Complex number arithmetic and simplification

A question is this type if and only if it asks to perform operations (multiplication, division, powers) on complex numbers and simplify to a specific form, without solving equations.

27 questions · Standard +0.3

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE P3 2003 June Q5
8 marks Standard +0.3
5 The complex number 2 i is denoted by \(u\). The complex number with modulus 1 and argument \(\frac { 2 } { 3 } \pi\) is denoted by \(w\).
  1. Find in the form \(x + \mathrm { i } y\), where \(x\) and \(y\) are real, the complex numbers \(w , u w\) and \(\frac { u } { w }\).
  2. Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points \(U , A\) and \(B\) representing the complex numbers \(u\), \(u w\) and \(\frac { u } { w }\) respectively.
  3. Prove that triangle \(U A B\) is equilateral.
CAIE P3 2022 June Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 The complex number \(u\) is defined by \(u = \frac { \sqrt { 2 } - a \sqrt { 2 } \mathrm { i } } { 1 + 2 \mathrm { i } }\), where \(a\) is a positive integer.
  1. Express \(u\) in terms of \(a\), in the form \(x + \mathrm { i } y\), where \(x\) and \(y\) are real and exact.
    It is now given that \(a = 3\).
  2. Express \(u\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\), giving the exact values of \(r\) and \(\theta\).
  3. Using your answer to part (b), find the two square roots of \(u\). Give your answers in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\), giving the exact values of \(r\) and \(\theta\).
CAIE P3 2024 March Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3 It is given that \(z = - \sqrt { 3 } + \mathrm { i }\).
  1. Express \(z ^ { 2 }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\).
  2. The complex number \(\omega\) is such that \(z ^ { 2 } \omega\) is real and \(\left| \frac { z ^ { 2 } } { \omega } \right| = 12\). Find the two possible values of \(\omega\), giving your answers in the form \(R \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \alpha }\), where \(R > 0\) and \(- \pi < \alpha \leqslant \pi\).
CAIE P3 2022 November Q5
4 marks Moderate -0.3
5 The complex numbers \(u\) and \(w\) are defined by \(u = 2 \mathrm { e } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 4 } \pi \mathrm { i } }\) and \(w = 3 \mathrm { e } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi \mathrm { i } }\).
  1. Find \(\frac { u ^ { 2 } } { w }\), giving your answer in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). Give the exact values of \(r\) and \(\theta\).
  2. State the least positive integer \(n\) such that both \(\operatorname { Im } w ^ { n } = 0\) and \(\operatorname { Re } w ^ { n } > 0\).
Edexcel F2 2024 January Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2. $$z = 6 - 6 \sqrt { 3 } i$$
    1. Determine the modulus of \(z\)
    2. Show that the argument of \(z\) is \(- \frac { \pi } { 3 }\) Using de Moivre's theorem, and making your method clear,
  1. determine, in simplest form, \(z ^ { 4 }\)
  2. Determine the values of \(w\) such that \(w ^ { 2 } = z\), giving your answers in the form \(a + \mathrm { i } b\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers.
Edexcel FP2 2003 June Q9
3 marks Moderate -0.8
9. $$z = 4 \left( \cos \frac { \pi } { 4 } + i \sin \frac { \pi } { 4 } \right) , \text { and } \boldsymbol { w } = 3 \left( \cos \frac { 2 \pi } { 3 } + i \sin \frac { 2 \pi } { 3 } \right)$$ Express zw in the form \(r ( \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta ) , r > 0 , - \pi < \theta < \pi\).
Edexcel FP2 2003 June Q14
14 marks Standard +0.3
14. (a) Find the value of \(\lambda\) for which \(\lambda x \cos 3 x\) is a particular integral of the differential equation $$\frac { d ^ { 2 } y } { d x ^ { 2 } } + 9 y = - 12 \sin 3 x$$ (b) Hence find the general solution of this differential equation.(4) The particular solution of the differential equation for which \(\boldsymbol { y } = \mathbf { 1 }\) and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = \mathbf { 2 }\) at \(\boldsymbol { x } = \mathbf { 0 }\), is \(\boldsymbol { y } = \mathbf { g } ( \boldsymbol { x } )\).
