[Cambridge/9709/2009] The complex number is denoted by .
- (i)
Given that is a root of the equation , where is real, find the value of .
- (ii)
Write down the other complex root of this equation.
- (iii)
Find the modulus and argument of .
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Worked solution
Q5(i)
1. Substitute the root $u = -2 + i$ into the polynomial equation.
Since is a root of , it must satisfy the equation:
2. Expand the cubic term $(-2 + i)^3$ and simplify the equation.
Expanding using the binomial theorem (or by repeated multiplication):
3. Group the real and imaginary parts to solve for $k$.
Combining the real and imaginary terms:
Equating the real parts to zero:
Q5(ii)
1. Apply the conjugate root theorem to find the other complex root
Since the equation has real coefficients ( is real), its complex roots must occur in conjugate pairs.
The given root is .
The other complex root is its conjugate: .
Q5(iii)
1. Calculate the modulus of the complex number $u$.
2. Calculate the argument of the complex number $u$.
Since the real part is negative and the imaginary part is positive, lies in the second quadrant.
The basic angle rad.
rad (or )
, rad (or )
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