Module 2 : Further Complex Numbers

Exercise 1: Roots of Complex Numbers

Solutions

3𝜋
1) a) If 𝑧 = 𝑒 4 𝑖 , for which values of 𝑛 is 𝑧 𝑛 = 1? Select all that apply from the list below:

3𝜋
For 𝑧 𝑛 = 1, 𝑛 × must be some integer multiple of 2𝜋
4

3𝜋 3𝜋 9𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
4× = 3𝜋, 6 × = ,8 × = 6𝜋 = 3 × 2𝜋, 12 × = 9𝜋, 16 × = 12𝜋 = 6 × 2𝜋,
4 4 2 4 4 4

3𝜋
24 × = 18𝜋 = 9 × 2𝜋
4

𝑛=4 𝑛=6 𝑛=8 𝑛 = 12 𝑛 = 16 𝑛 = 24

1 √3
b) If 𝑧 = − 2 + 𝑖, for which of the following values of 𝑛 is 𝑧 𝑛 = 1? Select all that apply from the list
2
below:

2𝜋
1 3 √3 2𝜋
|𝑧| = √ + = 1, arg(𝑧) = arctan (− ) = so, in exponential form 𝑧 = 𝑒 3 𝑖
4 4 1 3

2𝜋 4𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋 8𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋 16𝜋 2𝜋
2× = ,3 × = 2𝜋, 4 × = ,6× = 4𝜋, 8 × = ,9 × = 6𝜋
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

𝑛=2 𝑛=3 𝑛=4 𝑛=6 𝑛=8 𝑛=9

c)
 3𝜋 3𝜋
If 𝑧 = cos − 𝑖 sin , for which of the following values of 𝑛 is 𝑧 𝑛 = 1? Select all that apply from the
5 5
list below:

3𝜋
3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
𝑧 = cos − 𝑖 sin = cos (− ) + 𝑖 sin (− ) so, in exponential form 𝑧 = 𝑒 − 5 𝑖
5 5 5 5

This is not a multiple of 2𝜋 if 𝑛 is not a multiple of 5 so only 𝑛 = 5, 𝑛 = 10 and 𝑛 = 15 need to be

checked

3𝜋 3𝜋 3𝜋
5×− = −3𝜋, 10 × − = −6𝜋, 15 × − = −9𝜋
5 5 5

𝑛=3 𝑛=5 𝑛=7 𝑛 = 10 𝑛 = 15 𝑛 = 21

5𝜋
17𝜋 17𝜋
d) If 𝑧 = 𝑒 3 𝑖 and 𝑤 = cos − 𝑖 sin , for which of the following values of 𝑛 is (𝑧𝑤)𝑛 = 1? Select
12 12
all that apply from the list below:

17𝜋
17𝜋 17𝜋 17𝜋 17𝜋
𝑤 = cos − 𝑖 sin = cos (− ) + 𝑖 sin (− ) in exponential form 𝑤 = 𝑒 − 12 𝑖
12 12 12 12

5𝜋 17𝜋 5𝜋 17𝜋 20𝜋−17𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋

𝑧𝑤 = 𝑒 3 𝑖 × 𝑒 − 12 𝑖 = 𝑒 ( 3 − 12 )𝑖 = 𝑒 ( )𝑖
12 = 𝑒 12 𝑖 = 𝑒 4 𝑖

𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
4 × 4 = 𝜋, 6 × 4 = , 8 × 4 = 2𝜋, 8 × 4 = 2𝜋, 12 × 4 = 3𝜋, 16 × 4 = 4𝜋, 32 × 4 = 8𝜋
2

𝑛=4 𝑛=6 𝑛=8 𝑛 = 12 𝑛 = 16 𝑛 = 32

2) a) Which of the following is a solution to the equation 𝑧 6 = 1? Select all that apply from the list below:

(−1)6 = 1 so 1 is a solution.

