How Do You Graph the Complex Inequality |z-1|<|z|?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on graphing the complex inequality |z-1|<|z|, where z is defined as x+iy. The key conclusion is that the inequality represents points in the complex plane that are closer to the point (1, 0) than to the origin (0, 0). The line x=0.5 serves as the perpendicular bisector of the segment connecting (0, 0) and (1, 0), delineating the region where the inequality holds true. Thus, the solution involves identifying the area to the right of this line in the complex plane.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex numbers, specifically in the form z=x+iy.
  • Familiarity with the geometric interpretation of absolute values in the complex plane.
  • Knowledge of inequalities involving complex numbers.
  • Ability to graph lines and regions in a Cartesian coordinate system.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the geometric interpretation of complex inequalities.
  • Learn how to derive and graph complex number distances in the complex plane.
  • Explore the properties of absolute values in complex analysis.
  • Investigate the concept of perpendicular bisectors in Cartesian coordinates.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying complex analysis, mathematicians interested in geometric interpretations of inequalities, and educators teaching graphing techniques in the complex plane.

torquerotates
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Homework Statement


Graph the inequality: |z-1|<|z| where z=x+iy {i is the imaginary number: (-1)^.5}


Homework Equations


for complex #'s z and w,
|w+z|<or=|w|+|z|
|z-w|>or=|z|-|w|


The Attempt at a Solution



|z|-|1|<or=|z-1|<|z| { if we consider 1 to be complex i.e 1=1+0i}
=>|z|-1<|z|
=>-1<0

I have no idea how to graph this last inequality. Isn't it just a true statement in general?
 
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torquerotates said:

Homework Equations


for complex #'s z and w,
|w+z|<or=|w|+|z|
|z-w|>or=|z|-|w|

Huh? What do these inequalities (which are always true) have to do with the inequality in the question?

Instead, use [itex]z=x+iy[/itex] to calculate both [itex]|z|[/itex] and [itex]|z-1|[/itex] in terms of x and y and then substitute your results into the given inequality.
 
Also, one can interpret |x- y|, geometrically, as the distance form x to y in the complex plane. That means that we can think of |z- 1| as the distance from z to 1+ 0i or from (x,y) to (1, 0) and |z| as the distance from z to 0+0i or from (x,y) to (0,0). Saying that |z-1|< |z| means the point (x,y) is closer to (1, 0) than to (0,0).
The line x= 0.5 (the complex numbers 0.5+ yi for any real number y) is the perpendicular bisector of the interval from (0,0) to (1,0). That line is the set of points z so that |z-1|= |z|. The points for which |z-1|< |z| is the set of points to the right of that line.
 

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