(c) Find \(\mathrm { g } ( x )\).
(d) Sketch the graph of \(y = g ( x ) , 0 \leq x \leq \pi\).
(2) \section*{15.} \section*{Figure 1} Figure 1 shows a sketch of the cardioid \(C\) with equation \(r = a ( 1 + \cos \theta ) , - \pi < \theta \leq \pi\). Also shown are the tangents to \(C\) that are parallel and perpendicular to the initial line. These tangents form a rectangle WXYZ. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{141c7b1b-4236-4433-84af-04fa9baa3d96-5_407_782_315_1142}
(a) Find the area of the finite region, shaded in Fig. 1, bounded by the curve \(C\).
(b) Find the polar coordinates of the points \(A\) and \(B\) where \(W Z\) touches the curve \(C\).
(c) Hence find the length of \(W X\). Given that the length of \(\boldsymbol { W } \boldsymbol { Z }\) is \(\frac { 3 \sqrt { 3 } a } { 2 }\),
(d) find the area of the rectangle \(W X Y Z\). A heart-shape is modelled by the cardioid \(C\), where \(\boldsymbol { a } = \mathbf { 1 0 ~ c m }\). The heart shape is cut from the rectangular card WXYZ, shown in Fig. 1.
(e) Find a numerical value for the area of card wasted in making this heart shape.
8. A transformation \(T\) from the \(z\)-plane to the \(w\)-plane is defined by $$w = \frac { z + 1 } { i z - 1 } , \quad z \neq - i$$ where \(z = x + \mathrm { i } y , w = u + \mathrm { i } v\) and \(x , y , u\) and \(v\) are real. \(T\) transforms the circle \(| z | = 1\) in the \(z\)-plane onto a straight line \(L\) in the \(w\)-plane.
(a) Find an equation of \(L\) giving your answer in terms of \(u\) and \(v\).
(b) Show that \(T\) transforms the line \(\operatorname { Im } z = 0\) in the \(z\)-plane onto a circle \(C\) in the \(w\)-plane, giving the centre and radius of this circle.
(c) On a single Argand diagram sketch \(L\) and \(C\). Question: Solve $$x ^ { 5 } = - ( 9 \sqrt { 3 } ) i$$
Edexcel FP2 2010 June Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
4. $$z = - 8 + ( 8 \sqrt { } 3 ) i$$
  1. Find the modulus of \(z\) and the argument of \(z\). Using de Moivre's theorem,
  2. find \(z ^ { 3 }\),
  3. find the values of \(w\) such that \(w ^ { 4 } = z\), giving your answers in the form \(a + \mathrm { i } b\), where \(a , b \in \mathbb { R }\).
Edexcel FP2 2015 June Q2
9 marks Standard +0.3
2. $$z = - 2 + ( 2 \sqrt { 3 } ) \mathrm { i }$$
  1. Find the modulus and the argument of \(z\). Using de Moivre's theorem,
  2. find \(z ^ { 6 }\), simplifying your answer,
  3. find the values of \(w\) such that \(w ^ { 4 } = z ^ { 3 }\), giving your answers in the form \(a + \mathrm { i } b\) where \(a , b \in \mathbb { R }\).
Edexcel F2 Specimen Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
4. $$z = - 8 + ( 8 \sqrt { } 3 ) \mathrm { i }$$
  1. Find the modulus of \(z\) and the argument of \(z\). Using de Moivre's theorem,
  2. find \(z ^ { 3 }\),
  3. find the values of \(w\) such that \(w ^ { 4 } = z\), giving your answers in the form \(a + \mathrm { i } b\), where \(a , b \in \mathbb { R }\).
OCR FP3 2009 January Q2
5 marks Standard +0.3
2
  1. Express \(\frac { \sqrt { 3 } + \mathrm { i } } { \sqrt { 3 } - \mathrm { i } }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\).
  2. Hence find the smallest positive value of \(n\) for which \(\left( \frac { \sqrt { 3 } + \mathrm { i } } { \sqrt { 3 } - \mathrm { i } } \right) ^ { n }\) is real and positive.
