Quadratic Equations & Complex Numbers

1. Key Concepts & Formulas

Complex Numbers
• A complex number is z = a + ib, where a, b are real numbers and i = sqrt(-1), so i^2 = -1.

• a = Re(z) (real part), b = Im(z) (imaginary part).

• Powers of i cycle with period 4: i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, i^3 = -i, i^4 = 1. In general i^(4k) = 1, i^(4k+1) = i, i^(4k+2)
= -1, i^(4k+3) = -i.

• Conjugate: if z = a + ib, then conjugate z-bar = a - ib. Properties: z + z-bar = 2Re(z), z - z-bar = 2i Im(z), z
* z-bar = a^2 + b^2 = |z|^2.

• Modulus: |z| = sqrt(a^2 + b^2). Properties: |z1*z2| = |z1|*|z2|, |z1/z2| = |z1|/|z2| (z2 not 0), |z1 + z2| <=
|z1| + |z2| (triangle inequality), |z1 - z2| >= ||z1| - |z2||.

• Argument (amplitude): theta = arg(z) = arctan(b/a), adjusted for the correct quadrant. Principal argument
lies in (-pi, pi].

• Polar (trigonometric) form: z = r(cos(theta) + i sin(theta)) = r * cis(theta), where r = |z|.

• Euler's form: z = r * e^(i*theta), where e^(i*theta) = cos(theta) + i sin(theta).

• Multiplication in polar form: r1*r2 * cis(theta1 + theta2). Division: (r1/r2) * cis(theta1 - theta2).

• De Moivre's Theorem: [cos(theta) + i sin(theta)]^n = cos(n*theta) + i sin(n*theta) for any integer n. Used
heavily for finding powers and roots of complex numbers.

• nth roots of unity: solutions of z^n = 1 are z = cos(2k*pi/n) + i sin(2k*pi/n), for k = 0, 1, ..., n-1. They lie on
the unit circle, form a regular n-gon, and their sum = 0 (for n >= 2); product = (-1)^(n-1).

• Cube roots of unity: 1, omega, omega^2 where omega = (-1 + i*sqrt(3))/2. Properties: 1 + omega +
omega^2 = 0, omega^3 = 1, omega-bar = omega^2.

• Square root of a complex number a + ib: found by assuming sqrt(a+ib) = x + iy, squaring and equating
real/imaginary parts, using x^2 + y^2 = sqrt(a^2+b^2).

• z lies on a circle |z - z0| = r; z equidistant from two points represents perpendicular bisector;
arg((z-z1)/(z-z2)) = constant represents an arc.

• Rotation: if z1, z2, z3 are vertices and angle at z1 is theta, then (z3 - z1)/(z2 - z1) = |z3-z1|/|z2-z1| *
(cos(theta) + i sin(theta)).

Quadratic Equations
• General form: ax^2 + bx + c = 0, a not equal to 0, a, b, c real (or complex, but JEE mainly tests real
coefficients).

• Roots (quadratic formula): x = [-b +/- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)] / (2a).

• Discriminant: D = b^2 - 4ac.

 • D > 0: two distinct real roots.

• D = 0: two equal real roots (repeated root), x = -b/(2a).

• D < 0: two complex conjugate roots.

• If a, b, c are rational and D is a perfect square (and D>0), roots are rational; otherwise irrational
conjugate surd pairs.

• Sum and product of roots: if roots are alpha, beta, then alpha + beta = -b/a, alpha * beta = c/a.

• Formation of quadratic equation from roots: x^2 - (sum of roots)x + (product of roots) = 0.

• Nature of roots for irrational/complex coefficients: irrational roots occur in conjugate pairs p +/- sqrt(q)
only when coefficients are rational; complex roots occur in conjugate pairs only when coefficients are real.

• Condition for common root(s): For a1x^2+b1x+c1=0 and a2x^2+b2x+c2=0,

• One common root: (a1c2 - a2c1)^2 = (b1c2 - b2c1)(a1b2 - a2b1).

• Both roots common: a1/a2 = b1/b2 = c1/c2.

• Symmetric functions of roots: alpha^2 + beta^2 = (alpha+beta)^2 - 2*alpha*beta; alpha^3 + beta^3 =

(alpha+beta)^3 - 3*alpha*beta(alpha+beta); |alpha - beta| = sqrt(D)/|a| = sqrt((alpha+beta)^2 -
4*alpha*beta).

• Sign of quadratic expression f(x) = ax^2+bx+c: if a > 0, f(x) > 0 outside the roots and f(x) < 0 between the
roots (when D>0); parabola opens upward. If a < 0, opposite. If D < 0, f(x) has the same sign as a for all
real x.

• Location of roots (important for JEE): for f(x) = ax^2+bx+c with a > 0,

• Both roots > k: D >= 0, f(k) > 0, -b/(2a) > k.

• Both roots < k: D >= 0, f(k) > 0, -b/(2a) < k.

