Edexcel F1 2021 October — Question 4 7 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleF1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1)
Year2021
SessionOctober
Marks7
PaperDownload PDF ↗
TopicRoots of polynomials
TypeComplex roots with real coefficients
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a standard Further Maths question on complex conjugate roots with real coefficients. Part (a) requires immediate recall of the conjugate root theorem, part (b) involves routine expansion and coefficient comparison or substitution, and part (c) is straightforward plotting. While it's Further Maths content, it follows a completely standard template with no novel problem-solving required, making it slightly easier than average overall.
Spec4.02g Conjugate pairs: real coefficient polynomials4.02i Quadratic equations: with complex roots4.02k Argand diagrams: geometric interpretation

4. $$f ( z ) = 2 z ^ { 3 } - z ^ { 2 } + a z + b$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers. The complex number \(- 1 - 3 \mathrm { i }\) is a root of the equation \(\mathrm { f } ( \mathrm { z } ) = 0\)
  1. Write down another complex root of this equation.
  2. Determine the value of \(a\) and the value of \(b\).
  3. Show all the roots of the equation \(\mathrm { f } ( \mathrm { z } ) = 0\) on a single Argand diagram.
    VIIN SIHILNI III IM ION OCVIAV SIHI NI III HM ION OOVIAV SIHI NI III IM I ON OC

4.

$$f ( z ) = 2 z ^ { 3 } - z ^ { 2 } + a z + b$$

where $a$ and $b$ are integers.

The complex number $- 1 - 3 \mathrm { i }$ is a root of the equation $\mathrm { f } ( \mathrm { z } ) = 0$
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Write down another complex root of this equation.
\item Determine the value of $a$ and the value of $b$.
\item Show all the roots of the equation $\mathrm { f } ( \mathrm { z } ) = 0$ on a single Argand diagram.

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VIIN SIHILNI III IM ION OC & VIAV SIHI NI III HM ION OO & VIAV SIHI NI III IM I ON OC \\
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\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel F1 2021 Q4 [7]}}