THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

MATH1013 University Mathematics II

Tutorial 2 Solutions

1. (a) The result is −z because 0 is the midpoint (average) of z and −z.

(b) The result is −z because it is the same as reflecting z about 0 (to −z) and then reflecting
about the real axis (to −z = −z).

(c) Equivalently, we need to swap the real part and the imaginary part of z. By proposition
2.1(d) and (e), the result is
z−z z+z −z + z z+z
Im(z) + Re(z)i = + i= i+ i = zi.
2i 2 2 2

2. (a) By the binomial expansion (or direct expansion), we have

(cos θ + i sin θ)5

= cos5 θ + 5 cos4 θ(i sin θ) + 10 cos3 θ(i sin θ)2 + 10 cos2 θ(i sin θ)3 + 5 cos θ(i sin θ)4
+ (i sin θ)5
= (cos5 θ − 10 cos3 θ sin2 θ + 5 cos θ sin4 θ) + i(5 cos4 θ sin θ − 10 cos2 θ sin3 θ + sin5 θ).

(b) By De Moivre’s theorem, we have (cos θ + i sin θ)5 = cos 5θ + i sin 5θ. We compare the real
parts of this and the expression found in part (a). This gives

cos 5θ = cos5 θ − 10 cos3 θ sin2 θ + 5 cos θ sin4 θ

= cos5 θ − 10 cos3 θ(1 − cos2 θ) + 5 cos θ(1 − cos2 θ)2
= 16 cos5 θ − 20 cos3 θ + 5 cos θ.

Remark. Similarly, by comparing the imaginary parts, we have

sin 5θ = 5 cos4 θ sin θ − 10 cos2 θ sin3 θ + sin5 θ

= 5(1 − sin2 θ)2 sin θ − 10(1 − sin2 θ) sin3 θ + sin5 θ
= 16 sin5 θ − 20 sin3 θ + 5 sin θ.

Using the same idea, one can show that cos nθ can be expressed as a polynomial of cos θ,
called the Chebyshev polynomial of the first kind. The Chebyshev polynomial of the
second kind is related to the expansion of sin nθ.

3. (a) Let z ′ be the resultant image. We perform a translation by the complex number −w
(which means adding −w to every number). The centre of rotation becomes w − w = 0,
while z becomes z − w. We rotate z − w about 0 by θ radians to obtain (z − w) cis θ
(proved in lecture). This should be the image of z ′ under the translation, which is z ′ − w.
Therefore, we have z ′ = (z − w) cis θ + w.

1
 Im

z′ − w
z−w
θ
Re
0
z′
z
θ

(b) Note that the length of the segment joining a and b is the same as the length of the segment
π
joining b and c. Also, the interior angle at b is . We first consider the configuration as
3
π
shown. In this case, a is obtained from c by a rotation of radians (anticlockwise) about
3
centre b. By part (a), we have
√ √ √
π 1 3 1 − 3i 1 + 3i
a = (c − b) cis + b = (c − b) ( + i) + b = b+ c.
3 2 2 2 2
√ √
2π −1 + 3i 2 −1 − 3i
Let ω = cis = be a cube root of unity. Then ω = , so that the above
3 2 2
2
relation becomes a + ωb + ω c = 0 as desired.

a c

π
3

b
Next, there is another configuration where b and c are interchanged.
√ √In this case, we
1 + 3i 1 − 3i
simply swap b and c in the above steps, and obtain a = b+ c. This time
√ 2 2 √
4π −1 − 3i −1 + 3i
we let ω = cis = be another cube root of unity. Then ω 2 = , and we
3 2 2
2
have a + ωb + ω c = 0.

4. (a)

Im
5i

Re
−5 5

−5i

2
 Let z = x + yi. Then the condition means ∣x∣ + ∣y∣ ⩽ 5. For the first quadrant, we have
x + y ⩽ 5. This is the region lying below the straight line x + y = 5. Therefore, it is
the triangle with vertices 0, 5, 5i. The parts in the other quadrants can be obtained by
reflecting this triangle about the imaginary axis and the real axis (which corresponds to
flipping the signs of x and y). Therefore, the resultant figure is a square with vertices
±5, ±5i.

