SPS SPS FM Pure 2026 November — Question 6 10 marks

Exam BoardSPS
ModuleSPS FM Pure (SPS FM Pure)
Year2026
SessionNovember
Marks10
TopicComplex Numbers Argand & Loci
TypeOptimization of modulus on loci
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward Further Maths complex numbers question requiring systematic application of standard techniques: using conditions to set up simultaneous equations (part i), sketching circles on an Argand diagram (part ii-a), and finding min/max distances between two circles (part ii-b). All steps are routine with no novel insight required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec4.02a Complex numbers: real/imaginary parts, modulus, argument4.02k Argand diagrams: geometric interpretation4.02o Loci in Argand diagram: circles, half-lines

  1. \(z_1 = a + bi\) and \(z_2 = c + di\) where \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\) are real constants. Given that
    • \(b > d\)
    • \(z_1 + z_2\) is real
    • \(|z_1| = \sqrt{13}\)
    • \(|z_2| = 5\)
    • \(\text{Re}(z_2 - z_1) = 2\)
    show that \(a = 2\) and determine the value of each of \(b\), \(c\) and \(d\) [5]
    1. On the same Argand diagram
      showing the coordinates of any points of intersection with the axes. [2]
    2. Determine the range of possible values of \(|z - w|\) [3]

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item $z_1 = a + bi$ and $z_2 = c + di$

where $a$, $b$, $c$ and $d$ are real constants.

Given that
\begin{itemize}
\item $b > d$
\item $z_1 + z_2$ is real
\item $|z_1| = \sqrt{13}$
\item $|z_2| = 5$
\item $\text{Re}(z_2 - z_1) = 2$
\end{itemize}

show that $a = 2$ and determine the value of each of $b$, $c$ and $d$ [5]

\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item On the same Argand diagram
\begin{itemize}
\item sketch the locus of points $z$ which satisfy $|z - 12| = 7$
\item sketch the locus of points $w$ which satisfy $|w - 5i| = 4$
\end{itemize}

showing the coordinates of any points of intersection with the axes. [2]

\item Determine the range of possible values of $|z - w|$ [3]
\end{enumerate}
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{SPS SPS FM Pure 2026 Q6 [10]}}