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Complex Numbers

Practice exam-style IB Math AI questions for Complex Numbers, aligned with the syllabus and grouped by topic.

Verified by Karim
Verified by Karim
Paper
Difficulty
Status
Level
Question 1
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted

Let z=34i1+2iz=\dfrac{3-4i}{1+2i} and w=2+iw=2+i.

A

Express zz in Cartesian form.

[3]
B

Hence calculate zwzw.

[2]
Question 2
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted

Consider the expression 3i472i263i^{47}-2i^{26} and the quadratic equation x24x+13=0x^2-4x+13=0.

A

Express 3i472i263i^{47}-2i^{26} in Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Solve the quadratic equation, giving the solutions in Cartesian form.

[3]
Question 3
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted

Let z=5+53iz=-5+5\sqrt3i and w=2eiπ/6w=2e^{-i\pi/6}.

A

Express zz in exponential form, giving an exact argument in the interval π<θπ-\pi<\theta\leq\pi.

[3]
B

Express ww in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
Question 4
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Easy
Calculator Permitted

A complex number zz has modulus 66 and principal argument 2π3-\dfrac{2\pi}{3}.

A

Write zz in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Write the conjugate z\overline z in exact exponential form.

[1]
C

Hence find the exact value of z+zz+\overline z.

[1]
Question 5
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The complex number zz is given by z=k+(k2)iz=k+(k-2)i, where kRk\in\mathbb{R}. It is known that z=25|z|=2\sqrt5 and Re(z)>0\operatorname{Re}(z)>0.

A

Determine the value of kk.

[3]
B

Find the principal argument of zz.

[2]
Question 6
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Let z1=2+5iz_1=-2+5i, z2=4iz_2=4-i and w=z1z2w=z_1-z_2.

A

Find ww in Cartesian form.

[1]
B

On an Argand diagram, plot and label the points representing z1z_1, z2z_2 and ww.

[2]
C

Find w|w| and the principal argument of ww, giving exact values.

[3]
Question 7
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The function ff is defined by f(x)=2x28x+13f(x)=2x^2-8x+13, where xRx\in\mathbb{R}.

A

Calculate the discriminant of the equation f(x)=0f(x)=0.

[2]
B

Solve the polynomial equation 2x28x+13=02x^2-8x+13=0 over C\mathbb{C}, giving the solutions in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
C

Explain how the solutions in part (b) are consistent with the graph of y=f(x)y=f(x) having no xx-intercepts.

[2]
Question 8
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Let z=4cis(5π6)z=4\operatorname{cis}\left(\dfrac{5\pi}{6}\right) and w=2cis(π3)w=2\operatorname{cis}\left(-\dfrac{\pi}{3}\right).

A

Calculate zwzw, giving the answer in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Calculate zw\dfrac{z}{w}, giving the answer in exact Cartesian form with principal argument.

[3]
Question 9
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The complex number zz is given by z=3+iz=\sqrt3+i.

A

Write zz in exact modulus–argument form.

[2]
B

Hence find z5z^5 in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
C

Write down the exact value of z12z^{12}.

[1]
Question 10
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Let z=23iz=2-3i.

A

Using technology, calculate z6z^6 in Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Verify that z6=z6|z^6|=|z|^6.

[2]
Question 11
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A transformation of the complex plane is defined by w=αzw=\alpha z, where α=1+3i\alpha=1+\sqrt3i. The point PP represents the complex number z=1+2iz=-1+2i, and its image is the point QQ representing ww.

A

Express α\alpha in exact modulus–argument form.

[2]
B

Describe fully the geometric transformation that maps PP to QQ.

[2]
C

Find ww in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
Question 12
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Two alternating voltages, measured in volts, are given by
V1(t)=8cos(12t+0.4),V2(t)=11cos(12t0.9)V_1(t)=8\cos(12t+0.4),\qquad V_2(t)=11\cos(12t-0.9)
where tt is measured in seconds. The total voltage is V(t)=V1(t)+V2(t)V(t)=V_1(t)+V_2(t).

