If z1z_{1} and z2z_{2} both satisfy z+zˉ=2∣z−1∣arg⁡(z1−z2)=π4z+\bar{z}=2|z-1| \arg \left(z_{1}-z_{2}\right)=\frac{\pi}{4}, then find Im⁡(z1+z2)\operatorname{Im}\left(z_{1}+z_{2}\right).

Answer: Im⁡(z1+z2)=2\operatorname{Im}(z_1+z_2) = 2

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Simplify the given equation for z

Let z=x+iyz = x + iy. We substitute this into the given equation z+zˉ=2∣z−1∣z + \bar{z} = 2|z-1|. The term z+zˉz + \bar{z} simplifies to 2x2x, and ∣z−1∣|z-1| becomes ∣(x−1)+iy∣|(x-1) + iy|. This allows us to express the equation in terms of xx and yy.

Step 2: Solve for the locus of z

From the previous step, we have 2x=2(x−1)2+y22x = 2\sqrt{(x-1)^2 + y^2}. Dividing by 2 and squaring both sides gives x2=(x−1)2+y2x^2 = (x-1)^2 + y^2. Expanding (x−1)2(x-1)^2 and simplifying the equation will reveal the locus of zz.

Step 3: Identify the parabolic locus

Expanding the right side of the equation x2=(x−1)2+y2x^2 = (x-1)^2 + y^2 gives x2=x2−2x+1+y2x^2 = x^2 - 2x + 1 + y^2. The x2x^2 terms cancel out, leaving 0=−2x+1+y20 = -2x + 1 + y^2, which can be rearranged to y2=2x−1y^2 = 2x - 1. This is the equation of a parabola.

Step 4: Use the argument condition

Since both z1z_1 and z2z_2 lie on the parabola y2=2x−1y^2 = 2x - 1, let z1=x1+iy1z_1 = x_1 + iy_1 and z2=x2+iy2z_2 = x_2 + iy_2. The condition arg⁡(z1−z2)=π4\arg(z_1 - z_2) = \frac{\pi}{4} means that the slope of the line segment connecting z1z_1 and z2z_2 is tan⁡(π4)=1\tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) = 1. Therefore, y1−y2x1−x2=1\frac{y_1 - y_2}{x_1 - x_2} = 1, which implies y1−y2=x1−x2y_1 - y_2 = x_1 - x_2.

Step 5: Solve for the imaginary part of the sum

Subtracting the two parabolic equations, we get y12−y22=2(x1−x2)y_1^2 - y_2^2 = 2(x_1 - x_2). Factoring the left side gives (y1−y2)(y1+y2)=2(x1−x2)(y_1 - y_2)(y_1 + y_2) = 2(x_1 - x_2). Since y1−y2=x1−x2y_1 - y_2 = x_1 - x_2 and x1≠x2x_1 \neq x_2 (otherwise y1=y2y_1=y_2 and z1=z2z_1=z_2), we can divide by (x1−x2)(x_1 - x_2) to get y1+y2=2y_1 + y_2 = 2. The imaginary part of z1+z2z_1 + z_2 is Im⁡(z1+z2)=y1+y2\operatorname{Im}(z_1 + z_2) = y_1 + y_2.

More from this chapter

All Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations solutions →

Solve your own maths question free →