z−1
(b) Recall arg = arg (z − 1) − arg (i − 1) (up to a difference of 2π). Analogous to a class-
i−1
work question, arg (z − 1) measures the angle from the positive real axis to the segment
joining z and 1, while arg (i − 1) measures the angle from the positive real axis to the seg-
ment joining i and 1. Thus, arg (z − 1) − arg (i − 1) measures the angle from the segment
joining i and 1 to the segment joining z and 1. In other words, z can be any point such
π
that this angle is . This gives a ray with endpoint 1 as shown. The point 1 may be
3
included or excluded.
Im

i
π
3
Re
1
z

(c) Firstly, ∣z − 1 − i∣ = 1 represents the circle Γ with centre 1 + i and radius 1. Secondly,
multiplying z by a complex number r cis θ means to multiply its modulus by r and rotate
√ π √
it about 0 by θ radians. As 1 + i = 2 cis , we need to enlarge Γ by a ratio of 2 and
4
π
rotate it about 0 by radians. Clearly, the result is still a circle. The new centre is the
4
image of the old centre√1 + i under
√ the same transformation, which is (1 + i)(1 + i) = 2i.
The new radius is (1)( 2) = 2.

Im

Re

5. (a) Let z = x + yi = Re(z) + Im(z)i. Since the equation of a straight line in the Cartesian
plane is of the form Ax + By = C, the corresponding equation in the Argand diagram is
A ⋅ Re(z) + B ⋅ Im(z) = C.

3
 By proposition 2.1(d) and (e), we have

A ⋅ Re(z) + B ⋅ Im(z) = C
z+z z−z
⇔ A⋅ +B⋅ =C
2 2i
⇔ A(z + z) − iB(z − z) = 2C
⇔ (A − iB)z + (A + iB)z − 2C = 0.

Therefore, the equation is of the form az + bz + c = 0 where a = A − iB, b = A + iB and

c = −2C.

(b) No. For example, consider the equation z + 2z + 1 = 0. Let z = x + yi. The equation
becomes x + yi + 2(x − yi) + 1 = 0, i.e. 3x + 1 − yi = 0. By comparing the real parts and
1
the imaginary parts, we must have 3x + 1 = 0 and −y = 0. This gives x = − and y = 0.
3
Therefore, the equation represents a single point instead of a straight line.

Additional problems:

6. (a) Since
zw + wz = z w + w z = zw + wz = zw + wz,
the imaginary part of zw + wz is 0 by proposition 2.1(e). So it is a real number. It may
not be a purely imaginary number (e.g. consider z = w = 1).

Remark. A complex number z is real if and only if z = z.

(b) Since
zw − wz = z w − w z = zw − wz = −(zw − wz),
the real part of zw − wz is 0 by proposition 2.1(d). So it is a purely imaginary number.
It may not be a real number (e.g. consider z = 1 and w = i).

Remark. A complex number z is purely imaginary if and only if z = −z.

(c) By proposition 2.2(e), we have

2
∣wz∣ wzwz wz wz
wz + = wz + = wz + = wz + wz.
wz wz wz
Since wz + wz = wz + wz = wz + wz, the given number must be real. It may not be a
purely imaginary number (e.g. consider z = w = 1).

√ √√
2 −1
7. (a) Let 3−i = r cis θ. Then we have r =3 + (−1)2 = 2 and tan θ = √ by proposition 2.3.
3
π
Since 3−i lies in the fourth quadrant of the Argand diagram, we have θ = tan−1 √ = − .
√ −1
3 6
By De Moivre’s theorem, we obtain
√ π 100 100π 4π √
( 3 − i)100 = (2 cis (− )) = 2100 cis (− ) = 2100 cis = −299 (1 + 3i).
6 6 3

4
 √ √
(b) Let 1 + i = r cis θ. Then we have r = (1)2 + (1)2 =
2 and tan θ = 1. Since 1 + i lies in the
π
first quadrant of the Argand diagram, we have θ = tan−1 1 = . By De Moivre’s theorem,
4
we obtain
√ π 1000
(1 + i)1000 = ( 2 cis ) = 2500 cis 250π = 2500 .
4
By the hint (with k = 1 + i), we deduce

(1 + i)1000 − 1
1 + (1 + i) + (1 + i)2 + ⋯ + (1 + i)999 =
(1 + i) − 1
2500 − 1
=
i
= −(2500 − 1)i.

Remark. The identity in the hint can be proved by verifying

(1 + k + k 2 + ⋯ + k n−1 )(k − 1) = k n − 1

via expansion.