A

Find an expression for V(t)V(t) in the form Rcos(12t+ϕ)R\cos(12t+\phi), where R>0R>0 and π<ϕπ-\pi<\phi\leq\pi.

[4]
B

Write down the maximum total voltage.

[1]
C

Find the first time t0t\geq0 at which the maximum total voltage occurs.

[1]
Question 13
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Three water waves have heights
h1(t)=4sin(5t),h2(t)=3sin(5t+π2),h3(t)=2sin(5t+π)h_1(t)=4\sin(5t),\qquad h_2(t)=3\sin\left(5t+\frac{\pi}{2}\right),\qquad h_3(t)=2\sin(5t+\pi)
where height is measured in centimetres and tt in seconds. Their combined height is h(t)=h1(t)+h2(t)+h3(t)h(t)=h_1(t)+h_2(t)+h_3(t).

A

Express h(t)h(t) in the form Rsin(5t+ϕ)R\sin(5t+\phi), where R>0R>0 and 0<ϕ<π20<\phi<\dfrac{\pi}{2}.

[4]
B

Write down the maximum combined height.

[1]
C

Find the first time t>0t>0 at which the combined height is zero.

[1]
Question 14
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A complex number zz satisfies
z+z=8andzz=25z+\overline z=8\qquad\text{and}\qquad z\overline z=25

A

Determine all possible values of zz in Cartesian form.

[3]
B

Find the principal argument of each possible value of zz.

[2]
Question 15
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

An input signal has complex amplitude P=68iP=6-8i. A filter multiplies this amplitude by the transfer factor H=1+i2H=\dfrac{1+i}{2}. The output complex amplitude is Q=HPQ=HP.

A

Express PP in exponential form, giving the modulus and argument to three significant figures.

[2]
B

Calculate QQ in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
C

Write down the amplitude and phase shift represented by QQ.

[1]
Question 16
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The points AA and BB on an Argand diagram represent zA=3+iz_A=3+i and zB=1+4iz_B=-1+4i, respectively. Multiplication by a complex number qq maps AA to BB, so that zB=qzAz_B=qz_A.

A

Find qq in Cartesian form.

[3]
B

Find the modulus and principal argument of qq.

[2]
C

Interpret multiplication by qq as a geometric transformation of the Argand diagram.

[1]
Question 17
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Let z=1+3iz=-1+\sqrt3i and define wn=znw_n=z^n for positive integers nn.

A
I.

Express zz in exact modulus–argument form.

[2]
II.

Find w5w_5 in exact Cartesian form.

[3]
B
I.

Determine the least positive integer nn for which wnw_n is a positive real number.

[2]
II.

State the least positive integer mm for which wn+mw_{n+m} has the same argument as wnw_n for every positive integer nn, and justify your answer.

[2]
Question 18
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Three actuators produce vibrations with the same angular frequency. Their phasors are P1=9e0.35iP_1=9e^{0.35i}, P2=6e0.80iP_2=6e^{-0.80i} and P3=AeiθP_3=Ae^{i\theta}, where A>0A>0 and π<θπ-\pi<\theta\leq\pi. The resultant phasor is P=P1+P2+P3P=P_1+P_2+P_3.

A
I.

Express P1+P2P_1+P_2 in Cartesian form.

[2]
II.

Write P1+P2P_1+P_2 in the form ReiϕRe^{i\phi}, where R>0R>0 and π<ϕπ-\pi<\phi\leq\pi.

[2]
III.

Hence write the vibration produced by the first two actuators in the form Rcos(ωt+ϕ)R\cos(\omega t+\phi).

[2]
B

Determine AA and θ\theta so that the three vibrations cancel completely. If you did not obtain an answer to part (a)(ii), use P1+P2=12.6932e0.0961iP_1+P_2=12.6932e^{-0.0961i}.

[4]
Question 19
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A sequence of points on an Argand diagram is represented by z0=52iz_0=5-2i and
zn+1=qe0izn,q=0.82eiπ/7z_{n+1}=qe^{0i}z_n,\qquad q=0.82e^{i\pi/7}
for n0n\geq0.

