + (-10)^2} = \sqrt{116} = 10.8\)
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\(z = 6 - 8i\).
(a) Write down \(-z\) and say how its point is related to the point for \(z\).
- \(-z = -6 + 8i\)
- Both parts change sign: the point is the reflection of z through the origin.
(b) Write down \(z^*\) and say how its point is related to the point for \(z\).
- \(z^* = 6 + 8i\)
- Only the imaginary part changes sign: the reflection of z in the real axis.
(c) Find \(|z|\), \(|z^*|\) and \(|-z|\).
- \(|z| = \sqrt{6^2 + (-8)^2} = \sqrt{100} = 10\)
- The other two points are reflections of z, so they are the same distance from the origin.
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Find each modulus. Give an exact value if it is an integer, and otherwise give 3 significant figures.
(a) \(|15 + 8i|\)
- \(|15 + 8i| = \sqrt{15^2 + 8^2} = \sqrt{289} = 17\)
(b) \(|-4 + 6i|\)
- \(|-4 + 6i| = \sqrt{(-4)^2 + 6^2} = \sqrt{52} = 7.21\)
(c) \(|-7i|\)
- \(|-7i| = \sqrt{0^2 + (-7)^2} = \sqrt{49} = 7\)
In context
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Take the horizontal axis as real and the vertical axis as imaginary, with distances in millimetres. The tip of a robot arm moves from the origin to the point \(z = -15 + 8i\).
(a) Find the distance of the arm tip from the origin.
- \(|z| = \sqrt{(-15)^2 + 8^2} = 17\)
(b) A second arm tip is at \(-z\). Find the distance between the two arm tips.
- \(-z = 15 - 8i\)
- \(z - (-z) = 2z = -30 + 16i\)
- \(|-30 + 16i| = \sqrt{(-30)^2 + 16^2} = \sqrt{1156} = 34\)
Stretch
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\(z\) is a complex number with \(|z| = 13\) and \(\text{Re}(z) = 5\).
(a) Find the two possible complex numbers \(z\).
- \(z = 5 + iy\)
- \(|z| = \sqrt{5^2 + y^2} = 13\)
- \(25 + y^2 = 169,\quad y^2 = 144,\quad y = \pm 12\)
(b) How are the two points related on the Argand diagram?
- \(5 + 12i\) and \(5 - 12i\) have the same real part and opposite imaginary parts.
- So each is the conjugate of the other: a reflection in the real axis.
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The points that represent \(z = 4 + 7i\), \(z^*\), \(-z\) and \(-z^*\) are the corners of a rectangle on an Argand diagram.
(a) Find the width and height of the rectangle.
- \(z = 4 + 7i, \quad z^* = 4 - 7i\)
- The corners are \((4, 7)\), \((4, -7)\), \((-4, -7)\), \((-4, 7)\).
- Width \(= 2 \times 4 = 8\), height \(= 2 \times 7 = 14\).
(b) Find its perimeter and its area.
- \(\text{Perimeter} = 2(8 + 14) = 44\)
- \(\text{Area} = 8 \times 14 = 112\)
jmaths.xyz · AI HL · AHL 6.3 The complex plane and the modulus