The complex number zz is such that az2+bz+a=0az^2 + bz + a = 0 where aa and bb are real constants. It is given that z=z0z = z_0 is a solution to this equation where Im(z0)≠0\mathrm{Im}(z_0) \ne 0. Take Im(z0)=12\mathrm{Im}(z_0)=\frac{1}{2} for the rest of the question.

  1. (i)

    Verify that z=1z0z = \dfrac{1}{z_0} is the other solution. Hence show that ∣z0∣=1|z_0| = 1.

  2. (ii)

    Find the possible complex numbers for z0z_0.

  3. (iii)

    If Re(z0)>0\mathrm{Re}(z_0)>0, find bb in terms of aa.

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Worked solution

3(i)

1. Verify $z = \dfrac{1}{z_0}$ is a solution by substituting it into the equation.

Substitute z=1z0z = \dfrac{1}{z_0} into the left-hand side of az2+bz+a=0az^2 + bz + a = 0:
a(1z0)2+b(1z0)+a=az02+bz0+aa\left(\frac{1}{z_0}\right)^2 + b\left(\frac{1}{z_0}\right) + a = \frac{a}{z_0^2} + \frac{b}{z_0} + a
=a+bz0+az02z02= \frac{a + bz_0 + az_0^2}{z_0^2}
Since z0z_0 is a given solution, az02+bz0+a=0az_0^2 + bz_0 + a = 0.
=0z02=0= \frac{0}{z_0^2} = 0
Thus, z=1z0z = \dfrac{1}{z_0} satisfies the equation and is the other solution.

2. Relate the verified other solution to the complex conjugate.

Since the coefficients aa and bb are real and Im(z0)≠0\mathrm{Im}(z_0) \neq 0, the roots of the quadratic equation must occur in complex conjugate pairs. Therefore, the other solution is z0∗z_0^*.
z0∗=1z0z_0^* = \frac{1}{z_0}

3. Evaluate the modulus to complete the proof.

Rearranging the equation gives:
z0z0∗=1z_0 z_0^* = 1
Using the property z0z0∗=∣z0∣2z_0 z_0^* = |z_0|^2:
∣z0∣2=1|z_0|^2 = 1
Since modulus is non-negative (∣z0∣>0|z_0| > 0), we have:
∣z0∣=1 (shown)|z_0| = 1 \text{ (shown)}

Answer

Shown

3(ii)

1. Set up an equation for the real part of $z_0$ using its modulus and given imaginary part.

Let z0=x+12iz_0 = x + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{i}, where x∈Rx \in \mathbb{R}.
From part (i), we know ∣z0∣=1|z_0| = 1.
∣x+12i∣=1|x + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{i}| = 1
x2+(12)2=12x^2 + \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = 1^2

2. Solve for the real part and state the possible values for $z_0$.

x2+14=1x^2 + \frac{1}{4} = 1
x2=34x^2 = \frac{3}{4}
x=±32x = \pm \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}
Therefore, the possible complex numbers are z0=32+12iz_0 = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{i} and z0=−32+12iz_0 = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{i}.

Answer

z0=32+12iz_0 = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{i} or z0=−32+12iz_0 = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\mathrm{i}

3(iii)

1. Determine the real part of $z_0$.

From part (i), we know ∣z0∣=1|z_0| = 1. Given that Im(z0)=12\mathrm{Im}(z_0) = \frac{1}{2}, we can find the real part:
(Re(z0))2+(12)2=∣z0∣2=1(\mathrm{Re}(z_0))^2 + \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = |z_0|^2 = 1
(Re(z0))2=1−14=34(\mathrm{Re}(z_0))^2 = 1 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{4}
Since it is given that Re(z0)>0\mathrm{Re}(z_0) > 0, we have:
Re(z0)=32\mathrm{Re}(z_0) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}

2. Apply the sum of roots formula to find $b$ in terms of $a$.

Since aa and bb are real coefficients, the non-real roots of the quadratic equation az2+bz+a=0az^2 + bz + a = 0 must occur in conjugate pairs. Thus, the roots are z0z_0 and z0∗z_0^*.
The sum of the roots is:
z0+z0∗=2Re(z0)=2(32)=3z_0 + z_0^* = 2\mathrm{Re}(z_0) = 2\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right) = \sqrt{3}
Using the coefficients of the quadratic equation, the sum of roots is also given by −ba-\frac{b}{a}.
Equating the two expressions:
−ba=3-\frac{b}{a} = \sqrt{3}
b=−3ab = -\sqrt{3}a

Answer

b=−3ab = -\sqrt{3}a

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