• k lies between roots: a*f(k) < 0.

• Roots lie in interval (k1, k2): D >= 0, f(k1) > 0, f(k2) > 0, k1 < -b/(2a) < k2.

• Exactly one root in (k1, k2): f(k1)*f(k2) < 0.

• Maximum/minimum value of quadratic: vertex at x = -b/(2a); value = -D/(4a) = c - b^2/(4a). Minimum if a

> 0, maximum if a < 0.

• Wavy curve / sign scheme method used to solve rational and higher-degree inequalities by marking
roots on the number line.

• Equations reducible to quadratic: e.g., ax^4 + bx^2 + c = 0 (biquadratic, substitute y = x^2), or symmetric
equations solved via substitution t = x + 1/x.

• Relation between roots and coefficients extends to cubic/biquadratic (useful for JEE occasionally): for
ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=0 with roots alpha,beta,gamma: sum = -b/a, sum of products taken two at a time = c/a,
product = -d/a.

2. Worked Examples

Example 1. If the roots of x^2 - (a+1)x + a = 0 are real and one root is twice the other, find a.
Solution: Let roots be r and 2r. Sum = 3r = a+1, product = 2r^2 = a. From first, r = (a+1)/3. Substitute:
2(a+1)^2/9 = a => 2(a+1)^2 = 9a => 2a^2 + 4a + 2 = 9a => 2a^2 -5a+2=0 => a = [5 +/- sqrt(25-16)]/4 =
[5+/-3]/4 => a = 2 or a = 1/2.

Example 2. Find the value of k for which the equation x^2 - 2(k+1)x + k^2 = 0 has equal roots.

Solution: D = 0 => 4(k+1)^2 - 4k^2 = 0 => (k+1)^2 - k^2 = 0 => (2k+1)(1) = 0 (using a^2-b^2 factorization:
(k+1-k)(k+1+k)=0) => 1*(2k+1) = 0 => k = -1/2.

Example 3. If alpha, beta are roots of x^2 - 6x + 1 = 0, find the value of alpha^3 + beta^3.

Solution: alpha+beta = 6, alpha*beta = 1. alpha^3+beta^3 = (alpha+beta)^3 - 3*alpha*beta(alpha+beta) = 216

- 3(1)(6) = 216 - 18 = 198.

Example 4. Solve for x: x^4 - 5x^2 + 4 = 0.

Solution: Let y = x^2: y^2 -5y+4=0 => (y-1)(y-4)=0 => y=1 or y=4 => x^2=1 or x^2=4 => x = +/-1, +/-2.

Example 5. If z = 1 + i, find the modulus and argument of z, and hence write z in polar form. Also find z^10
using De Moivre's theorem.

Solution: |z| = sqrt(1^2+1^2) = sqrt(2). arg(z) = arctan(1/1) = pi/4 (first quadrant). Polar form: z =
sqrt(2)[cos(pi/4)+i sin(pi/4)]. z^10 = (sqrt(2))^10 [cos(10*pi/4) + i sin(10*pi/4)] = 2^5 [cos(5pi/2) + i sin(5pi/2)] =
32[cos(pi/2)+i sin(pi/2)] = 32[0 + i(1)] = 32i.

Example 6. If omega is a complex cube root of unity, find the value of (1 + omega - omega^2)(1 - omega +
omega^2).

Solution: Since 1+omega+omega^2=0, we have 1+omega = -omega^2, and 1+omega^2 = -omega. So

(1+omega-omega^2) = (-omega^2 - omega^2) = -2omega^2. And (1-omega+omega^2) = (-omega - omega) =
-2omega. Product = (-2omega^2)(-2omega) = 4*omega^3 = 4*1 = 4.

Example 7. Find the least positive integer n for which ((1+i)/(1-i))^n = 1.

Solution: (1+i)/(1-i) = (1+i)^2 / [(1-i)(1+i)] = (1+2i-1)/(1+1) = 2i/2 = i. So we need i^n = 1. Least positive n is 4.

Example 8. If the equation (m-2)x^2 - (8-2m)x - (8-3m) = 0 is a perfect square, find m.

Solution: For a perfect square trinomial a x^2+bx+c, D=0. a = m-2, b = -(8-2m) = 2m-8, c = -(8-3m) = 3m-8. D
= b^2-4ac = (2m-8)^2 - 4(m-2)(3m-8) = 0. (2m-8)^2 = 4m^2 -32m+64. 4(m-2)(3m-8) = 4(3m^2-8m-6m+16) =
4(3m^2-14m+16) = 12m^2-56m+64. So 4m^2-32m+64 - 12m^2+56m-64 = 0 => -8m^2+24m = 0 =>
-8m(m-3)=0 => m=0 or m=3. Check m=0: equation becomes -2x^2-8x-8=0, i.e., x^2+4x+4=0, i.e., (x+2)^2=0 --
a genuine perfect square. Check m=3: equation becomes x^2-2x+1=0, i.e., (x-1)^2=0 -- also a genuine perfect
square. Both m=0 and m=3 are valid answers.