2𝜋
1 √3 1 3 1 √3 √3 2𝜋
|− 2 + 𝑖| = √4 + 4 = 1, arg (− 2 + 𝑖) = arctan (− ) = in exponential form 𝑒 3 𝑖 .
2 2 1 3
2𝜋 1 √3
6× = 4𝜋 so − 2 + 𝑖 is a solution
3 2

3𝜋
3𝜋
6× = 9𝜋 so 𝑒 2 𝑖 is not a solution
2

𝜋
𝜋
6 × − = −2𝜋 so 𝑒 − 3 𝑖 is a solution
3

𝜋
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
cos 2 + 𝑖 sin 2 in exponential form 𝑒 2 𝑖 . 6 × 2 = 3𝜋 so cos 2 + 𝑖 sin 2 is not a solution

This could also be done by considering a regular hexagon centred on the origin with a vertex at 1 + 0𝑖

1 √3 3𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
−1 − + 𝑖 𝑒2𝑖 𝑒 −3 𝑖 cos
2
+ 𝑖 sin
2
2 2
b) Which of the following is a solution to the equation 𝑧12 = 1? Select all that apply from the list
below:

Drawing a regular dodecagon centred on the origin with a vertex at 1 + 0𝑖 shows that all of these are
solutions to 𝑧12 = 1:

1 √3 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 4𝜋 3𝜋
− + 𝑖 cos
2
+ 𝑖 sin
2 𝑒 6𝑖 𝑒3𝑖 𝑒2𝑖
2 2

c) Which of the following is a solution to the equation 𝑧 5 = 1? Select all that apply from the list below:

𝑖5 = 𝑖

(−1)5 = −1

2𝜋
5×− = −2𝜋
5

𝜋
5×5 =𝜋

(−𝑖)5 = −𝑖

2𝜋 𝜋
𝑖 −1 𝑒− 5 𝑖 𝑒 5𝑖 −𝑖
 d) Which of the following is a solution to the equation 𝑧 9 = 1? Select all that apply from the list below:

5𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋
9× = 15𝜋, 9 × = 6𝜋, 𝑖 9 = 𝑖, 9 × = 6𝜋, 9 × 𝜋 = 9𝜋
3 3 3

2𝜋 2𝜋 1 √3
Note that cos + 𝑖 sin = −2 + 𝑖 so both of these answers are the same solution.
3 3 2

5𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋 1 √3
𝑒3𝑖 cos + 𝑖 sin 𝑖 − + 𝑖 𝑒 𝜋𝑖
3 3 2 2

e) Which of the following is a solution to the equation 𝑧100 = 1? Select all that apply from the list
below:

𝑖 100 = (𝑖 4 )25 = 125 = 1

(−𝑖)100 = (−1)100 (𝑖 4 )25 = 125 = 1

4𝜋 4𝜋 4𝜋 4𝜋 4𝜋
cos − 𝑖 sin = cos (− ) + 𝑖 sin (− ). 100 × − = −80𝜋
5 5 5 5 5

3𝜋
100 × − = −60𝜋
5

7𝜋
100 × − 10 = −70𝜋

4𝜋 4𝜋 3𝜋 7𝜋
𝑖 −𝑖 cos − 𝑖 sin 𝑒− 5 𝑖 𝑒 − 10 𝑖
5 5

3) If 𝜔 is a complex cube root of unity, find the value of (1 + 𝜔)(1 + 𝜔2 )

(1 + 𝜔)(1 + 𝜔2 ) = 1 + 𝜔2 + 𝜔 + 𝜔3

Since 𝜔 is a complex cube root of unity 1 + 𝜔 + 𝜔2 = 0 and 𝜔3 = 1

Hence (1 + 𝜔)(1 + 𝜔2 ) = 1
4) Which of the following shows the complete set of solutions for which 𝑧 3 = (𝑖 − 𝑧)3?

