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Date May 2013 Marks available 9 Reference code 13M.1.hl.TZ2.13
Level HL only Paper 1 Time zone TZ2
Command term Express, Hence, and Show that Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

(i)     Express each of the complex numbers z1=3+i, z2=3+iz1=3+i, z2=3+i and z3=2iz3=2i in modulus-argument form.

(ii)     Hence show that the points in the complex plane representing z1z1, z2z2 and z3z3 form the vertices of an equilateral triangle.

(iii)     Show that z3n1+z3n2=2z3n3z3n1+z3n2=2z3n3 where nN.

[9]
a.

(i)     State the solutions of the equation z7=1 for zC, giving them in modulus-argument form.

(ii)     If w is the solution to z7=1 with least positive argument, determine the argument of 1 + w. Express your answer in terms of π.

(iii)     Show that z22zcos(2π7)+1 is a factor of the polynomial z71. State the two other quadratic factors with real coefficients.

[9]
b.

Markscheme

(i)     z1=2cis(π6), z2=2cis(5π6), z3=2cis(π2) or 2cis(3π2)     A1A1A1

Note: Accept modulus and argument given separately, or the use of exponential (Euler) form.

 

Note: Accept arguments given in rational degrees, except where exponential form is used.

 

(ii)     the points lie on a circle of radius 2 centre the origin     A1

differences are all 2π3(mod2π)     A1

points equally spaced triangle is equilateral     R1AG

Note: Accept an approach based on a clearly marked diagram.

 

(iii)     z3n1+z3n2=23ncis(nπ2)+23ncis(5nπ2)     M1

=2×23ncis(nπ2)     A1

2z3n3=2×23ncis(9nπ2)=2×23ncis(nπ2)     A1AG

[9 marks]

a.

(i)     attempt to obtain seven solutions in modulus argument form     M1

z=cis(2kπ7), k=0, 16     A1

 

(ii)     w has argument 2π7 and 1 + w has argument ϕ,

then tan(ϕ)=sin(2π7)1+cos(2π7)     M1

=2sin(π7)cos(π7)2cos2(π7)     A1

=tan(π7)ϕ=π7     A1

Note: Accept alternative approaches.

 

(iii)     since roots occur in conjugate pairs,     (R1)

z71 has a quadratic factor (zcis(2π7))×(zcis(2π7))     A1

=z22zcos(2π7)+1     AG

other quadratic factors are z22zcos(4π7)+1     A1

and z22zcos(6π7)+1     A1

[9 marks]

b.

Examiners report

(i) A disappointingly large number of candidates were unable to give the correct arguments for the three complex numbers. Such errors undermined their efforts to tackle parts (ii) and (iii).

a.

Many candidates were successful in part (i), but failed to capitalise on that – in particular, few used the fact that roots of z71=0 come in complex conjugate pairs.

b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 1 - Core: Algebra » 1.7 » Powers of complex numbers: de Moivre’s theorem.
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