THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
MATH1013 University Mathematics II
Tutorial 2
1. We perform each of the following transformations in the Argand diagram. Express the result
in terms of the complex number z and its conjugate.
(a) the reflection of z about 0
(b) the reflection of z about the imaginary axis
(c) the reflection of z about the line that passes through all points with equal real part and
imaginary part
2. (a) Expand (cos θ + i sin θ)5 and express the answer in terms of cos θ and sin θ.
(b) Hence or otherwise, find a formula for cos 5θ in terms of cos θ.
3. (a) Let z and w be distinct complex numbers. If we rotate z about w in the Argand diagram
by θ radians in the anticlockwise direction, what is the resultant image?
(b) Let a, b, c be the complex numbers represented by the vertices of an equilateral triangle
in the Argand diagram. Prove that a + ωb + ω 2 c = 0, where ω is a cube root of unity.
4. In each of the following, describe the geometric meaning of the set of points in the Argand
diagram.
(a) the set of all z ∈ C such that ∣Re(z)∣ + ∣Im(z)∣ ⩽ 5
z−1 π
(b) the set of all z ∈ C such that arg =
i−1 3
(c) the set of all complex numbers of the form (1 + i)z where ∣z − 1 − i∣ = 1
5. (a) Show that every straight line in the Argand diagram can be represented by an equation
of the form az + bz + c = 0 where a, b, c are (complex) constants. (Hint: Every straight line
in the Cartesian plane has an equation of the form Ax + By = C where (A, B) ≠ (0, 0).)
(b) Let a, b, c be nonzero constant complex numbers. Is it true that az + bz + c = 0 always
represents a straight line in the Argand diagram?
Additional problems:
6. Let z and w be nonzero complex numbers. Determine whether each of the following must be
a real number or a purely imaginary number.
(a) zw + wz
(b) zw − wz
2
∣wz∣
(c) wz +
wz
1
7. Compute each of the following.
√
(a) ( 3 − i)100
kn − 1
(b) 1 + (1 + i) + (1 + i)2 + ⋯ + (1 + i)999 (Hint: 1 + k + k 2 + ⋯ + k n−1 = for any k ≠ 1)
k−1
(c) 1 + ω + ω 2 + ⋯ + ω n−1 where ω is an nth root of unity different from 1
8. Prove the following identities.
2 2
(a) Re(z 2 ) + 2(Im(z)) = ∣z∣ for all z ∈ C
2 2 2 2
(b) 2 ∣w∣ + 2 ∣z∣ = ∣w + z∣ + ∣w − z∣ for all w, z ∈ C
θ θ
(c) cis θ + 1 = 2 cos cis for all θ ∈ R
2 2
9. Solve each of the following equations in complex numbers.
(a) 2 ∣z∣ = z + z
(b) Re(z) ⋅ Im(z) = ∣z − 1∣
(c) z 5 + 32(z + 1)5 = 0
10. (a) Show that eiθ + e−iθ = 2 cos θ for any θ ∈ R.
(b) Using (a) or otherwise, find the values of a, b, c such that
cos5 θ = a cos 5θ + b cos 3θ + c cos θ.
1
11. Let a be a real number satisfying − √ < a < 0, and let z = a + i. In which quadrants do z 2
3
and z 3 lie?
12. In each of the following, describe the geometric meaning of the set of points in the Argand
diagram.
2
(a) the set of all z ∈ C such that ∣z∣ ⩽ Re(z)
(b) the set of all z ∈ C such that ∣z − 1∣ = ∣z − 3 + 2i∣
z−i
(c) the set of all z ∈ C such that Re ( )=0
z−1
13. Let A and B be two points on the unit circle ∣z∣ = 1 in the Argand diagram. Let C and D be
the midpoints of the minor arc and the major arc of AB on the unit circle. Denote by a, b, c, d
the complex numbers representing A, B, C, D respectively.
(a) Show that c2 = d2 = ab. (Hint: Use the polar form.)
√
1 1 1 3
(b) Suppose a = √ + √ i and b = − + i. Find c and d.
2 2 2 2
