Transforming Lines to Circles in the w-plane

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a transformation from the z-plane to the w-plane defined by the equation w = 1/(Z-2), where Z = x + iy and w = u + iv. The task is to demonstrate that a straight line described by the equation 2x + y = 5 is transformed into a circle in the w-plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss rewriting the line equation in locus form and substituting z into the transformation. There are attempts to express u and v in terms of x, and one participant questions the validity of the problem statement based on the complexity of the resulting equations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to the transformation. Some have attempted specific points on the line to verify the transformation's properties, suggesting that the original problem statement may be correct despite the complexity encountered.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the correctness of the problem statement, as one participant expresses doubt about the expected outcome based on their calculations. The discussion includes considerations of potential simplifications and standard techniques that may apply.

conorordan
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Homework Statement



"The transformation T from the z-plane to the w-plane is given by

[itex]w=\frac{1}{Z-2}[/itex]

where [itex]Z=x+iy[/itex] and [itex]w=u+iv[/itex]

Show that under T the straight line with equation [itex]2x+y=5[/itex] is transformed to a circle in the w-plane with centre [itex]\left ( 1,-\frac{1}{2} \right )[/itex] and radius [itex]\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I've worked out that the line [itex]2x+y=5[/itex] can be written in locus form as [itex]\left|Z-10\right|=\left|Z+10-10i\right|[/itex]
 
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##2x+y=5 \implies y=5-2x## so we're looking for the transform of ##z = x+i(5-2x)##.
 
Joffan said:
##2x+y=5 \implies y=5-2x## so we're looking for the transform of ##z = x+i(5-2x)##.

okay I substituted z into the transformation but I cannot get an equation of a circle to come out, where do I go from here?
 
Can you find u and v in terms of x? I would do that, and then compute ##(u-1)^2+(v+\frac 1 2)^2##. If you get stuck, then show us your work up to the point where you are stuck.

Edit: OK, I actually tried that, and the result I got is kind of a mess. Makes me wonder if the statement you want to prove is actually true. Can you check if you have stated the problem correctly?

Edit 2: I tried a couple of specific points on that line (the ones I tried were 2+i and 1+3i), and found that they are mapped to points at the correct distance from 1-i/2. So the statement you're supposed to prove is probably OK. This should mean that it's possible to simplify the mess I got to 5/4. Maybe there's a less messy way to do this. It's been a long time since I did one of these problems, so I don't remember if there are any standard tricks.
 
Last edited:

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