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Complex Numbers question

2022 · 29 Jun · Shift 2 · Q25
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  5. /2022 · 29 Jun · Shift 2 · Q25

Complex Numbers question

2022 · 29 Jun · Shift 2 · Q25

JEE MainMathematicsComplex NumbersMCQ+4 / −1
Let arg(z) represent the principal argument of the complex number z. Then, |z| = 3 and arg(z −-− 1) −-− arg(z + 1) =π4{\pi \over 4}4π​ intersect :
  1. A
    exactly at one point.
  2. B
    exactly at two points.
  3. C
    nowhere.
  4. D
    at infinitely many points.
View written solutionFree

Correct answer: C

  1. Interpret the loci

We need the intersection of:

  • ∣z∣=3|z|=3∣z∣=3
  • arg⁡(z−1)−arg⁡(z+1)=π4\arg(z-1)-\arg(z+1)=\dfrac{\pi}{4}arg(z−1)−arg(z+1)=4π​

Let z=x+iy.z=x+iy.z=x+iy. Then the first locus is the circle x2+y2=9.x^2+y^2=9.x2+y2=9.


  1. Interpret the argument condition geometrically

The quantity arg⁡(z−1)−arg⁡(z+1)\arg(z-1)-\arg(z+1)arg(z−1)−arg(z+1) is the angle between the vectors from the origin of the complex numbers z+1z+1z+1 and z−1z-1z−1. Equivalently, it is the angle subtended by the line segment joining −1-1−1 and 111 at the point zzz.

So if A(1,0)A(1,0)A(1,0) and B(−1,0)B(-1,0)B(−1,0), then arg⁡(z−1)−arg⁡(z+1)=∠AZB.\arg(z-1)-\arg(z+1)=\angle AZB.arg(z−1)−arg(z+1)=∠AZB. Thus the condition means: ∠AZB=π4.\angle AZB=\frac{\pi}{4}. ∠AZB=4π​.

The set of points from which the chord ABABAB subtends a constant angle π/4\pi/4π/4 is a pair of circles through AAA and BBB.


  1. Find those circles explicitly

Here AB=2.AB=2.AB=2. If a chord of a circle subtends angle θ\thetaθ at a point on the circle, then for radius RRR, AB=2Rsin⁡θ.AB=2R\sin\theta.AB=2Rsinθ. With θ=π/4\theta=\pi/4θ=π/4, 2=2Rsin⁡π4=2R⋅12.2=2R\sin\frac{\pi}{4}=2R\cdot \frac{1}{\sqrt2}.2=2Rsin4π​=2R⋅2​1​. So R=2.R=\sqrt2.R=2​.

The chord ABABAB has midpoint (0,0)(0,0)(0,0), and the center lies on the perpendicular bisector, i.e. the yyy-axis. If the center is (0,k)(0,k)(0,k), then 1+k2=R=2,\sqrt{1+k^2}=R=\sqrt2,1+k2​=R=2​, so k2=1  ⟹  k=±1.k^2=1 \implies k=\pm 1.k2=1⟹k=±1.

Hence the two circles are x2+(y−1)2=2x^2+(y-1)^2=2x2+(y−1)2=2 and x2+(y+1)2=2.x^2+(y+1)^2=2.x2+(y+1)2=2.


  1. Intersect with x2+y2=9x^2+y^2=9x2+y2=9

First with x2+(y−1)2=2.x^2+(y-1)^2=2.x2+(y−1)2=2. Expanding, x2+y2−2y+1=2x^2+y^2-2y+1=2x2+y2−2y+1=2 x2+y2−2y=1.x^2+y^2-2y=1.x2+y2−2y=1. Using x2+y2=9x^2+y^2=9x2+y2=9, 9−2y=1  ⟹  2y=8  ⟹  y=4.9-2y=1 \implies 2y=8 \implies y=4.9−2y=1⟹2y=8⟹y=4. But on the circle x2+y2=9x^2+y^2=9x2+y2=9, ∣y∣≤3|y|\le 3∣y∣≤3, so impossible.

Now with x2+(y+1)2=2.x^2+(y+1)^2=2.x2+(y+1)2=2. Expanding, x2+y2+2y+1=2x^2+y^2+2y+1=2x2+y2+2y+1=2 x2+y2+2y=1.x^2+y^2+2y=1.x2+y2+2y=1. Using x2+y2=9x^2+y^2=9x2+y2=9, 9+2y=1  ⟹  2y=−8  ⟹  y=−4,9+2y=1 \implies 2y=-8 \implies y=-4,9+2y=1⟹2y=−8⟹y=−4, again impossible.

So the circle ∣z∣=3|z|=3∣z∣=3 does not meet either of these loci.


  1. Algebraic check using tangent formula

For completeness, arg⁡(z−1)−arg⁡(z+1)=arg⁡(z−1z+1)=π4.\arg(z-1)-\arg(z+1)=\arg\left(\frac{z-1}{z+1}\right)=\frac{\pi}{4}.arg(z−1)−arg(z+1)=arg(z+1z−1​)=4π​. So z−1z+1\frac{z-1}{z+1}z+1z−1​ has argument π/4\pi/4π/4, meaning its imaginary and real parts are equal and positive.

Let z=x+iyz=x+iyz=x+iy. Then

Multiplying numerator and denominator by x+1−iyx+1-iyx+1−iy, \frac{z-1}{z+1}= rac{(x^2+y^2-1)+2iy}{(x+1)^2+y^2}. Thus tan⁡(arg⁡(z−1)−arg⁡(z+1))=2yx2+y2−1.\tan\left(\arg(z-1)-\arg(z+1)\right)=\frac{2y}{x^2+y^2-1}.tan(arg(z−1)−arg(z+1))=x2+y2−12y​. Since the angle is π/4\pi/4π/4, 2yx2+y2−1=1.\frac{2y}{x^2+y^2-1}=1.x2+y2−12y​=1. Using x2+y2=9x^2+y^2=9x2+y2=9, 2y8=1  ⟹  y=4,\frac{2y}{8}=1 \implies y=4,82y​=1⟹y=4, which is impossible on x2+y2=9x^2+y^2=9x2+y2=9. So again, no intersection.


  1. Conclusion

The two loci do not intersect at any point. Therefore the correct option is: C: nowhere\boxed{\text{C: nowhere}}C: nowhere​

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