Sketch the region of the complex plane

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on sketching the region of the complex plane defined by the inequality |z - 4 + 3i| ≤ 5. Participants clarify that this represents all points within or on the boundary of a circle centered at the point (4, -3) with a radius of 5. There is confusion about interpreting the modulus and the correct method for sketching the region, with emphasis on understanding that |z| ≤ 5 describes a circle around the origin. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing the geometric interpretation of complex inequalities. Ultimately, the correct approach leads to a clear visualization of the specified region in the complex plane.
SteveDC
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Homework Statement



Sketch the region of the complex plane specified by:

|z - 4 + 3i| ≤ 5


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I have tried re-writing the modulus as √[(z)^2 (- 4)^2 + (3i)^2] and from this I have managed to arrive at z ≤ 3√2

But not sure if I needed to do this or how I would take it from here in terms of sketching this
 
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Hi SteveDC! :smile:
SteveDC said:
|z - 4 + 3i| ≤ 5

|z - (4 - 3i)| ≤ 5 ? :wink:
 
Sorry, I might need a bigger hint then this! I still don't really understand
 
how would you draw |z| ≤ 5 ? :wink:
 
As a line along the real axis stretching to a point that is less than or equal to 5?
 
SteveDC said:

Homework Statement



Sketch the region of the complex plane specified by:

|z - 4 + 3i| ≤ 5


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I have tried re-writing the modulus as √[(z)^2 (- 4)^2 + (3i)^2]
and from this I have managed to arrive at z ≤ 3√2

That's not how you compute |z - 4 + 3i|. Recall that if w = a + ib then |w|^2 = a^2 + b^2.

Set z = x + iy and see what happens.
 
In any set in which an absolute value is defined we can interpret |x- y| as the distance between x and y. In particular, in the complex plane, |z- a| is the distance between z and a. If |z- b|\le r, for z a variable, b a specific complex number, and r a real number, then z is any point on or inside the circle with center at b and radius r.

(If z is a complex number, z\le 3\sqrt{2} makes no sense. The complex numbers are not an "ordered field".)
 
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(just got back :-p)
tiny-tim said:
how would you draw |z| ≤ 5 ? :wink:
SteveDC said:
As a line along the real axis stretching to a point that is less than or equal to 5?

ahh … that's where your misunderstandning is …

|z| ≤ 5 is a circle, the circle of all points whose distance from 0 is ≤ 5

i] do you see why that is? (or do you need an explanation?)

ii] now what does |z - i| ≤ 5 look like?
 
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Think I've got this now. ii] a circle round the midpoint at i, with radius less than or equal to 5, and z will lie on that radius.
 
  • #10
SteveDC said:
Think I've got this now. ii] a circle round the midpoint at i, with radius less than or equal to 5, and z will lie on that radius.

If by "midpoint" you mean "centered", then you are correct.
 
  • #11
Yep, thanks everyone
 
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