OCR FP3 2012 January Q2
7 marks Standard +0.8
2
  1. Show that \(\left( z ^ { n } - \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta } \right) \left( z ^ { n } - \mathrm { e } ^ { - \mathrm { i } \theta } \right) \equiv z ^ { 2 n } - ( 2 \cos \theta ) z ^ { n } + 1\).
  2. Express \(z ^ { 4 } - z ^ { 2 } + 1\) as the product of four factors of the form \(\left( z - e ^ { \mathrm { i } \alpha } \right)\), where \(0 \leqslant \alpha < 2 \pi\).
OCR FP3 2013 June Q4
8 marks Standard +0.3
4 The complex numbers 0,3 and \(3 \mathrm { e } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi \mathrm { i } }\) are represented in an Argand diagram by the points \(O , A\) and \(B\) respectively.
  1. Sketch the triangle \(O A B\) and show that it is equilateral.
  2. Hence express \(3 - 3 e ^ { \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi i }\) in polar form.
  3. Hence find \(\left( 3 - 3 \mathrm { e } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi \mathrm { i } } \right) ^ { 5 }\), giving your answer in the form \(a + b \sqrt { 3 } \mathrm { i }\) where \(a\) and \(b\) are rational numbers.
OCR FP3 2015 June Q4
9 marks Standard +0.8
4 In an Argand diagram, the complex numbers \(0 , z\) and \(z \mathrm { e } ^ { \frac { 1 } { 6 } \mathrm { i } \pi }\) are represented by the points \(O , A\) and \(B\) respectively.
  1. Sketch a possible Argand diagram showing the triangle \(O A B\). Show that the triangle is isosceles and state the size of angle \(A O B\). The complex numbers \(1 + \mathrm { i }\) and \(5 + 2 \mathrm { i }\) are represented by the points \(C\) and \(D\) respectively. The complex number \(w\) is represented by the point \(E\), such that \(C D = C E\) and angle \(D C E = \frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi\).
  2. Calculate the possible values of \(w\), giving your answers exactly in the form \(a + b \mathrm { i }\).
OCR MEI Further Pure Core AS 2023 June Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
  1. By expanding \(( \sqrt { 3 } + \mathrm { i } ) ^ { 5 }\), express \(z ^ { 5 }\) in the form \(\mathrm { a } +\) bi where \(a\) and \(b\) are real and exact.
    1. Express \(z\) in modulus-argument form.
    2. Hence find \(z ^ { 5 }\) in modulus-argument form.
    3. Use this result to verify your answers to part (a).
AQA FP2 2006 January Q3
12 marks Moderate -0.3
3 The complex numbers \(z _ { 1 }\) and \(z _ { 2 }\) are given by $$z _ { 1 } = \frac { 1 + \mathrm { i } } { 1 - \mathrm { i } } \quad \text { and } \quad z _ { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 2 } + \frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 2 } \mathrm { i }$$
  1. Show that \(z _ { 1 } = \mathrm { i }\).
  2. Show that \(\left| z _ { 1 } \right| = \left| z _ { 2 } \right|\).
  3. Express both \(z _ { 1 }\) and \(z _ { 2 }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\).
  4. Draw an Argand diagram to show the points representing \(z _ { 1 } , z _ { 2 }\) and \(z _ { 1 } + z _ { 2 }\).
  5. Use your Argand diagram to show that $$\tan \frac { 5 } { 12 } \pi = 2 + \sqrt { 3 }$$
OCR Further Additional Pure AS 2021 November Q6
11 marks Challenging +1.8
6 The set \(S\) consists of the following four complex numbers. \(\begin{array} { l l l l } \sqrt { 3 } + \mathrm { i } & - \sqrt { 3 } - \mathrm { i } & 1 - \mathrm { i } \sqrt { 3 } & - 1 + \mathrm { i } \sqrt { 3 } \end{array}\) For \(z _ { 1 } , z _ { 2 } \in S\), the binary operation \(\bigcirc\) is defined by \(z _ { 1 } \bigcirc z _ { 2 } = \frac { 1 } { 4 } ( 1 + i \sqrt { 3 } ) z _ { 1 } z _ { 2 }\).