(c) Using the hint of part (b), since ω ≠ 1, we have

ωn − 1
1 + ω + ω 2 + ⋯ + ω n−1 = .
ω−1
ωn − 1
By definition, we have ω n = 1. This implies = 0.
ω−1

8. (a) Let z = a + bi. Then

2 2
Re(z 2 ) + 2(Im(z)) = Re(a2 − b2 + 2abi) + 2b2 = a2 − b2 + 2b2 = a2 + b2 = ∣z∣ .

(b) By proposition 2.2(e), we have

2 2
∣w + z∣ + ∣w − z∣ = (w + z)(w + z) + (w − z)(w − z)
= (ww + wz + zw + zz) + (ww − wz − zw + zz)
= 2ww + 2zz
2 2
= 2 ∣w∣ + 2 ∣z∣ .

(c) By proposition 1.5(i) and (k), we have

θ θ θ θ θ
2 cos cis = 2 cos2 + 2i sin cos = (1 + cos θ) + i sin θ = cis θ + 1.
2 2 2 2 2
Alternatively, one can prove the identity as follows using Euler’s formula.
θ θ θ
cis θ + 1 = eiθ + 1 = ei 2 (ei 2 + e−i 2 ) = ei 2 (ei 2 + ei 2 ) = ei 2 (2 cos ) = 2 cos cis .
θ θ θ θ θ θ θ

2 2 2

5
9. (a) z can be any nonnegative real number

Let z = x + yi. Then we have

2 ∣z∣ = z + z
√
⇒ 2 x2 + y 2 = (x + yi) + (x − yi)
√
⇒ x2 + y 2 = x
⇒ x2 + y 2 = x2
⇒ y = 0.
Thus, z = x is a real number. Note that the checking step is needed since not all the above
steps are reversible. Indeed, when z is a real number, the original equation is the same
as 2 ∣z∣ = z + z = 2z i.e. ∣z∣ = z. This holds if and only if z is a nonnegative real number.

(b) the solutions are

ˆ z = 1 + yi where y ⩾ 0; or
y2 + 1
ˆ z= + yi where y ∈ (−∞, −1) ∪ [0, 1)
1 − y2
Let z = x + yi. Then we have
Re(z) ⋅ Im(z) = ∣z − 1∣
⇒ xy = ∣(x − 1) + yi∣
⇒ x y = (x − 1)2 + y 2
2 2

⇒ (x2 − 1)y 2 = (x − 1)2

⇒ (x − 1)(x + 1)y 2 = (x − 1)2 .
This yields x = 1 or (x + 1)y 2 = x − 1. The latter equation means y 2 + 1 = x(1 − y 2 ). Note
y2 + 1 y2 + 1
that y ≠ ±1, so this gives x = . In other words, we must have x = 1 or x = .
1 − y2 1 − y2
Again, not all steps are reversible as we have squared both sides of the equation. Indeed,
the equation xy = ∣(x − 1) + yi∣ only holds when xy ⩾ 0, so we have to reject the case
xy < 0. (Apart from this, all other steps are reversible.)

y2 + 1 y(y 2 + 1)
If x = 1, we need y ⩾ 0. If x = , we need ⩾ 0. Since y 2 + 1 > 0 always holds,
1 − y2 1 − y2
y
it is the same as ⩾ 0. This holds if and only if y < −1 or 0 ⩽ y < 1. This gives the
1 − y2
solutions as stated.

−2 cis 2kπ
5
(c) z =
1 + 2 cis 2kπ
5

2kπ
Let ωk = cis be a 5th root of unity where k = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. Similar to a classwork
5
question, we have
z 5 + 32(z + 1)5 = 0
⇔ z 5 = −32(z + 1)5
⇔ z 5 = [−2(z + 1)]5
⇔ z = −2(z + 1)ωk for some k

6
 ⇔ z = −2ωk z − 2ωk
⇔ z + 2ωk z = −2ωk
⇔ (1 + 2ωk )z = −2ωk
−2ωk
⇔ z= .
1 + 2ωk

10. (a) By Euler’s formula, we have

eiθ + e−iθ = (cos θ + i sin θ) + (cos (−θ) + i sin (−θ))
= (cos θ + i sin θ) + (cos θ − i sin θ)
= 2 cos θ.