𝑧 3
(𝑖−𝑧) = 1

2𝑘𝜋
𝑧 𝑖
=𝑒 3 for 𝑘 = 0, 1, 2
𝑖−𝑧

2𝑘𝜋
𝑖
𝑧 = (𝑖 − 𝑧)𝑒 3

2𝑘𝜋 2𝑘𝜋
𝑖 𝑖
𝑧 (1 + 𝑒 3 ) = 𝑖𝑒 3

𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋 2𝑘𝜋
𝑧𝑒 3 𝑖 (𝑒 − 3 𝑖 + 𝑒 3 𝑖 ) = 𝑖𝑒 3
𝑖

𝑘𝜋 2𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋
𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋
2𝑧𝑒 3 𝑖 cos = 𝑖𝑒 3
𝑖
since 𝑒 − 3 𝑖 + 𝑒 3 𝑖 = 2 cos
3 3

𝑘𝜋 𝑘𝜋
𝑘𝜋
2𝑧 cos = 𝑖𝑒 3 𝑖 dividing through by 𝑒 3 𝑖
3

1
𝑘 = 0: 2𝑧 cos 0 = 𝑖𝑒 0 so 𝑧 = 2 𝑖

𝜋
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 1 √3 √3 2 1 √3 1
𝑘 = 1: 2𝑧 cos 3 = 𝑖𝑒 3 𝑖 ⇔ 𝑧 = 𝑖 (cos 3 + 𝑖 sin 3 ) = 𝑖 (2 + 𝑖) = 𝑖 + 2𝑖 = − +2𝑖
2 2 2

2𝜋
2𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑘 = 2: 2𝑧 cos = 𝑖𝑒 3 𝑖 ⇔ −𝑧 = 𝑖 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
3 3 3
1 √3 √3 2 1 √3 1
𝑧= −𝑖 (− 2 + 2 𝑖) =− 𝑖 + 2𝑖 = +2𝑖
2 2

1 √3 1 √3 1
𝑧 = 𝑖, − + 𝑖, + 𝑖
2 2 2 2 2
1 √3 1 √3 1
𝑧 = − 𝑖, − − 𝑖, − 𝑖
2 2 2 2 2
√3 1 √3 1
𝑧 = 𝑖, − + 𝑖, + 𝑖
2 2 2 2
1 √3 1 √3
𝑧 = 1, + 𝑖, − 𝑖
2 2 2 2
1 √3 1 √3
𝑧 = 1, − + 𝑖, − − 𝑖
2 2 2 2
5) The solutions to the equation (𝑖 − 𝑧)5 = (𝑖𝑧 − 1)5 can be written in the form 𝑧 = tan 𝛼.
Which of the following gives the values of 𝛼 for all the possible solutions to the equation.

𝑖−𝑧 5
(𝑖𝑧−1) = 1

𝑖−𝑧 2𝑘
= 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 where 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 is a fifth root of unity i.e. 𝜃 = 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
𝑖𝑧−1 𝑛

𝑖 − 𝑧 = 𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑖𝜃 − 𝑒 𝑖𝜃

𝑖 + 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 = 𝑧(1 + 𝑖𝑒 𝑖𝜃 )

𝑖+𝑒 𝑖𝜃
𝑧 = 1+𝑖𝑒 𝑖𝜃

𝑖(1−𝑖𝑒 𝑖𝜃 )
𝑧= 1+𝑖𝑒 𝑖𝜃

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑖𝑒 𝑖𝜃 = 𝑒 2 𝑖 × 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 = 𝑒 ( 2 +𝜃)𝑖 since 𝑖 = 𝑒 2 𝑖

𝜋
( +𝜃)𝑖
𝑖(1−𝑒 2 )
𝑧= ( +𝜃)𝑖
𝜋
1+𝑒 2

𝜋 1 𝜋 𝜋 1 𝜋
1 𝜋 1 𝜋
Now, 1 − 𝑒 ( 2 +𝜃)𝑖 = −2𝑖𝑒 2( 2 +𝜃)𝑖 sin 2 (2 + 𝜃) and 1 + 𝑒 ( 2 +𝜃)𝑖 = 2𝑒 2( 2 +𝜃)𝑖 cos 2 ( 2 + 𝜃)