    1. Complete the Cayley table for \(( S , \bigcirc )\) given in the Printed Answer Booklet.
    2. Verify that ( \(S , \bigcirc\) ) is a group.
    3. State the order of each element of \(( S , \bigcirc )\).
  1. Write down the only proper subgroup of ( \(S , \bigcirc\) ).
    1. Explain why ( \(S , \bigcirc\) ) is a cyclic group.
    2. List all possible generators of \(( S , \bigcirc )\).
Edexcel FP2 Q4
7 marks Standard +0.8
  1. Given that $$z = r(\cos n\theta + i \sin n\theta), \quad r \in \mathbf{R}$$ prove, by induction, that \(z^n = r^n(\cos n\theta + i \sin n\theta)\), \(n \in \mathbf{Z}^+\). [5]
  2. Find the exact value of \(w^2\), giving your answer in the form \(a + ib\), where \(a, b \in \mathbf{R}\). [2]
Edexcel FP2 Q11
3 marks Moderate -0.8
$$z = 4\left(\cos \frac{\pi}{4} + i\sin \frac{\pi}{4}\right) \text{ and } w = 3\left(\cos \frac{2\pi}{3} + i\sin \frac{2\pi}{3}\right).$$ Express \(zw\) in the form \(r(\cos \theta + i \sin \theta)\), \(r > 0\), \(-\pi < \theta < \pi\). [3]
AQA Further Paper 1 2022 June Q2
1 marks Moderate -0.8
Simplify $$\frac{\cos\left(\frac{6\pi}{13}\right) + i\sin\left(\frac{6\pi}{13}\right)}{\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{13}\right) - i\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{13}\right)}$$ Tick (\(\checkmark\)) one box. [1 mark] \(\cos\left(\frac{8\pi}{13}\right) + i\sin\left(\frac{8\pi}{13}\right)\) \(\square\) \(\cos\left(\frac{8\pi}{13}\right) - i\sin\left(\frac{8\pi}{13}\right)\) \(\square\) \(\cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{13}\right) + i\sin\left(\frac{4\pi}{13}\right)\) \(\square\) \(\cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{13}\right) - i\sin\left(\frac{4\pi}{13}\right)\) \(\square\)
AQA Further Paper 1 2024 June Q2
1 marks Easy -1.8
The complex number \(z = e^{\frac{i\pi}{3}}\) Which one of the following is a real number? Circle your answer. [1 mark] \(z^4\) \(z^5\) \(z^6\) \(z^7\)
AQA Further Paper 1 2024 June Q10
6 marks Standard +0.8
The complex numbers \(z\) and \(w\) are defined by $$z = \cos\frac{\pi}{4} + i\sin\frac{\pi}{4}$$ and $$w = \cos\frac{\pi}{6} + i\sin\frac{\pi}{6}$$ By evaluating the product \(zw\), show that $$\tan\frac{5\pi}{12} = 2 + \sqrt{3}$$ [6 marks]
AQA Further Paper 2 2023 June Q9
7 marks Challenging +1.2
The complex number \(z\) is such that $$z = \frac{1 + \text{i}}{1 - k\text{i}}$$ where \(k\) is a real number.
  1. Find the real part of \(z\) and the imaginary part of \(z\), giving your answers in terms of \(k\) [2 marks]
  2. In the case where \(k = \sqrt{3}\), use part (a) to show that $$\cos \frac{7\pi}{12} = \frac{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}}{4}$$ [5 marks]
SPS SPS FM Pure 2023 June Q10
6 marks Standard +0.3
The complex number \(z\) is given by \(z = k + 3i\), where \(k\) is a negative real number. Given that \(z + \frac{12}{z}\) is real, find \(k\) and express \(z\) in exact modulus-argument form. [6]
OCR Further Pure Core 2 2018 September Q8
6 marks Challenging +1.2
In this question you must show detailed reasoning.
  1. Express \((6+5i)(7+5i)\) in the form \(a+bi\). [2]
  2. You are given that \(17^2 + 65^2 = 4514\). Using the result in part (i) and by considering \((6-5i)(7-5i)\) express \(4514\) as a product of its prime factors. [4]