A
I.

State the scale factor and angle of rotation that map znz_n to zn+1z_{n+1}.

[2]
II.

Express z0z_0 in exponential form, giving numerical values to three significant figures.

[3]
B
I.

Show that zn=5.39(0.82)nei(0.381+nπ/7)z_n=5.39(0.82)^ne^{i(-0.381+n\pi/7)}, with numerical values given to three significant figures.

[2]
II.

Hence calculate z14z_{14} in Cartesian form.

[2]
III.

Explain why z14z_{14} lies on the same ray from the origin as z0z_0 but is closer to the origin.

[1]
Question 20
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

The equation
z26z+k=0z^2-6z+k=0
where kRk\in\mathbb R, has two non-real roots. One root is denoted by α\alpha, and α=5|\alpha|=5.

A
I.

Explain why the other root is α\overline\alpha.

[1]
II.

Using the sum of the roots, determine Re(α)\operatorname{Re}(\alpha).

[2]
III.

Determine both possible values of α\alpha.

[2]
B
I.

Hence determine kk.

[2]
II.

Explain how the graph of y=x26x+ky=x^2-6x+k is consistent with the roots being non-real.

[2]
Question 21
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A transformation TT of the complex plane is defined by T(z)=qzT(z)=qz. The point represented by 23i2-3i is mapped to the point represented by 4+7i-4+7i.

Argand diagram showing the given complex number and its image under T.
A
I.

Find qq in Cartesian form.

[3]
II.

Find the modulus and principal argument of qq.

[3]
B

Describe fully the geometric effect of TT and determine the image of the point represented by 1+4i1+4i.

[4]
Question 22
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A complex-valued calculation is defined by
Q=(32i)8(1+i)5Q=\frac{(3-2i)^8}{(1+i)^5}

A
I.

Using technology, calculate (32i)8(3-2i)^8 in Cartesian form.

[2]
II.

Express (1+i)5(1+i)^5 in exact Cartesian form.

[3]
B
I.

Hence calculate QQ in Cartesian form.

[3]
II.

Verify numerically that Q=32i81+i5|Q|=\dfrac{|3-2i|^8}{|1+i|^5}.

[2]
Question 23
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

The horizontal displacement, in millimetres, of a platform is modelled by
x(t)=5cos(8t)+7cos(8t+1.10)+4cos(8t0.65)x(t)=5\cos(8t)+7\cos\left(8t+1.10\right)+4\cos\left(8t-0.65\right)
where tt is measured in seconds.

A
AI.

Write down the phasor corresponding to each of the three terms.

[2]
AII.

Calculate their sum in Cartesian form.

[2]
AIII.

Express the sum in exponential form.

[2]
B
BI.

Hence express x(t)x(t) as a single cosine function.

[2]
BII.

Find the first time t>0t>0 at which the platform reaches its maximum positive displacement.

[3]
Question 24
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A quadratic function is given by f(x)=2x2+px+qf(x)=2x^2+px+q, where p,qRp,q\in\mathbb R. The equation f(x)=0f(x)=0 has one root 1+3i-1+3i.

A
AI.

State the other root and explain your answer.

[2]
AII.

Determine pp and qq.

[4]
B
BI.

Find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph y=f(x)y=f(x).

[2]
BII.

Explain the relationship between the vertex and the real and imaginary parts of the two roots.

[2]
Question 25
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Let
z=3cis(5π12),w=4cis(π8)z=3\operatorname{cis}\left(\frac{5\pi}{12}\right),\qquad w=4\operatorname{cis}\left(-\frac{\pi}{8}\right)

A
AI.

Express zwzw in exact modulus–argument form.

[2]
AII.

Express z3w2\dfrac{z^3}{w^2} in exact modulus–argument form, with principal argument.

[4]
B
BI.

Hence express z3w2\dfrac{z^3}{w^2} in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
BII.

Describe geometrically the effect of multiplying any complex number by z3w2\dfrac{z^3}{w^2}.

