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Complex Numbers AA HL

The document outlines a complex numbers examination with various questions related to polynomial equations of degrees 3 and 4, including conditions for real and complex roots. It covers topics such as root relationships, polynomial expansions, and specific equations with given parameters. The document also includes tasks involving Argand diagrams, de Moivre's theorem, and finding integer roots, culminating in a comprehensive assessment of complex number concepts.

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68 views20 pages

Complex Numbers AA HL

The document outlines a complex numbers examination with various questions related to polynomial equations of degrees 3 and 4, including conditions for real and complex roots. It covers topics such as root relationships, polynomial expansions, and specific equations with given parameters. The document also includes tasks involving Argand diagrams, de Moivre's theorem, and finding integer roots, culminating in a comprehensive assessment of complex number concepts.

Uploaded by

kivwinpnwdcwindxrz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Complex Numbers AA HL [114 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 27]


This question asks you to investigate conditions for the existence of complex
roots of polynomial equations of degree 3 and 4.

The cubic equation x3 + px2 + qx + r = 0, where p, q, r ∈ R, has

roots α, β and γ .

Consider the equation x3 − 7x2 + qx + 1 = 0, where q ∈ R.

Noah believes that if p2 ≥ 3q then α, β and γ are all real.

Now consider polynomial equations of degree 4.

The equation x4 + px3 + qx2 + rx + s = 0, where p, q, r, s ∈ R,

has roots α, β, γ and δ.

In a similar way to the cubic equation, it can be shown that:

p = −(α + β + γ + δ)

q = αβ + αγ + αδ + βγ + βδ + γδ

r = −(αβγ + αβδ + αγδ + βγδ)

s = αβγδ.

The equation x + 22x − 12 = 0, has one integer root.


4 3 2
− 9x + 24x

(a) By expanding (x − α)(x − β)(x − γ) show that:

p = −(α + β + γ)

q = αβ + βγ + γα
r = −αβγ .
[3]

(b) Show that p2 − 2q = α


2 2
+ β + γ .
2
[3]

(c) Hence show that


2 2 2
(α − β) + (β − γ) + (γ − α)
2
= 2p − 6q. [3]
(d) Given that p2 < 3q, deduce that α, β and γ cannot all be
real. [2]

(e) Using the result from part (c), show that when q = 17, this

equation has at least one complex root. [2]


(f ) By varying the value of q in the equation
+ qx + 1 = 0, determine the smallest positive
3 2
x − 7x

integer value of q required to show that Noah is incorrect. [2]

(g) Explain why the equation will have at least one real root for all
values of q. [1]

(h) Find an expression for α2 + β2 + γ 2 + δ2 in terms of p and


q. [3]
(i) Hence state a condition in terms of p and q that would imply
+ rx + s = 0 has at least one complex
4 3 2
x + px + qx

root. [1]

(j) Use your result from part (f )(ii) to show that the equation
− 4x + 5 = 0 has at least one complex
4 3 2
x − 2x + 3x

root. [1]

(k) State what the result in part (f )(ii) tells us when considering this
equation x4 − 9x3 + 24x2 + 22x − 12 = 0. [1]

(l) Write down the integer root of this equation. [1]

(m) By writing x4 − 9x3 + 24x2 + 22x − 12 as a product of


one linear and one cubic factor, prove that the equation has at
least one complex root. [4]
2. [Maximum mark: 22]
3
Consider the equation (z − 1) = i, z ∈ C. The roots of this equation are
ω1, ω2 and ω3, where Im(ω2) > 0 and Im(ω3) < 0.

The roots ω1, ω2 and ω3 are represented by the points A, B and C respectively
on an Argand diagram.

3
Consider the equation (z − 1) = iz , z ∈ C.
3

π
(a) Verify that ω1 i
= 1 + e 6
is a root of this equation. [2]
(b) Find ω2 and ω3, expressing these in the form a + eiθ, where
a ∈ R and θ > 0. [4]

(c) Plot the points A, B and C on an Argand diagram. [4]


(d) Find AC. [3]

(e) By using de Moivre’s theorem, show that α =


1
π
is a root
i
1−e 6

of this equation. [3]


(f ) Determine the value of Re(α). [6]
3. [Maximum mark: 8]
Consider the quartic equation
+ 80z + 400 = 0, z ∈ C.
4 3 2
z + 4z + 8z

Two of the roots of this equation are a + bi and b + ai, where


a, b ∈ Z.

Find the possible values of a. [8]


4. [Maximum mark: 7]
Consider the equation z4 = −4, where z ∈ C.

(a) Solve the equation, giving the solutions in the form a + ib,
where a, b ∈ R. [5]

(b) The solutions form the vertices of a polygon in the complex


plane. Find the area of the polygon. [2]
5. [Maximum mark: 6]
Let P (z) = az
3
− 37z
2
+ 66z − 10, where z ∈ C and a ∈ Z.

One of the roots of P (z) = 0 is 3 + i. Find the value of a. [6]


6. [Maximum mark: 17]
Consider the equation x5 − 3x4 + mx3 + nx2 + px + q = 0, where m,

n, p, q ∈ R.

The equation has three distinct real roots which can be written as log2 a, log2 b
and log2 c.

The equation also has two imaginary roots, one of which is di where d ∈ R.

The values a, b, and c are consecutive terms in a geometric sequence.


(a) Show that abc = 8. [5]

(b) Show that one of the real roots is equal to 1. [3]


(c) Given that q = 8d
2
, find the other two real roots. [9]

7. [Maximum mark: 7]
(a) Find the roots of the equation w3 = 8i, w ∈ C. Give your

answers in Cartesian form. [4]


(b) One of the roots w1 satisfies the condition Re (w1) = 0.

Given that w1 =
z

z−i
, express z in the form a + bi, where a,
b ∈ Q. [3]

8. [Maximum mark: 7]
Consider the equation z4 + az3 + bz2 + cz + d = 0, where a, b,

c, d ∈ R and z ∈ C.
Two of the roots of the equation are log26 and i√3 and the sum of all
the roots is 3 + log23.
[7]
Show that 6a + d + 12 = 0.

9. [Maximum mark: 7]
Determine the roots of the equation (z + 2i)3 = 216i, z ∈ C,

giving the answers in the form z = a√ 3 + bi where a, b ∈ Z. [7]


10. [Maximum mark: 6]
z1
Consider the complex numbers z1 = 1 + √ 3i, z2 = 1 + i and w =
z2
.

(a) By expressing z1 and z2 in modulus-argument form write


down the modulus of w; [3]

(b) By expressing z1 and z2 in modulus-argument form write


down the argument of w. [1]

(c) Find the smallest positive integer value of n, such that wn is a


real number. [2]
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2025

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