1 𝜋
( +𝜃)𝑖 1 𝜋 1 𝜋
𝑖×−2𝑖𝑒 2 2 sin ( +𝜃) sin ( +𝜃) 1 𝜋
2 2 2 2
𝑧= 1 𝜋
1 𝜋
= 1 𝜋 = tan 2 (2 + 𝜃)
( +𝜃)𝑖
2𝑒 2 2 cos ( +𝜃) cos ( +𝜃)
2 2
2 2

1 𝜋 1 𝜋 2𝑘 1 𝑘
Hence 𝛼 = 2 ( 2 + 𝜃) = 2 ( 2 + 𝜋 ) = (4 + 𝑛) 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
𝑛

1 2𝑘
𝛼 = (2 + ) 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
𝑛
2𝑘
𝛼= 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
𝑛
1 𝑘
𝛼 = (2 + 𝑛) 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
1 2𝑘
𝛼 = (4 + ) 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
𝑛
1 𝑘
𝛼 = (4 + 𝑛) 𝜋 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4
6) Find both square roots of −3 + 4𝑖, giving your answers in the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖. Give the answer with the
lowest principal argument first.

4
|−3 + 4𝑖| = √9 + 16 = 5, arg(−3 + 4𝑖) = π − arctan ( ) = 2.21 radians
3

4
In exponential form, −3 + 4𝑖 is 5𝑒 𝛼𝑖 where 𝛼 = π − arctan (3)

𝛼⁄ 𝑖 𝛼⁄ 𝑖 𝛼⁄ )𝑖
The square roots of −3 + 4𝑖 are therefore √5𝑒 2 and √5𝑒 2 × 𝑒 𝜋𝑖 = √5𝑒 (𝜋+ 2

𝛼⁄ 𝑖
√5𝑒 2 = √5(cos 𝛼⁄2 + 𝑖 sin 𝛼⁄2) = 1 + 2𝑖

𝛼⁄ )𝑖
√5𝑒 (𝜋+ 2 = √5(cos(𝜋 + 𝛼⁄2) + 𝑖 sin(𝜋 + 𝛼⁄2)) = −1 − 2𝑖

The principal argument of −1 − 2𝑖 is negative and will therefore be lower than the principal argument
of 1 + 2𝑖 (which is positive).

So the answers are −1 − 2𝑖 (𝑎 = −1, 𝑏 = −2) and 1 + 2𝑖 (𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2) in that order.

7) Find all three cube roots of 2 − 𝑖 giving your answers in the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are given
correct to two decimal places. Give your answers in order of their principal argument with the lowest
principal argument first.

1⁄ 1
|2 − 𝑖| = √4 + 1 = 5 2, arg(2 − 𝑖) = − arctan (2) = −0.4636 …

1⁄ 𝛼𝑖 1
In exponential form 2 − 𝑖 is 5 2𝑒 where 𝛼 = − arctan (2)

1⁄ 1⁄ 1⁄
1⁄ 3 𝛼 1⁄ 3 𝛼 2𝜋 1⁄ 3 𝛼 4𝜋⁄ 𝑖
The cube roots of 2 − 𝑖 are (5 ) 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖 ,
2 (5 ) 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖
2 × 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖 and (5 ) 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖
2 ×𝑒 3

1⁄
1⁄ 3 𝛼 1⁄ 𝛼⁄ 𝑖 1⁄
(5 ) 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖 =5 6𝑒 3 =5 6 (cos 𝛼⁄ 𝛼 th
3 + 𝑖 sin ⁄3) = 1.29 − 0.20𝑖 (4 quadrant)
2

