Simple complex number question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving complex numbers, specifically focusing on the vertices of a rhombus defined by the products and quotients of two complex numbers. The original poster seeks clarification on how to find the vertex z3 given the other vertices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the method of finding z3 by adding z1z2 and z1/z2, suggesting it may yield a diagonal rather than the desired vertex. Other participants propose considering simpler cases to illustrate the relationship between vertices.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of how to determine the position of z3. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of vectors and relationships between points in the context of complex numbers, but there is no explicit consensus on the method to find z3.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the geometric interpretation of complex numbers on the Argand diagram, and participants are questioning whether the discussed methods apply only to specific shapes like quadrilaterals.

synkk
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z_1z_2 = -1 + 2i
\frac{z_1}{z_2} = \frac{11}{5} + \frac{2}{5}i

Given that the origin, z1z2, z1/z2 and z3 are vertices of a rhombus, find z3.

I've drawn a sketch on a Argand diagram and the sketch is fine, but to find z3, they have done z1z2 + z1/z2 , but would this not give you a diagonal which joins z1z2 and z1/z2 instead of z3? How would it give you z3, if anyone could explain
 
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No, it wouldn't give you the diagonal joining ##z_1z_2## and ##z_1/z_2##.

Consider a simpler case where the vertices are at (0, 0), (1, 0), and (0, i). Where would the other corner of the square lie and how are its coordinates related to (1, 0) and (0, i)?
 
vela said:
No, it wouldn't give you the diagonal joining ##z_1z_2## and ##z_1/z_2##.

Consider a simpler case where the vertices are at (0, 0), (1, 0), and (0, i). Where would the other corner of the square lie and how are its coordinates related to (1, 0) and (0, i)?

I see.

Does this only work on Argand diagrams and quadrilaterals?
 
I would think of the two given points as vectors. If z1z2 is one side, and z1/z2 is another, then their sum gives the position vector of the opposite corner.
 

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