(b) By part (a), we have

eiθ + e−iθ
5
cos5 θ = ( )
2
1
= (e5iθ + 5e3iθ + 10eiθ + 10e−iθ + 5e−3iθ + e−5iθ ) (by the binomial expansion)
32
1
= [(ei(5θ) + e−i(5θ) ) + 5(ei(3θ) + e−i(3θ) ) + 10(eiθ + e−iθ )]
32
1
= (2 cos 5θ + 10 cos 3θ + 20 cos θ)
32
1 5 5
= cos 5θ + cos 3θ + cos θ.
16 16 8
1 5 5
Therefore, a = , b = and c = .
16 16 8

1 √ 1
11. Let − √ + i = r cis θ. Then we have tan θ = − 3. Since − √ + i lies in the second quadrant
3 3
−1
√ 2π
of the Argand diagram, we have θ = tan (− 3) + π = . In view of the figure, we see that
3
π 1 2π
< arg z < arg (− √ + i) = .
2 3 3
4π
ˆ By De Moivre’s theorem, we have arg (z 2 ) = 2 arg z. Therefore, π < arg (z 2 ) < , which
3
means z 2 lies in the third quadrant.
3π
ˆ Similarly, we have arg (z 3 ) = 3 arg z, and hence < arg (z 3 ) < 2π. This means z 3 lies in
2
the fourth quadrant.

Im
z
i

Re
− √13 a

7
 1 2 1
12. (a) Let z = x+yi. Then the condition means x2 +y 2 ⩽ x. This is the same as (x − ) +y 2 ⩽ .
2 4
1 1 1
Therefore, the set is the closed disc with centre + 0i = and radius .
2 2 2
Im

Re

Remark. In mathematics, a disc means a circular region, while a circle only means the
boundary of a disc (without the interior part).

(b) The equation means the distance between z and 1 is equal to the distance between z and
3 − 2i. Therefore, it represents the perpendicular bisector of 1 and 3 − 2i.

Remark. One can work out more information about the perpendicular bisector as follows.
1 + (3 − 2i)
Firstly, it passes through the midpoint = 2−i of 1 and 3−2i. Secondly, since it
2
is perpendicular to the line in the direction (3−2i)−1 = 2−2i, it is parallel to the line in the
direction 1 + i (this requires some knowledge in coordinate geometry or vector geometry,
i.e. (a, −b) and (b, a) point in two perpendicular directions). Thus, the perpendicular
bisector is the line passing through 2 − i and 2 − i + (1 + i) = 3, for example.
Im

1
Re
2−i
3 − 2i

(c) Let z = x + yi. Then

z−i x + (y − 1)i [x + (y − 1)i][(x − 1) − yi]
0 = Re ( ) = Re ( ) = Re ( )
z−1 (x − 1) + yi [(x − 1) + yi][(x − 1) − yi]
[x(x − 1) + y(y − 1)] + (1 − x − y)i x(x − 1) + y(y − 1)
= Re ( 2 2
)= .
(x − 1) + y (x − 1)2 + y 2
1 2 1 2 1
This is the same as x(x − 1) + y(y − 1) = 0, i.e. (x − ) + (y − ) = . This gives a circle
2 2 2
1 1 1
with centre + i and radius √ .
2 2 2

8
13. (a) Let cis α, cis β and cis γ be the polar forms of a, b and c respectively. Since C is one of
the midpoints of the arc AB, we have γ − α = β − γ + 2nπ for some integer n. (Note that
α+β
it is not always true that γ = , as we cannot distinguish between the major arc and
2
the minor arc.) This implies 2γ = α + β + 2nπ, and hence

c2 = (cis γ)2 = cis 2γ = cis (α + β) = cis α cis β = ab.

Similarly, we have d2 = ab by symmetry (as the above proof does not specify whether the
major arc or the minor arc is used).

Im
C
B
A

β γ
Re
O α

D
π 2π
(b) It is easy to deduce a = cis and b = cis (although one should provide the details). By
4 3
part (a), c and d are the roots of the equation
π 2π 11π
z 2 = ab = cis ( + ) = cis .
4 3 12
By proposition 2.5, we know that
11π 35π
c, d = cis , cis .
24 24
Note that a lies in the first quadrant and b lies in the second quadrant. Therefore,
π 2π 11π 35π
< arg c < . This implies c = cis and d = cis .
4 3 24 24