[2]
Question 26
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A point in an animation is represented by z0=5e0.2iz_0=5e^{-0.2i}. Each frame multiplies its position by α=1.2e0.35i\alpha=1.2e^{0.35i}, so that zn=αnz0z_n=\alpha^nz_0 after nn frames.

Argand diagram of the iterates z_n on an expanding spiral.
A
I.

Express α\alpha in Cartesian form, giving its components to three significant figures.

[2]
II.

Describe geometrically the effect of one frame on a point in the complex plane.

[2]
B

Determine the first value of nn for which zn>12|z_n|>12, and find the corresponding position in Cartesian form.

[4]
Question 27
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Three synchronized seismic signals are
s1(t)=6cos(4t+0.4),s2(t)=8cos(4t+1.7),s3(t)=5cos(4t0.8)s_1(t)=6\cos(4t+0.4),\quad s_2(t)=8\cos(4t+1.7),\quad s_3(t)=5\cos(4t-0.8)
where displacement is measured in millimetres and tt in seconds.

Three seismic signals and their resultant over 0 to π seconds.
A
I.

Write down a complex phasor representing each signal.

[2]
II.

Find the resultant phasor in Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Express the resultant as s(t)=Rcos(4t+ϕ)s(t)=R\cos(4t+\phi) and determine the duration in each cycle for which s(t)>9 mms(t)>9\ \text{mm}.

[4]
Question 28
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Two loudspeakers produce signals
L1(t)=10cos(6t+ϕ),L2(t)=10cos(6tϕ)L_1(t)=10\cos(6t+\phi),\qquad L_2(t)=10\cos(6t-\phi)
where 0<ϕ<π20<\phi<\frac{\pi}{2}. The measured amplitude of their combined signal is 1313. Here, tt is measured in seconds, so the angular frequency is 6 rad s16\ \text{rad s}^{-1}.

Schematic phasor diagram of the two symmetric phasors and the added third phasor, using normalized non-answer-derived coordinates and equal physical scaling.
A
I.

Show using phasors that the resultant phasor is real and has modulus 20cosϕ20\cos\phi.

[2]
II.

Find ϕ\phi.

[2]
B

A third signal L3(t)=6cos(6t+π2)L_3(t)=6\cos(6t+\frac{\pi}{2}) is added. Express the new total signal as Rcos(6t+θ)R\cos(6t+\theta) and find the first time t>0t>0 at which it reaches its maximum.

[4]
Question 29
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

The vertices of a regular hexagonal plate are represented by
zk=3ekπi/3,k=0,1,,5z_k=3e^{k\pi i/3},\qquad k=0,1,\ldots,5
A manufacturing process maps each vertex to wk=αzkw_k=\alpha z_k, where α=1.5eiπ/4\alpha=1.5e^{i\pi/4}.

Original regular hexagon and its rotated, enlarged image on the Argand plane.
A
I.

Describe fully the transformation from zkz_k to wkw_k.

[2]
II.

Find w2w_2 in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Find the exact area of the original plate and hence the area of the transformed plate.

[4]
Question 30
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A resultant signal is measured as
V(t)=10cos(5t+0.4)V(t)=10\cos(5t+0.4)
One known component is V1(t)=8cos(5t)V_1(t)=8\cos(5t). A second component is V2(t)=Acos(5t+ϕ)V_2(t)=A\cos(5t+\phi), where A>0A>0 and π<ϕπ-\pi<\phi\leq\pi. The variable tt is measured in seconds.

Phasor diagram of the resultant, known, and unknown components.
A
I.

Write an equation relating the three phasors.

[2]
II.

Express the phasor of V2V_2 in Cartesian form.

[2]
B

Find AA and ϕ\phi. Hence find the first time t>0t>0 at which the resultant signal is zero.

[4]
Question 31
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

The points AA, BB and CC on an Argand diagram represent the complex numbers a=1+2ia=1+2i, b=6+ib=6+i and c=4+5ic=4+5i, respectively. A fourth point DD is chosen so that ABCDABCD is a parallelogram, with the vertices in this order.

