Argand diagrams Edexcel Core Pure 1

Argand diagrams are used to represent complex numbers. This representation allows us to see the effects of Example 6: Given that |𝑧𝑧 − 6 + 3𝑖𝑖| = 4, sketch the modulus of 𝑧𝑧 and find the maximum value of |𝑧𝑧| in the
different moduli and arguments, therefore giving us a new way of denoting complex numbers and allows us to interval (−𝜋𝜋, 𝜋𝜋).
solve equations and inequalities graphically using loci.
To find |𝑧𝑧| we need to find the length of the line
|𝑧𝑧 − (6 − 3𝑖𝑖)| = 4
connecting the origin and 𝑧𝑧, which can clearly be done |𝑧𝑧| = �32 + 42 = 5
Argand diagrams Put the loci equation into the form |𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧1 | = 𝑟𝑟. Thus, the loci of 𝑧𝑧 is a circle of radius 4, centred at (6, −3)
Argand diagrams look similar to Cartesian diagrams – these are the graphs that you are used to seeing, with an 𝑥𝑥 by Pythagoras’ theorem.
and 𝑦𝑦 axis. As you have seen in the previous chapter, complex numbers have real and imaginary parts. Argand To find arg 𝑧𝑧, we need to find the angle from the
diagrams have the real part of the complex number, denoted 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 on what would be the 𝑥𝑥 axis in a Cartesian positive real axis to the line connecting the origin and 𝑧𝑧. 4 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅

diagram, and the imaginary part, 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼, on the 𝑦𝑦 axis. Clearly the angle from the positive to the negative real arg 𝑧𝑧 = 𝜋𝜋 − (tan−1 )
3
𝑥𝑥
• The complex number 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 can be represented by the point 𝑃𝑃(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) or the vector �𝑦𝑦� axis is 𝜋𝜋 radians, so the angle we are looking for is 𝜋𝜋 − arg 𝑧𝑧 = 2.214 rad Sketch the loci. ⋅
(6, −3)

(the angle between the line and the negative real axis). 4
Example 1: Represent the complex numbers 𝑧𝑧1 = 3 + 2𝑖𝑖, 𝑧𝑧2 = −4 − 𝑖𝑖 and 𝑧𝑧3 = 3𝑖𝑖 on an Argand diagram
𝑦𝑦
It is important to make sure that you find the right angle for the argument- it is not always tan−1 . To ensure that the 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼

⋅
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝑥𝑥
correct angle is calculated, it is recommended to draw a quick sketch. As shown by the diagram above, the maximum The maximum value of |𝑧𝑧| is given by |𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂| + 𝑟𝑟

⋅
value of |𝑧𝑧| is the second intersection of the line |𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂| = �62 + (−3)2 = 3√5
The real part of each number tells us the horizontal Modulus-argument form of complex numbers from the origin through the centre of the circle, 𝐶𝐶. |𝑧𝑧|𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 4 + 3√5
position and the imaginary part tells us the vertical • For a complex number 𝑧𝑧 with |𝑧𝑧| = 𝑟𝑟 and arg 𝑧𝑧 = 𝜃𝜃, the modulus argument form of 𝑧𝑧 is

position, so 𝑧𝑧1 is represented by the point that is 3 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟(cos 𝜃𝜃 + 𝑖𝑖 sin 𝜃𝜃) Complex numbers can also be used to represent regions in the Argand diagram- make sure to pay attention to the

⋅
across and 2 up, shown by the red dot. 𝑧𝑧2 and 𝑧𝑧3 are 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 inequality signs and any set notation used
Example 4: Express the complex number 𝑤𝑤 = 2 − √5𝑖𝑖 in modulus-argument form
denoted by blue and green dots respectively. 𝜋𝜋
2 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
Example 7: Sketch the region represented by 0 < arg(𝑧𝑧 − 3 − 𝑖𝑖) ≤
3

𝜋𝜋 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
√5 Sketch the loci represented by arg(𝑧𝑧 − 3 − 𝑖𝑖) = and
Draw a sketch of the complex number on the diagram. 3
arg(𝑧𝑧 − 3 − 𝑖𝑖) = 0.
𝜋𝜋
• By using the vector of a complex number, the addition or subtraction of complex numbers can be shown on 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 Therefore, the region represented by 0 ≤ arg(𝑧𝑧 − 3 − 3
𝜋𝜋
the argand diagram 𝑖𝑖) ≤ is the shaded region between the two lines. (3,1)
3
Example 2: For 𝑧𝑧1 = 1 + 3𝑖𝑖, 𝑧𝑧2 = −2 + 𝑖𝑖, 𝑧𝑧3 = 2 − 𝑖𝑖 and 𝑧𝑧4 = 2𝑖𝑖, show 𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 and 𝑧𝑧3 − 𝑧𝑧4 on an Argand diagram.
𝑟𝑟 = �22 + (√5)2 = 3 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 Find the modulus, 𝑟𝑟, and the argument 𝜃𝜃.
√5
𝜃𝜃 = tan−1 ( ) = 0.841 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
For 𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 , plot the vectors of 𝑧𝑧1 and 𝑧𝑧2 on the Argand 𝑧𝑧1 2 However, the question asks for 0 < arg(𝑧𝑧 − 3 − 𝑖𝑖) ≤ ,
𝜋𝜋
Put into modulus-argument form. 𝑤𝑤 = 3(cos 0.841 + 𝑖𝑖 sin 0.841) 3
diagram. As with adding vectors, place them ‘nose-to- so the half line representing arg(𝑧𝑧 − 3 − 𝑖𝑖) = 0 should
𝜋𝜋
be dashed as the points where the argument is 0 are not
tail’ and notice that the resultant vector is the diagonal Multiplying and dividing complex numbers in modulus argument form is simple using certain results: 3
𝑧𝑧2 included.
• For any two complex numbers 𝑧𝑧1 and 𝑧𝑧2 : (3,1)
of the parallelogram formed. |𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 | = |𝑧𝑧1 ||𝑧𝑧2 |
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
arg(𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 ) = arg(𝑧𝑧1 ) + arg(𝑧𝑧2 )

