A LEVEL (P3)

COMPLEX
NUMBERS
QUESTION'S
 QUESTIONS 1 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

2 The complex numbers 1 + 3i and 4 + 2i are denoted by u and v respectively.

u
(i) Find, in the form x + iy, where x and y are real, the complex numbers u − v and . [3]
v
u
(ii) State the argument of . [1]
v
In an Argand diagram, with origin O, the points A, B and C represent the numbers u, v and u − v
respectively.

(iii) State fully the geometrical relationship between OC and BA. [2]

(iv) Prove that angle AOB = 14 π radians. [2]

3 (i) Solve the equation 2 − 2i − 5 = 0, giving your answers in the form x + iy where x and y are real.
[3]

(ii) Find the modulus and argument of each root. [3]

(iii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points representing the roots. [1]

4 The equation 2x3 + x2 + 25 = 0 has one real root and two complex roots.

(i) Verify that 1 + 2i is one of the complex roots. [3]

(ii) Write down the other complex root of the equation. [1]

(iii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the point representing the complex number 1 + 2i. Show on
the same diagram the set of points representing the complex numbers  which satisfy
|| = | − 1 − 2i| . [4]
 QUESTIONS 2 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

5 The complex number 2 + i is denoted by u. Its complex conjugate is denoted by u*.

(i) Show, on a sketch of an Argand diagram with origin O, the points A, B and C representing the
complex numbers u, u* and u + u* respectively. Describe in geometrical terms the relationship
between the four points O, A, B and C. [4]
u
(ii) Express in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [3]
u*
u
(iii) By considering the argument of , or otherwise, prove that
u*
tan−1
43  = 2 tan−1
12 . [2]

6 The complex number u is given by

3+i
u= .
2−i

(i) Express u in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [3]

(ii) Find the modulus and argument of u. [2]

(iii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the point representing the complex number u. Show on the
same diagram the locus of the point representing the complex number  such that | − u | = 1.
[3]

(iv) Using your diagram, calculate the least value of || for points on this locus. [2]

2
7 The complex number is denoted by u.
−1 + i

(i) Find the modulus and argument of u and u2 . [6]

(ii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points representing the complex numbers u and u2 . Shade
the region whose points represent the complex numbers  which satisfy both the inequalities || < 2
and   − u2  < | − u |. [4]

4 − 3i
8 (a) The complex number  is given by  = .
1 − 2i
(i) Express  in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [2]
(ii) Find the modulus and argument of . [2]

(b) Find the two square roots of the complex number 5 − 12i, giving your answers in the form x + iy,
where x and y are real. [6]
 QUESTIONS 3 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

√
1 3
9 The complex number w is given by w = − + i .
2 2

(i) Find the modulus and argument of w. [2]

(ii) The complex number  has modulus R and argument θ , where − 13 π < θ < 13 π . State the modulus

and argument of w and the modulus and argument of . [4]
w

(iii) Hence explain why, in an Argand diagram, the points representing , w and are the vertices
w
of an equilateral triangle. [2]

(iv) In an Argand diagram, the vertices of an equilateral triangle lie on a circle with centre at the
origin. One of the vertices represents the complex number 4 + 2i. Find the complex numbers
represented by the other two vertices. Give your answers in the form x + iy, where x and y are
real and exact. [4]

√
10 (i) Solve the equation ß2 + (2 3)iß − 4 = 0, giving your answers in the form x + iy, where x and y
are real. [3]

(ii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points representing the roots. [1]

(iii) Find the modulus and argument of each root. [3]

(iv) Show that the origin and the points representing the roots are the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
[1]

11 The complex number −2 + i is denoted by u.

(i) Given that u is a root of the equation x3 − 11x − k = 0, where k is real, find the value of k. [3]

(ii) Write down the other complex root of this equation. [1]

(iii) Find the modulus and argument of u. [2]

(iv) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the point representing u. Shade the region whose points
represent the complex numbers ß satisfying both the inequalities

|ß| < |ß − 2| and 0 < arg(ß − u) < 14 π . [4]

12 The complex number 2 + 2i is denoted by u.

(i) Find the modulus and argument of u. [2]

(ii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points representing the complex numbers 1, i and u. Shade
the region whose points represent the complex numbers ß which satisfy both the inequalities
|ß − 1| ≤ |ß − i | and |ß − u | ≤ 1. [4]

(iii) Using your diagram, calculate the value of |ß| for the point in this region for which arg ß is least.
[3]
 QUESTIONS 4 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

13 The variable complex number ß is given by

ß = 1 + cos 2θ + i sin 2θ ,

where θ takes all values in the interval − 12 π < θ < 12 π .

