Understanding Complex Number Equations: An Exploration

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving the complex number equation \( x + iy = \frac{a}{b + \cos \phi + i \sin \phi} \) and proving that \((b^2 - 1)(x^2 + y^2) + a^2 = 2abx\). Participants suggest various methods, including equating real and imaginary parts, using complex conjugates, and rationalizing the denominator. The consensus emphasizes the importance of manipulating the equation to eliminate the imaginary component for clarity in deriving the proof.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex numbers and their properties
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities involving sine and cosine
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation techniques, including rationalization
  • Experience with solving equations involving real and imaginary parts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of equating real and imaginary parts in complex equations
  • Learn about complex conjugates and their applications in simplifying expressions
  • Explore trigonometric identities and their role in complex number equations
  • Investigate alternative methods for solving complex equations without using modulus
USEFUL FOR

Students of mathematics, particularly those studying complex analysis, educators teaching algebraic methods, and anyone interested in advanced problem-solving techniques involving complex numbers.

  • #31
Let'sthink said:
(x² +y²) (b² +1 +2bcosφ) = a² ---------------------- (3), we need to eliminate cosφ and bring in x
For that
Writing original expression
(x+iy) = [a/(b+cosφ+i sinφ)] ----------------------(4) Taking complex conjugate
(x-iy) = [a/(b+cosφ-i sinφ)] -----------------------(5); adding (4) and (5) we get
[2a(b+cosφ)/(b² +1 +2bcosφ)] = 2x --------------(6) multiplying (3) and (6) we get
[2a(b+cosφ)(x² +y²)] = 2xa² or
[2(b+cosφ)(x² +y²)] = 2xa ------ (7)
Rewrite (3) and (7) as
(b² +1 +2bcosφ) = a² /((x² +y²) ----------- (3') and rewritten (7) becomes, [2(b+cosφ)(x² +y²)] = 2xa ------ (7) or (b+cosφ) = xa/(x² +y²), multiplying by 2b gives
2b²+2bcos φ = 2bxa/(x² +y²), ------ (7'). Now (7') - (3') gives
(b² -1)(x² +y²) = 2abx - a² or
2abx = (b² -1)(x² +y²) + a²
Although I will not like to call them different methods but using complex conjugate property gives us the shortest, neatest, simplest and the sweetest derivation.
 
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  • #32
x+yi = a/(b+cis(m)) | R= b+cos(m) ,I = isin(m)
x+yi = a(R-I)/((R+I)(R-I))
= aR/((R+I)(R-I)) - aI/((R+I)(R-I))
x2+ y2 = a2(R2- I2)/((R+I)(R-I))2
a2=(x2+ y2)(R2- I2)
x= aR/(R2-I2)
2bax = 2ba2R/(R2-I2)
=2bR(x^2+y^2)
if
(b2-1)(x2+y2)+a2=2bR(x2+ y2)
(b2-1)(x2+y2)+(x2+ y2)(R2- I2)=2bR(x2+ y2)
b2-1+R2- I2=2bR
sub R and I
b2-1+cos2(m)+sin2(m)+b2+2bcos(m) = 2b2+2bcos(m)
2b2+2bcos(m) +1 - 1 = 2b2+2bcos(m)

Hence Q.E.D
 
  • #33
Somali_Physicist said:
y = -asin(x)/(R+I)(R-I)
square it...
y^2=a^2sin^2(x)/(R+I)^2(R-I)^2
= -a^2I^2/(R+I)^2(R-I)^2

oh didn't see that makes sense now!
will post the solution now :P

NO, do not post the solution. That is not allowed under PF rules! If YOU had posed the problem it would be OK for you to post the solution, but not if somebody else posted the problem. (It is also OK to post and alternative solution if the OP has already posted a valid solution.)
 
  • #34
Ray Vickson said:
NO, do not post the solution. That is not allowed under PF rules! If YOU had posed the problem it would be OK for you to post the solution, but not if somebody else posted the problem. (It is also OK to post and alternative solution if the OP has already posted a valid solution.)
I don't think there's a problem here. The OP posted a solution many posts back.
 
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  • #35
Mark44 said:
I don't think there's a problem here. The OP posted a solution many posts back.

I did allow for that possibility in the last sentence. I have not tried to follow all the interweaving of this convoluted thread.
 
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  • #36
Ray Vickson said:
I did allow for that possibility in the last sentence. I have not tried to follow all the interweaving of this convoluted thread.
Thankyou, didn't know you couldn't post solutions before OP.
 
  • #37
Mark44 said:
I don't think there's a problem here. The OP posted a solution many posts back.
See post #36.
 
  • #38
Somali_Physicist said:
Thankyou, didn't know you couldn't post solutions before OP.
I posted a solution in post (17) and there was another solution in post (31). There is also another way of doing it using modulus, if given time i will post it here for research. In my opinion, solution (31) gives us the quickest and most friendliest of solutions.
 