𝑧𝑧1 |𝑧𝑧1 | Example 8: Sketch the region represented by {|𝑧𝑧 − 2 − 2𝑖𝑖| ≤ 2 ∩ |𝑧𝑧 − 0.5| < |𝑧𝑧 − 1.5|}
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 � �=
𝑧𝑧2 |𝑧𝑧2 |

𝑧𝑧1 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
arg � � = arg 𝑧𝑧1 − arg 𝑧𝑧2
𝑧𝑧2
Follow the same process for 𝑧𝑧3 − 𝑧𝑧4 , but plot 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅

⋅
𝑧𝑧3 (2,2)
4𝜋𝜋 4𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
−𝑧𝑧4 instead of 𝑧𝑧4 . Example 5: For 𝑧𝑧1 = 2(cos + 𝑖𝑖 sin ) and 𝑧𝑧2 = 4(cos + 𝑖𝑖 sin ), find 𝑤𝑤 = 𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 in the forms 𝑟𝑟(cos 𝜃𝜃 + 𝑖𝑖 sin 𝜃𝜃) and This question involves the regions |𝑧𝑧 − 2 − 2𝑖𝑖| ≤ 2 and
5 5 3 3
𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖. |𝑧𝑧 − 0.5| < |𝑧𝑧 − 1.5|. Sketch the regions on separate
-𝑧𝑧4
Use the rules for moduli and arguments to find the |𝑤𝑤| = 2 × 4 = 8 graphs.
𝑧𝑧3 − 𝑧𝑧4 modulus and argument of 𝑤𝑤 = 𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 . 4𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋 17𝜋𝜋
arg(𝑤𝑤) = + = |𝑧𝑧 − 2 − 2𝑖𝑖| ≤ 2 represents the interior and boundary 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
5 3 15
As −𝜋𝜋 ≤ 𝜃𝜃 ≤ 𝜋𝜋, arg(𝑤𝑤) = − .
13𝜋𝜋 line of the circle centred at 2 + 2𝑖𝑖 with radius 2.
15 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
As we have found the modulus and argument of 𝑤𝑤, it 13𝜋𝜋 13𝜋𝜋
𝑤𝑤 = 8(cos − + 𝑖𝑖 sin − ) |𝑧𝑧 − 1.5| < |𝑧𝑧 − 2.5| represents the region where the
can be put into the form 𝑟𝑟(cos 𝜃𝜃 + 𝑖𝑖 sin 𝜃𝜃). 15 15
real value is less than 2. All the points in this region are
Modulus and Argument To find 𝑤𝑤 in the form 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 without a graphical 2𝜋𝜋
2𝜋𝜋 closer to (1.5, 0) than (2.5, 0).
calculator, it can be helpful to draw a quick sketch and 𝑦𝑦 = −8 sin � � = −3.254
• The modulus of the complex number 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖, denoted |𝑧𝑧|, is the distance from the origin to the point 15
15
use trigonometry. As the angle between the positive real 8
represented by that number on an Argand diagram, and is given by |𝑧𝑧| = �𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2 . 2𝜋𝜋
axis and the line from the origin to the complex number 𝑥𝑥 = −8 cos � � = −7.308
• The argument of a complex number 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖, denoted arg 𝑧𝑧, is the angle −𝜋𝜋 ≤ 𝜃𝜃 ≤ 𝜋𝜋 between the −13𝜋𝜋 15
is , then the angle from the negative real axis to the
positive real axis and the line joining the point represented by 𝑧𝑧 to the origin. The argument satisfies 15
2𝜋𝜋 2 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑦𝑦
tan 𝜃𝜃 = . line is . Otherwise, simply put the expression in a
𝑥𝑥 15 So 𝑤𝑤 = −7.308 − 3.254𝑖𝑖
Example 3: Find the modulus and argument of the complex number 𝑧𝑧 = −3 + 4𝑖𝑖 graphical calculator or use known trig expressions to
simplify. 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼
𝑧𝑧 = −3 + 4𝑖𝑖

Loci and regions in the Argand diagram

• Complex numbers can be used to represent a locus of points on an Argand diagrams The ′ ∩ ′ symbol is an intersection symbol- we are
Mark the point represented by 𝑧𝑧 and draw the line 4
• Given a complex number 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖, the locus of a points 𝑧𝑧 on an Argand diagram such that |𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧1 | = 𝑟𝑟, is looking for the set of points that satisfy |𝑧𝑧 − 2 − 2𝑖𝑖| ≤ 2
connecting 𝑧𝑧 to the origin. a circle with centre (𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) and radius 𝑟𝑟. AND |𝑧𝑧 − 1.5| < |𝑧𝑧 − 2.5|.
• Given two complex numbers 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑥𝑥1 + 𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦1 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑖𝑖𝑦𝑦2 , the locus of points 𝑧𝑧 on an Argand diagram
3 such that 𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧1 | = |𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧2 | is the perpendicular bisector of the segment of line joining 𝑧𝑧1 and 𝑧𝑧2
• Given 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖, the locus of points 𝑧𝑧 such that arg(𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧1 ) = 𝜃𝜃 is a half-line (a line from but not including
continued  𝑧𝑧1 that extends infinitely) that makes an angle 𝜃𝜃 with a line from 𝑧𝑧1 that is parallel to the real axis.
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅

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