Is the Complex Number z on a Circle?

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SUMMARY

The complex number z, defined as z = 1 + cos(theta) + i*sin(theta) for -Pi < theta <= Pi, represents a point on a circle in the Argand Diagram. The center of the circle is located at (1, 0) and the radius is √3. This conclusion is derived from the general formula for a circle in the complex plane, |z - w| = r, where w is the center and r is the radius. The relationship between the trigonometric identities and the geometric representation of complex numbers confirms that all values of theta yield points on this circle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex numbers and their representation in the Argand Diagram
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities, specifically sin²(theta) + cos²(theta) = 1
  • Knowledge of complex conjugates and their properties
  • Basic geometry concepts related to circles in the Cartesian plane
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the derivation of the general equation of a circle in the complex plane
  • Learn about complex number transformations and translations
  • Study the properties of complex conjugates and their applications in geometry
  • Investigate the relationship between trigonometric functions and complex exponentials
USEFUL FOR

Students studying complex numbers, mathematicians interested in geometric interpretations of complex functions, and educators teaching advanced mathematics concepts.

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The question is :
The complex number z is given by
z = 1 + cos (theta) + i*sin (theta)
where -Pi < theta <= Pi
Show that for all values of theta, the point representing z in a Argrand Diagram is located on a circle. Find the centre and radius of the circle.

Note that i understand perhaps some of you don't understand the symbol i used above, hence i will explain it here :
smaller or equal to : <=
theta : an angle
Pi : a usefull constant in circle, i don't know how to define it.
i = square root of -1
 
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Hint: go into the the reference frame with translated origin at 1+0i.
 
I think we all new what the symbols meant, if not we'd probably not be able to help...

do you know the general formula for a circle in the complex plane? It's the set S ={ z | |z-w|=r} for some fixed w in the plane and r a positive constant. Do any choices of w and r spring to mind given we know that cos^2+sin^2 is identically 1?

Of course there are other ways to see the answer since it is translation of the unit circle (centred on the origin).
 
Solution

Let me denote
: theta as x
:z* the complex conjugate of z
:^ denotes power x^2 ==x squared



then
Z=1+Cosx+iSinx
Z*=1+Cosx-iSinx

ZZ*=2 + 2Cosx^2 //z multiplied by (z*) will give you that

ZZ*-Z-Z*=
=2 + 2Cosx^2 - 1 - Cosx - iSinx - 1 - Cosx + iSinx
=2

therefore
ZZ* - Z - Z* + 1=3

==>Z(Z*-1) - (Z*-1) = 3
==>(Z-1)(Z*-1) = 3
==>(Z-1)(Z-1)*=3
==>|Z-1|^2=3
==>|Z-1|=real
Which is the general form of a circle in complex plane as matt grime pointed out.

Hope you found this solution useful :shy:

cheers
poolwin2001

P.S:Where did you get this question ??
 
This any help ?

<br /> \mbox{\Huge<br /> \[<br /> e^{i\theta } = cos\theta + isin\theta <br /> \]}<br />

Best
 
hard to understand

First of all, thanks to those people who had post reply to my question, your message is meaningful to me, thanks you.
Well, this question i get it from my work book in complex number exercise. Note that i am not European people, i live in South East Asian, hence i don't think is meaning to you if i told you which book i found this question, ok poolwin2001 ?

matt grime, i am just begin the Complex Number chapter, hence i really don't know got such Set which define any circle in the Argand Diagram. And to poolwin2001 also, i understand all your working but just don't understand how can u state that once u able to show |Z-1|=real , this implies that the point of complex number Z is located on a circle in Argand Diagram.

I just begin study this chapter, hence i don't think that the author expect me to use this kind of "theorem" ( which i think is under Further Mathematic ) to show Z is located in a circle, do you have any other easier method ?
For your information, i just study the operation of Complex Number (plus, minus, multiply and divide), conjugate ,draw Argand Diagram, that is all in my syllabus, and that question i was found it inside my textbook (so i sure the author will expect us use the method i study to solve it, and not using those "theorem" )
 
The idea that these points define a circle doesn't have anything to do with the complex numbers as such.

You should be thinking of the numbers as points in the complex plane, yes? then | | means distance. so {z| |z-w|=r} means all the points z a distance r from w. This is just geometry in the plane, but with nicer notation.
 
what matt grime probably asked you to do was to use the trigonometry identity.

Let z= x + iy
=(1+cos\theta) + isin\theta

\Rightarrow x = 1+cos\theta
\Rightarrow y = sin\theta

sin^2\theta + cos^2\theta = 1
y^2 + (x-1)^2 = 1

Compare with the circle equation : (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 = r^2
with center coordinate of (a,b) and radius r.
 
I think I got the explanation down in the zip file (couldn't upload the image directly). Hope it helps, sure took me a long time to create it.
 

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wow 3 different solutions

WOW 3 different solutions:bugeye:
Great !3 different solns each radically different have been given .Awesome!
(But mine had to be the longest :frown: :cry: )
 

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