Argument of a random complex no. lying on given line segment.

In summary, the OP was trying to find the most suitable answer to the following question: find the most suitable solution for arg(z) which is z lying on the line segment between -3 + 5i and -5 - 3i. They needed to find the most suitable solution from the following options: -3π/4, π/4, 5π/6, and π/6. After trying a few solutions with a calculator, they found that -3∏/4 or 5∏/6 were the most suitable.
  • #1
Ricky_15
3
0

Homework Statement


In the argand plane z lies on the line segment joining # z_1 = -3 + 5i # and # z_2 = -5 - 3i # . Find the most suitable answer from the following options .

A) -3∏/4

B) ∏/4

C) 5∏/6

D) ∏/6

2. MY ATTEMPT AT THE SOLUTION

We get two points ( -3 , 5 ) & ( -5 , -3 ) => The line segment must intersect x - axis and lie in the 2nd and 3rd quadrant .
=> #z# lies on x-axis or 2nd or 3rd qudrant .

But , since there is no option ∏ , so z must be lying in 2nd or 3rd quadrant.

=> -3∏/4 or 5∏/6 should be the solution .

I can't proceed further from here so as to differentiate between the above two choices.

The answer in the book is : 5∏/6 .
 
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  • #2
The set of choices is only defined as far as directions from the origin. So I would think the approach is to find the arguments of z1 and z2.
 
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  • #3
How is your line situated with respect to the line ##y = x##, which is where a ##z## with argument ##-\frac{3\pi}{4}## would be? Draw a graph.
 
  • #4
You could also compute the argument : z=end-start and arg z or atan dy/dx
 
  • #5
Hello Rick, :welcome:

If you pick random points on the line between those two points on your drawing, the average postion of those points should end up where, do you think ? You calculated the intersection with the negative x-axis, but you should have calculated the midpoint of the line segment. The angle that is closest to the argument of that point is your best answer.

Oh, and: you did draw a graph, I hope ?

:smile:
 
  • #6
Ricky_15 said:

Homework Statement


In the argand plane z lies on the line segment joining # z_1 = -3 + 5i # and # z_2 = -5 - 3i # . Find the most suitable answer from the following options .

A) -3π/4

B) π/4

C) 5π/6

D) π/6
...
Is that a complete statement of the problem - word for word?

If not, please give a complete statement of the problem - word for word. Also, if a portion of your question is in the thread title, please include it in the body of the thread as well.
 
  • #7
Anyone want to give odds on the OP ever returning to this thread?
 
  • #8
##\displaystyle \ \left(\frac{1}{e}\right)^\pi \ ##
 
  • #9
SammyS said:
##\displaystyle \ \left(\frac{1}{e}\right)^\pi \ ##
That's completely irrational. Probably.
 
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  • #10
SammyS said:
Is that a complete statement of the problem - word for word?

If not, please give a complete statement of the problem - word for word. Also, if a portion of your question is in the thread title, please include it in the body of the thread as well.

I am extremely sorry . I was in a hurry . Thats not the complete question . The question asked for " find the suitable solution for arg(z) " .
 
  • #11
Ricky_15 said:
I am extremely sorry . I was in a hurry . Thats not the complete question . The question asked for " find the suitable solution for arg(z) " .
Have you tried my suggestion in post #2?
 
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  • #12
haruspex said:
Have you tried my suggestion in post #2?
Yup that solved it , but for that I needed a calculator to find tan inverse 3/5 & 5/3 .
 
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