3. Practice Questions

1. The roots of the equation 2x^2 - 5x + 3 = 0 are:

(a) real and equal (b) real and unequal (c) complex conjugate (d) irrational

2. If the sum of the roots of ax^2+bx+c=0 is equal to the sum of squares of their reciprocals, then a/c, b/a, c/b
are in:
 (a) AP (b) GP (c) HP (d) none of these

3. If one root of x^2+px+12=0 is 4, while the equation x^2+px+q=0 has equal roots, the value of q is:

(a) 49/4 (b) 4/49 (c) 4 (d) 1/4

4. The value of i^(1+3+5+...+(2n+1)) is:

(a) i (b) -i (c) 1 (d) depends on n

5. If z = x+iy satisfies |z-3i| = |z+3i|, the locus of z is:

(a) x-axis (b) y-axis (c) line y=x (d) circle

6. The number of real roots of the equation x^2 - 3|x| + 2 = 0 is:

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 4 (d) 0

7. If alpha and beta are the roots of x^2-p(x+1)-c=0, then (alpha+1)(beta+1) equals:

(a) c-1 (b) 1-c (c) c (d) c+1

8. The set of values of k for which x^2 - kx + k - 1 = 0 has both roots positive is:

(a) k>1 (b) k<1 (c) k>=1 (d) all real k

9. If the roots of ax^2+bx+c=0 are in the ratio 3:4, then:

(a) 12b^2=49ac (b) 12b^2=7ac (c) 7b^2=12ac (d) 49b^2=12ac

10. arg(z) + arg(z-bar), for z not a real number, equals (taking principal values, z not purely imaginary either...
standard result for z with z*z-bar>0):

(a) pi/2 (b) pi (c) 0 (d) depends on z

11. If |z1|=|z2|=...=|zn|=1, then |z1+z2+...+zn| equals |1/z1+1/z2+...+1/zn| because:

(a) this is always true by the property 1/z = z-bar for |z|=1 (b) never true (c) true only for n=2 (d) true only if
all zi equal

12. The number of solutions of z^2 + |z|^2 = 0 (z complex) is:

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) infinite (d) 0

13. If the equations x^2+bx+c=0 and x^2+cx+b=0 (b not equal c) have a common root, then b+c equals:

(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 2

14. If omega is a complex cube root of unity, the value of (1+omega)(1+omega^2) equals:

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) omega (d) -1

15. If p and q are the roots of x^2+px+q=0, then:

(a) p=1,q=-2 (b) p=0,q=1 (c) p=-2,q=0 (d) p=1,q=0

16. The complex number z satisfying |z+1|=|z-1| and arg(z-1) = 3*pi/4 is:

(a) 0 (b) 1+i (c) i (d) 1-i

17. If the difference of the roots of x^2-px+q=0 is 1, then p^2-4q equals:

(a) 1 (b) -1 (c) 0 (d) 2

18. The number of real values of x satisfying 2^(2x) - 2^(x+3) + 2^4 = 0 (a quadratic in 2^x) is:

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 4

19. If z1, z2 are complex numbers such that z1+z2 and z1*z2 are both real, then:

(a) z1 = z2 (b) z1 = z2-bar or both z1,z2 real (c) z1*z2=0 (d) none of these

20. If the roots of the equation x^2 - 2mx + m^2 - 1 = 0 lie strictly between -2 and 4, then m lies in:

(a) (-1,3) (b) (-1,1) (c) (1,3) (d) (-3,-1)

21. The modulus of the complex number z such that |z + 2 - i| = 1 and arg(z) = pi is:

(a) does not exist (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

22. The number of complex numbers z satisfying z^2 = z-bar (the conjugate of z) is:

(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 2 (d) infinite

4. Answer Key

1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (a) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (a) 10. (c) 11. (a)
12. (c) 13. (a) 14. (b) 15. (a) 16. (c) 17. (a) 18. (b) 19. (b) 20. (a) 21. (c)
22. (b)

Hints for hardest questions:

• Q9: Let roots be 3t,4t; use sum and product ratios to eliminate t and relate b^2 to ac.

• Q17: |alpha-beta|=1 means sqrt(p^2-4q)=1, so square both sides directly.

• Q20: Apply all three location-of-roots conditions (D>=0, f(-2)>0, f(4)>0, vertex between -2 and 4) for
a=1>0; the valid range is the intersection of all three.

• Q21: |z+2-i|=1 is a circle centered (-2,1) radius 1; arg(z)=pi restricts z to the negative real axis (y=0, x<0),
which touches the circle at exactly one point.
• Q22: Write z=x+iy, expand z^2=z-bar into real and imaginary equations, and solve the resulting system
(one branch gives y=0, the other gives x=-1/2).