Argand diagram showing the points A, B and C at their given complex coordinates.
A
I.

Using complex-number addition, determine the complex number dd represented by DD.

[3]
II.

Find the lengths ABAB and BCBC.

[3]
B
I.

Show that the angle ABCABC is 0.9100.910 radians, correct to three significant figures.

[3]
II.

Hence classify the parallelogram as precisely as possible, justifying your answer.

[2]
Question 32
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A logo is generated from the complex number z0=3e0.20iz_0=3e^{0.20i}. Successive vertices are defined by
zn+1=(1.05e0.60i)znz_{n+1}=\left(1.05e^{0.60i}\right)z_n
The centre of the logo is the origin.

A
I.

Describe the transformation from znz_n to zn+1z_{n+1}.

[2]
II.

Find an expression for znz_n in exponential form.

[3]
B
I.

Calculate z10z_{10} in Cartesian form.

[2]
II.

The designer claims that z10z_{10} is almost on the same ray from the origin as z0z_0. Determine the smaller angle between the two rays and comment on the claim.

[3]
Question 33
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Let z=a+biz=a+bi, where a,bRa,b\in\mathbb R, b0b\ne0 and z1z\ne-1. Define
w=z1z+1w=\frac{z-1}{z+1}

A
I.

Express ww in Cartesian form in terms of aa and bb.

[4]
II.

Hence show that if z=1|z|=1, then ww is purely imaginary.

[2]
B

For z=cos(1.20)+isin(1.20)z=\cos(1.20)+i\sin(1.20), calculate ww in Cartesian form and verify the result from part (a)(ii).

[4]
Question 34
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Four speakers emit tones of the same angular frequency. Their complex amplitudes are shown in the table. The total complex amplitude is the sum of the four amplitudes.

Speaker

Complex amplitude

Speaker 1

10e0i10e^{0i}

Speaker 2

8e0.90i8e^{0.90i}

Speaker 3

6e1.40i6e^{-1.40i}

Speaker 4

5e2.20i5e^{2.20i}

A

Part (a)

I.

Calculate the total complex amplitude in Cartesian form.

[3]
II.

Express PP in the form ReiϕRe^{i\phi}.

[3]
B

Part (b)

I.

Write the resultant tone as s(t)=Rcos(ωt+ϕ)s(t)=R\cos(\omega t+\phi).

[2]
II.

A fifth speaker is added so that the total amplitude becomes 2020 with phase shift zero. Determine the fifth speaker's complex amplitude in Cartesian form.

[2]
III.

Find the amplitude and phase shift of the fifth speaker.

[2]
Question 35
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Two alternating currents are modelled by
I1(t)=14cos(50t+α),I2(t)=10cos(50t0.40)I_1(t)=14\cos(50t+\alpha),\qquad I_2(t)=10\cos(50t-0.40)
where current is measured in amperes. It is known that the resultant current has phase shift zero and a positive amplitude.

A
I.

Write an equation involving imaginary parts that must be satisfied by α\alpha.

[2]
II.

Given that 0<α<π20<\alpha<\frac{\pi}{2}, determine α\alpha.

[2]
III.

Calculate the resultant amplitude.

[2]
B
I.

Hence write the resultant current as a single cosine function.

[1]
II.

A third current is to reduce the resultant amplitude to 55 amperes while retaining phase shift zero. Determine one possible phasor for this third current and interpret its phase.

[4]
Question 36
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

On an Argand diagram, the points OO, AA and BB represent 00, a=4+ia=4+i and b=2+5ib=-2+5i, respectively. A transformation T(z)=qzT(z)=qz maps AA to BB.

Argand diagram showing O, A and B at the given complex coordinates.
A
I.

Determine qq in Cartesian form.

[3]
II.

Determine the exact scale factor of TT and its angle of rotation to three significant figures.

[4]
B
I.

The midpoint of ABAB represents the complex number mm. Find mm.

[2]
II.

Find T(m)T(m) in Cartesian form.

[2]
III.