  • #39
chwala said:
I posted a solution in post (17) and there was another solution in post (31). There is also another way of doing it using modulus, if given time i will post it here for research. In my opinion, solution (31) gives us the quickest and most friendliest of solutions.

I think you are right, unless there is some "geometric" method that helped the person who proposed the problem to "invent" it. After all, how on Earth would one ever guess that such a relationship could hold?
 
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  • #40
i would start by setting the absolute values of both sides equal.
 
  • #41
Ray Vickson said:
I think you are right, unless there is some "geometric" method that helped the person who proposed the problem to "invent" it. After all, how on Earth would one ever guess that such a relationship could hold?
This is from the pure maths textbook by Prof. C. J Tranter, 1964 1st edition. i find the old maths texts quite intriguing in terms of approach to tackling problems.
 
  • #42
Let'sthink said:
The operation of complex conjugation is very powerful. We know that complex conjugate of sum or product or even division of two complex numbers is the sum, or product or division of their conjugates. So you can immediately write

x-iy = a/(b+cos φ -i sinφ) ... 1 add to this what is given and you can get x immediately. Pursue this method as another method.
given x+iy = a/(b+cos φ +i sinφ)----- 2

Multiply 1 and 2
x^2 +y^2 = [(a^2 )/{(1+b^2+2b*cosφ)}]-------- 3
Add 1 and 2
2x = [{2a(b+cosφ)}/(1+b^2+2b*cosφ)] or
x = [{a(b+cosφ)}/(1+b^2+2b*cosφ)] ------------- 4
Let'sthink said:
(x+iy)(b+cosφ+i sinφ) = a-----(1), taking complex conjugate on both sides we get
(x-iy)(b+cosφ-i sinφ) = a -------(2) multiplying LHSs and RHSs we get
(x² +y²) (b² +1 +2bcosφ) = a² ---------------------- (3), we need to eliminate cosφ and bring in x
For that
Writing original expression
(x+iy) = [a/(b+cosφ+i sinφ)] ----------------------(4) Taking complex conjugate
(x-iy) = [a/(b+cosφ-i sinφ)] -----------------------(5); adding (4) and (5) we get
[2a(b+cosφ)/(b² +1 +2bcosφ)] = 2x --------------(6) multiplying (3) and (6) we get
[2a(b+cosφ)(x² +y²)] = 2xa² or
[2(b+cosφ)(x² +y²)] = 2xa ------ (7)
Eliminating cosφ between (3) and (7) should give you the result.
They are all equivalent methods because you said complex conjugate will not work I did this all work
Hope it helps
Rewriting 3 gives us
(x² +y²) (b²-1 +1 +1 +2bcosφ) = a² or
{(b²-1) +2*(1 +bcosφ)] = a²/((x² +y²))
From 7 we have
(b+cosφ) =[ (xa)/(x² +y²)] ------ (7)multiplying by b gives
(b²+bcosφ) =[ (abx)/(x² +y²)] or
bcosφ =[ (xa)/(x² +y²)] - b² ---------- 8
Substituting 8 in 3 we get
(x² +y²) [(b² +1 +[ (2abx)/(x² +y²)] - 2b² ] = a² simplifying we get
(x² +y²) [(-b² +1 +[ (2abx)/(x² +y²)] = a² or
(x² +y²) (-b² +1) +2abx = a² or
2abx = a² + (x² +y²) (b² -1)

I think this was what was to be proved
 
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  • #43
Let'sthink said:
given x+iy = a/(b+cos φ +i sinφ)----- 2

Multiply 1 and 2
x^2 +y^2 = [(a^2 )/{(1+b^2+2b*cosφ)}]-------- 3
Add 1 and 2
2x = [{2a(b+cosφ)}/(1+b^2+2b*cosφ)] or
x = [{a(b+cosφ)}/(1+b^2+2b*cosφ)] ------------- 4

Rewriting 3 gives us
(x² +y²) (b²-1 +1 +1 +2bcosφ) = a² or
{(b²-1) +2*(1 +bcosφ)] = a²/((x² +y²))
From 7 we have
(b+cosφ) =[ (xa)/(x² +y²)] ------ (7)multiplying by b gives
(b²+bcosφ) =[ (abx)/(x² +y²)] or
bcosφ =[ (xa)/(x² +y²)] - b² ---------- 8
Substituting 8 in 3 we get
(x² +y²) [(b² +1 +[ (2abx)/(x² +y²)] - 2b² ] = a² simplifying we get
(x² +y²) [(-b² +1 +[ (2abx)/(x² +y²)] = a² or
(x² +y²) (-b² +1) +2abx = a² or
2abx = a² + (x² +y²) (b² -1)

I think this was what was to be proved

is this different from your post 31?
 
  • #44
chwala said:
is this different from your post 31?
No. Just different elimination process.
 
  • #45
ok ...
 

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