1⁄ 1⁄ (𝛼+2𝜋)⁄
1⁄ 3 𝛼 2𝜋 1⁄ 3 1⁄ (𝛼 + 2𝜋)⁄ ) + 𝑖 sin ((𝛼 + 2𝜋)⁄ ))
(5 ) 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖
2 × 𝑒 ⁄3𝑖 = (5 ) 𝑒 (
2 3)𝑖 =5 6 (cos (
3 3
= −0.47 + 1.22𝑖 (2nd quadrant)

1⁄ 1⁄
1⁄ 3 𝛼⁄ 𝑖 4𝜋⁄ 𝑖 1⁄ 3 ((𝛼+4𝜋)⁄ )𝑖 1⁄ (𝛼 + 4𝜋)⁄ ) + 𝑖 sin ((𝛼 + 4𝜋)⁄ ))
(5 2) 𝑒 3 ×𝑒 3 = (5 2) 𝑒 3 =5 6 (cos (
3 3
= −0.82 − 1.02𝑖 (3rd quadrant)

In order of principal argument

−0.82 − 1.02𝑖 (𝑎 = −0.82, 𝑏 = −1.02), 1.29 − 0.20𝑖 (𝑎 = 1.29, 𝑏 = −0.20),
−0.47 + 1.22𝑖 (𝑎 = −0.47, 𝑏 = 1.22)
8) One fourth root of 𝑤 is 2 + 𝑖. Which of the following shows the other fourth roots of 𝑤?

The quickest method to answer this question is to remember that the roots are even spaced around a
circle with its centre at the origin and with a radius that is the 𝑛th root of the original complex number.
In this case the original number is not known but, as one of the roots is given, this is not a problem.

A quick sketch makes the answers fairly easy to find.

𝑧 = −1 − 2𝑖, −2 + 𝑖, 1 + 2𝑖

𝑧 = −1 − 2𝑖, −2 − 𝑖, 1 − 2𝑖

𝑧 = −1 + 2𝑖, −2 + 𝑖, 1 − 2𝑖

𝑧 = −1 + 2𝑖, −2 − 𝑖, 1 + 2𝑖

𝑧 = −1 + 2𝑖, −2 − 𝑖, 1 − 2𝑖
9) Which of the following show the positions of the five solutions of the equation (𝑧 − 4𝑖)5 = 243 on an
Argand diagram?

𝑧−4𝑖 5
Since 243 = 35 the equation can be written ( ) =1
3

2𝑘𝜋
𝑧−4𝑖 𝑖
=𝑒 5
3

2𝑘𝜋
𝑖
𝑧 − 4𝑖 = 3𝑒 5

2𝑘𝜋
𝑖
𝑧 = 4𝑖 + 3𝑒 5

𝑘 = 0, 𝑧 = 4𝑖 + 3𝑒 0 = 3 + 4𝑖

The roots will be equally spaced around a circle with centre 0 + 4𝑖 that passes through 3 + 4𝑖

The only diagram showing this is the second one.

10) The vertices 𝐻0 , 𝐻1 , 𝐻2 , 𝐻3 , 𝐻4 , 𝐻5 of a regular hexagon are represented on an Argand diagram by the
solutions to the equation (𝑧 − 1 − 2𝑖)6 = 64.

The complex number 𝑃 lies on the line from the centre of the hexagon, 𝐶, passing through 𝐻0 and is
such that the length 𝐶𝑃 is twice the length 𝐶𝐻0 and 𝑃 lies outside of the hexagon.

A diagram is required but before that is possible, the vertices need to be found by solving the equation.

𝑧−1−2𝑖 6
Since 64 = 26 the equation can be written ( ) =1
2

2𝑘𝜋
𝑧−1−2𝑖 𝑖
=𝑒 6 for 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4,5
2

𝑘𝜋
𝑧 − 1 − 2𝑖 = 2𝑒 3 𝑖

𝑘𝜋
𝑧 = 1 + 2𝑖 + 2𝑒 3 𝑖

These are the vertices of a regular hexagon with its vertices on the circumference of a circle of radius 2
and centre 0 + 0𝑖 translated by 1 + 2𝑖 i.e. 1 across and 2 up (i.e. a circle with centre (1,2) and radius
2).