Explain why T(m)T(m) is the midpoint of T(a)T(a) and T(b)T(b).

[1]
Question 37
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Two vibration sources have phasors P1=12e0.2iP_1=12e^{0.2i} and P2=9e1.1iP_2=9e^{-1.1i}. A controllable source has phasor C=5eθiC=5e^{\theta i}, where π<θπ-\pi<\theta\leq\pi.

Argand diagram showing the two source phasors and the controllable-source locus.
A
I.

Find P=P1+P2P=P_1+P_2 in Cartesian form.

[2]
II.

Find the modulus and principal argument of PP.

[2]
B

Determine the value of θ\theta that minimizes P+C|P+C|, and find this minimum modulus.

[4]
Question 38
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

For 0t<2π0\leq t<2\pi, consider the quadratic equation
x22(1+2cost)x+(5+4cost)=0x^2-2(1+2\cos t)x+(5+4\cos t)=0

Neutral Argand plane for representing the complex root.
A
I.

Show that the discriminant is 16sin2t-16\sin^2t.

[2]
II.

For 0<t<π0<t<\pi, write the root with positive imaginary part in Cartesian form.

[2]
B

For part (b), take z=1+2cost+2isintz=1+2\cos t+2i\sin t as the continuous continuation of the root identified in part (ii). Determine the locus of zz and find the two values of tt for which Re(z)=Im(z)\operatorname{Re}(z)=\operatorname{Im}(z).

[4]
Question 39
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A point moves by repeated rotations about the fixed point c=2ic=2-i. Its positions satisfy
zn+1=c+q(znc),q=e2πi/7z_{n+1}=c+q(z_n-c),\qquad q=e^{2\pi i/7}
where z0=5+iz_0=5+i.

Regular seven-position orbit centred at c in the Argand plane.
A
I.

Find z1cz_1-c in terms of qq.

[2]
II.

Show that zn=c+(3+2i)qnz_n=c+(3+2i)q^n.

[2]
B

Find z3z_3 in Cartesian form and explain why z7=z0z_7=z_0.

[4]
Question 40
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Two beacons are represented on an Argand diagram by a=2+3ia=-2+3i and b=6+ib=6+i. A receiver at z=x+yiz=x+yi is 55 units from beacon AA and 17\sqrt{17} units from beacon BB.

Argand diagram with beacons A and B and their distance circles.
A
I.

Write down two equations satisfied by xx and yy.

[2]
II.

Show that y=4x8y=4x-8.

[2]
B

Given that the receiver has positive imaginary part, find zz, its principal argument and the area of triangle ABZABZ.

[4]
Question 41
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A coded signal is multiplied repeatedly by q=1.04e0.28iq=1.04e^{0.28i}. Starting with z0=1z_0=1, the signal after nn stages is zn=qnz_n=q^n. Only stages 1n351\leq n\leq35 are available.

Argand plot of the expanding complex spiral for z_n, with the negative real axis highlighted.
A
I.

Write znz_n in exponential form.

[2]
II.

Find z20|z_{20}| and a principal argument of z20z_{20}.

[2]
B

Determine the value of nn for which znz_n is closest in direction to the negative real axis. Find the corresponding modulus.

[4]
Question 42
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Let z=3+2iz=-3+2i and define Sn=zn+znS_n=z^n+\overline z^{\,n} for non-negative integers nn.

A
I.

Show that zz and z\overline z are roots of x2+6x+13=0x^2+6x+13=0.

[2]
II.

Find S0S_0, S1S_1 and S2S_2.

[2]
B

Show that Sn=6Sn113Sn2S_n=-6S_{n-1}-13S_{n-2} for n2n\geq2, and hence find S8S_8.

[4]
Question 43
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A camera position is updated by
zn+1=qzn+(1q)Lz_{n+1}=qz_n+(1-q)L
where q=0.8eiπ/6q=0.8e^{i\pi/6}, L=2+3iL=2+3i and z0=8z_0=8.

Argand diagram of the camera positions spiralling toward L with equal real and imaginary axis scaling.
A
I.

