Struggling with Moduli in Complex Numbers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding a specific example related to moduli in complex numbers, as presented in a textbook by Brown-Churchill. Participants are seeking clarification on an equation and its application of the triangle inequality.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over an example from the Brown-Churchill book and requests help.
  • Another participant suggests that there may be a mistake in the referenced equation (9) and applies the triangle inequality to derive an expression involving moduli.
  • A later reply agrees with the possibility of a typo and indicates that the reference may actually pertain to equation (10) instead.
  • Multiple participants reiterate the potential for a typo without resolving the original confusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there may be a typo in the textbook reference, but the original confusion regarding the example remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the correctness of the triangle inequality application and the specific equations referenced, which are not fully detailed in the thread.

SamitC
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This may be a simple thing but due to some reason I am not able to understand.
I am not able to understand an example from Brown-Churchill book. I have provided the screenshot in the attached picture. Request help.
 

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I think you may have copied the wrong equation for (9). The triangle inequality says that ##|a+b|\leq|a|+|b|##. Applying that to your equation we get:

$$|z^3+3z^2-2z+1|\leq|z^3+3z^2-2z|+|1|\leq|z^3+3z^2|+|-2z|+|1|\leq|z^3|+|3z^2|+|-2z|+|1|$$
[applying the triangle inequality three times in succession]
$$=|z|^3+3|z|^2+|-2||z|+1$$
[applying (8) ]
$$=|z|^3+3|z|^2+2|z|+1<2^3+3\cdot 2^2+2\cdot 2+1=25$$

EDIT: Just saw Samy's post. I don't have the book but, based on that picture, it looks more likely a typo in that the ref to (9) should be to (10), rather than you miscopying it.
 
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May well be a typo. He is referring to the following:
complex.jpg
 
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andrewkirk said:
I think you may have copied the wrong equation for (9). The triangle inequality says that ##|a+b|\leq|a|+|b|##. Applying that to your equation we get:

$$|z^3+3z^2-2z+1|\leq|z^3+3z^2-2z|+|1|\leq|z^3+3z^2|+|-2z|+|1|\leq|z^3|+|3z^2|+|-2z|+|1|$$
[applying the triangle inequality three times in succession]
$$=|z|^3+3|z|^2+|-2||z|+1$$
[applying (8) ]
$$=|z|^3+3|z|^2+2|z|+1<2^3+3\cdot 2^2+2\cdot 2+1=25$$

EDIT: Just saw Samy's post. I don't have the book but, based on that picture, it looks more likely a typo in that the ref to (9) should be to (10), rather than you miscopying it.
Thank you very much.
 
Samy_A said:
May well be a typo. He is referring to the following:
View attachment 99135
Thank you very much.
 

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