Find real x and y, for which |z+3|=1-iz

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The discussion centers on solving the equation |z+3|=1-iz for real values of x and y, where z=x+iy. Participants highlight the importance of recognizing that the left-hand side (LHS) must be non-negative and real, which implies that the right-hand side (RHS) must also be real. The correct solution is x=0 and y=4, derived from the realization that iz must be real, leading to constraints on the values of x and y. The absolute value of the LHS plays a crucial role in determining the real nature of both sides of the equation.

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Homework Statement


Find real x and y, for which |z+3|=1-iz

Homework Equations


z=x+iy=re=rcos(θ) + rsin(θ)i

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that there must exist some x and y which satisfies both of these equations, since the real part of the LHS must be the same as the RHS, and same with the imaginary part. What is tripping me up is that z is on both sides. If there wasn't a z on either side, I would normally just convert each side into it's polar form, and solve for r and θ, thus finding x and y.

In this case, I've only gotten so far as changing to polar and doing trivial manipulations to both sides:
re +3 = 1-ire
re (1+i) = -2
re = i-1 = (i-1)ei2πn

Then I found r=√2, θ=2π. So x=√2 and y =0.

That's where I'm at so far. I ignored the absolute value of the LHS, which I'm sure probably plays a part in the answer, but I don't quite know how. The answer in the back of the book is x=0 and y=4. I have no idea how to get that answer. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
 
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acdurbin953 said:

Homework Statement


Find real x and y, for which |z+3|=1-iz

Homework Equations


z=x+iy=re=rcos(θ) + rsin(θ)i

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that there must exist some x and y which satisfies both of these equations, since the real part of the LHS must be the same as the RHS, and same with the imaginary part. What is tripping me up is that z is on both sides. If there wasn't a z on either side, I would normally just convert each side into it's polar form, and solve for r and θ, thus finding x and y.

In this case, I've only gotten so far as changing to polar and doing trivial manipulations to both sides:
re +3 = 1-ire
re (1+i) = -2
re = i-1 = (i-1)ei2πn

Then I found r=√2, θ=2π. So x=√2 and y =0.

That's where I'm at so far. I ignored the absolute value of the LHS, which I'm sure probably plays a part in the answer, but I don't quite know how. The answer in the back of the book is x=0 and y=4. I have no idea how to get that answer. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

If you copied the equation correctly, it has an immediate consequence for ##z##. Since the LHS is a non-negarive real, the right-hand-side must be real as well, so ##iz## must be real.
 
Remember: \left\lvert z+3 \right\rvert is real and ≥0. This will give you some boundary conditions for z...
 
acdurbin953 said:

Homework Statement


Find real x and y, for which |z+3|=1-iz
....

That's where I'm at so far. I ignored the absolute value of the LHS, which I'm sure probably plays a part in the answer, but I don't quite know how. The answer in the back of the book is x=0 and y=4. I have no idea how to get that answer. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

The absolute value can not be ignored. It makes the left hand side of the equation real: The right hand side must be real, too. What does it mean for y?
 
Okay so since |z+3| ≥ 0 does that mean I can now interpret the equation as |z+3| = 1+3i → |z| = -2+3i? I don't think I can, since then r = √13.
 
acdurbin953 said:
Okay so since |z+3| ≥ 0 does that mean I can now interpret the equation as |z+3| = 1+3i → |z| = -2+3i? I don't think I can, since then r = √13.
No!
 
Svein said:
No!

I don't get it then. What am I missing? What other value is z supposed to have?
 
acdurbin953 said:
I don't get it then. What am I missing? What other value is z supposed to have?
Have you read all the posts?
 
SammyS said:
Have you read all the posts?

Yes. I know now that the absolute value of the LHS makes everything real, and that |z+3| is some non-negative value. Also, since |z+3| is real, iz must also be real. What I don't understand is the direction I'm supposed to go with that information. And I don't know what that means for y. I'm assuming it means y must be real, but that seems obvious given that the question implies that a real y value exists.
 
  • #10
acdurbin953 said:
Yes. I know now that the absolute value of the LHS makes everything real, and that |z+3| is some non-negative value. Also, since |z+3| is real, iz must also be real. What I don't understand is the direction I'm supposed to go with that information. And I don't know what that means for y. I'm assuming it means y must be real, but that seems obvious given that the question implies that a real y value exists.
Isn't z = x + iy ?

This gives you that if iz is real, then i(x+ iy) = ix + i2y is real. What can you conclude from this?
 
  • #11
SammyS said:
Isn't z = x + iy ?

This gives you that if iz is real, then i(x+ iy) = ix + i2y is real. What can you conclude from this?

Does it mean that the imaginary part of the LHS would be the real y value of the RHS? Since i(x+iy) = ix+y. When I initially started the problem I wrote |x +iy +3| = 1-ix+y, but I really didn't know what I would do with that.
 
  • #12
acdurbin953 said:
Does it mean that the imaginary part of the LHS would be the real y value of the RHS?
No.
The left hand side is purely real.

You said (correctly) that iz is real, which means that ix + i2y is purely real. From that you should be able to conclude something important regarding x or y .
 
  • #13
ehild said:
The absolute value can not be ignored. It makes the left hand side of the equation real: The right hand side must be real, too. What does it mean for y?
You mean ##x##.
 

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