Show that zn+1L=q(znL)z_{n+1}-L=q(z_n-L).

[2]
II.

Hence find an expression for znz_n.

[2]
B

Determine the first value of nn for which the camera is less than 0.50.5 units from LL, and find znz_n at this stage.

[4]
Question 44
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A monic quadratic with real coefficients has vertex (4,9)(4,9) and passes through (0,25)(0,25). Let zz be its root with positive imaginary part and define
w=z1z+1w=\frac{z-1}{z+1}

Component

Key data

Real graph

Vertex (4,9); y-intercept (0,25); sample points (2,13) and (6,13); opens upward.

Argand diagram

Conjugate roots symmetric about the real axis; the upper root is z.

A
I.

Find the equation of the quadratic.

[2]
II.

Find zz and explain why the real graph has no xx-intercepts.

[2]
B

Find ww in Cartesian and exponential forms. Determine the first positive integer nn for which wn<0.1|w^n|<0.1.

[4]
Question 45
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Let
u=e2πi/5u=e^{2\pi i/5}
The complex numbers 1,u,u2,u3,u41,u,u^2,u^3,u^4 represent five equally spaced points on the unit circle.

Argand diagram showing the five 5th roots of unity on the unit circle.
A

Part (a)

I.

Show that u5=1u^5=1 and u1u\ne1.

[2]
II.

Using the identity u51=(u1)(u4+u3+u2+u+1)u^5-1=(u-1)(u^4+u^3+u^2+u+1), deduce that
1+u+u2+u3+u4=01+u+u^2+u^3+u^4=0

[2]
III.

Interpret the result geometrically on the Argand diagram.

[2]
B

Part (b)

I.

Deduce the exact value of u+u4u+u^4 in terms of u2+u3u^2+u^3.

[1]
II.

Show that u+u4=2cos(2π5)u+u^4=2\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{5}\right) and u2+u3=2cos(4π5)u^2+u^3=2\cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right).

[3]
III.

Hence verify numerically that
2cos(2π5)+2cos(4π5)=12\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{5}\right)+2\cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right)=-1

[2]
Question 46
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A transformation is defined by
T(z)=eiπ/3z+13iT(z)=e^{i\pi/3}\overline z+1-\sqrt3i

Argand diagram showing z, T(z), and the fixed line.
A
I.

Find T(3+2i)T(3+2i) in exact Cartesian form.

[2]
II.

Show that T(T(z))=zT(T(z))=z.

[2]
B

Determine the locus of fixed points of TT and hence interpret the transformation geometrically.

[4]
Question 47
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

A non-real complex number zz satisfies
z+1z=sz+\frac1z=s
where ss is real and 2<s<2-2<s<2.

Generic Argand diagram showing the unit circle for non-real z.
A
I.

Writing z=reiθz=re^{i\theta}, show that r=1r=1.

[2]
II.

Show that zz is a root of x2sx+1=0x^2-sx+1=0.

[2]
B

For s=1.2s=1.2, find the two possible values of zz. For the value with positive imaginary part, determine the first positive integer nn for which Re(zn)<0\operatorname{Re}(z^n)<0.

[4]
Question 48
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 3
Hard
Calculator Permitted

Two equal-amplitude control signals are represented by the phasors
P1=Aeiα,P2=AeiβP_1=Ae^{i\alpha},\qquad P_2=Ae^{i\beta}
where A>0A>0 and αβ<π|\alpha-\beta|<\pi.

Phasor-sum diagram showing the circle |z|=15, resultant R, perpendicular-bisector construction, midpoint M, and both candidate phasor vectors.
A
I.

Factorize P1+P2P_1+P_2 to show that its argument is the mean of α\alpha and β\beta.

[2]
II.

Hence state the modulus of the resultant.

[2]
B

For A=15A=15, the resultant has modulus 1818 and argument 0.70.7. Determine all possible ordered pairs (α,β)(\alpha,\beta) satisfying π<α,βπ-\pi<\alpha,\beta\leq\pi.

[4]

Financial Mathematics