Let vertex 𝐻0 be the solution when 𝑘 = 0 hence 𝐻0 is at the point 1 + 2𝑖 + 2𝑒 0 = 3 + 2𝑖

Since the centre of the hexagon is the same as the centre of the circle, the point 𝐶 is at 1 + 2𝑖 and the
point 𝑃 is at 5 + 2𝑖 (the length 𝐶𝑃 =4 units and the length 𝐶𝐻0 = 2 units and 𝑃 is outside the circle)

A diagram can be drawn from this information:

𝐻0 is at 3 + 2𝑖, 𝐻1 is at 2 + (2 + √3)𝑖, 𝐻2 is at 0 + (2 + √3)𝑖, 𝐻3 is at −1 + 2𝑖, 𝐻4 is at 0 + (2 − √3)𝑖

and 𝐻5 is at 2 + (2 − √3)𝑖
a) Find the value of 𝑃𝐻0 × 𝑃𝐻1 × 𝑃𝐻2 × 𝑃𝐻3 × 𝑃𝐻4 × 𝑃𝐻5 where 𝑃𝐻𝑛 is the distance between the
point 𝑃 and the point 𝐻𝑛 .

𝑃𝐻0 = |5 + 2𝑖 − (3 + 2𝑖)| = |2| = 2 (this was already known)

𝑃𝐻1 = |5 + 2𝑖 − (2 + (2 + √3)𝑖)| = |3 − √3 𝑖| = √9 + 3 = √12 = 2√3
𝑃𝐻2 = |5 + 2𝑖 − (0 + (2 + √3)𝑖)| = |5 − √3 𝑖| = √25 + 3 = √28 = 2√7
𝑃𝐻3 = |5 + 2𝑖 − (−1 + 2𝑖)| = |6| = 6
𝑃𝐻4 = |5 + 2𝑖 − (0 + (2 − √3)𝑖)| = |5 + √3 𝑖| = √25 + 3 = √28 = 2√7
𝑃𝐻5 = |5 + 2𝑖 − (2 + (2 − √3)𝑖)| = |3 + √3 𝑖| = √9 + 3 = √12 = 2√3

2 2
𝑃𝐻0 × 𝑃𝐻1 × 𝑃𝐻2 × 𝑃𝐻3 × 𝑃𝐻4 × 𝑃𝐻5 = 2 × 6 × (2√3) × (2√7) = 12 × 28 × 12 = 4032

b) Find the value of (𝑃𝐻0 )2 + (𝑃𝐻1 )2 + (𝑃𝐻2 )2 + (𝑃𝐻3 )2 + (𝑃𝐻4 )2 + (𝑃𝐻5 )2

(𝑃𝐻0 )2 + (𝑃𝐻1 )2 + (𝑃𝐻2 )2 + (𝑃𝐻3 )2 + (𝑃𝐻4 )2 + (𝑃𝐻5 )2 = 4 + 12 + 28 + 6 + 12 + 28 = 120

c) Find the value of 𝐻0 𝐻1 × 𝐻0 𝐻2 × 𝐻0 𝐻3 × 𝐻0 𝐻4 × 𝐻0 𝐻5

𝐻0 𝐻1 = 2
𝐻0 𝐻2 = |0 + (2 + √3)𝑖 − (3 + 2𝑖)| = |−3 + √3𝑖| = √9 + 3 = √12 = 2√3
𝐻0 𝐻3 = |−1 + 2𝑖 − (3 + 2𝑖)| = |−4| = 4
𝐻0 𝐻4 = 𝐻0 𝐻2 = 2√3
𝐻0 𝐻5 = 𝐻0 𝐻1 = 2

𝐻0 𝐻1 × 𝐻0 𝐻2 × 𝐻0 𝐻3 × 𝐻0 𝐻4 × 𝐻0 𝐻5 = 2 × 12 × 4 × 2 = 192