(i) Show that the modulus of ß is 2 cos θ and the argument of ß is θ . [6]

1
ß
(ii) Prove that the real part of is constant. [3]

14 (a) The equation 2x3 − x2 + 2√x + 12 = 0 has one real root and two complex roots. Showing your
working, verify that 1 + i 3 is one of the complex roots. State the other complex root. [4]
√
(b) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, show the point representing the complex number 1 + i 3.
On the same diagram, shade the region √ whose points represent the complex numbers ß which
satisfy both the inequalities |ß − 1 − i 3 | ≤ 1 and arg ß ≤ 13 π . [5]

15 The complex number ß is given by

√
ß = ( 3) + i.

(i) Find the modulus and argument of ß. [2]

(ii) The complex conjugate of ß is denoted by ß*. Showing your working, express in the form x + iy,
where x and y are real,
(a) 2ß + ß*,
iß*
ß
(b) .
[4]

(iii) On a sketch of an Argand diagram with origin O, show the points A and B representing the
complex numbers ß and iß* respectively. Prove that angle AOB = 16 π . [3]

6 − 3i
16 The complex number u is defined by u = .
1 + 2i

(i) Showing all your working, find the modulus of u and show that the argument of u is − 12 π . [4]

(ii) For complex numbers ß satisfying arg(ß − u) = 14 π , find the least possible value of |ß|. [3]

(iii) For complex numbers ß satisfying |ß − (1 + i)u | = 1, find the greatest possible value of |ß|. [3]

5
17 (a) The complex number u is defined by u = , where the constant a is real.
a + 2i
(i) Express u in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [2]
(ii) Find the value of a for which arg(u*) = 34 π , where u* denotes the complex conjugate of u.
[3]

(b) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, shade the region whose points represent complex numbers ß
which satisfy both the inequalities |ß| < 2 and |ß| < |ß − 2 − 2i |. [4]
 QUESTIONS 5 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

18 (i) Find the roots of the equation

p
ß2 + (2 3)ß + 4 = 0,
giving your answers in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [2]

(ii) State the modulus and argument of each root. [3]

(iii) Showing all your working, verify that each root also satisfies the equation
ß6 = −64. [3]

√
19 (a) Showing your working, find the two square roots of the complex number 1 − (2 6)i. Give your
answers in the form x + iy, where x and y are exact. [5]

(b) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, shade the region whose points represent the complex numbers
ß which satisfy the inequality |ß − 3i | ≤ 2. Find the greatest value of arg ß for points in this region.
[5]

20 The complex number w is defined by w = −1 + i.

(i) Find the modulus and argument of w2 and w3 , showing your working. [4]

(ii) The points in an Argand diagram representing w and w2 are the ends of a diameter of a circle.
Find the equation of the circle, giving your answer in the form |ß − (a + bi)| = k. [4]

(1 + 2i)2
21 The complex number u is defined by u =
2+i
.

(i) Without using a calculator and showing your working, express u in the form x + iy, where x and
y are real. [4]

(ii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the locus of the complex number ß such that |ß − u | = | u |.
[3]

22 Throughout this question the use of a calculator is not permitted.

The complex number u is defined by

1 + 2i
u=
1 − 3i
.

(i) Express u in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [3]

(ii) Show on a sketch of an Argand diagram the points A, B and C representing the complex numbers
u, 1 + 2i and 1 − 3i respectively. [2]

(iii) By considering the arguments of 1 + 2i and 1 − 3i, show that

tan−1 2 + tan−1 3 = 34 π . [3]

 QUESTIONS 6 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

23 (a) The complex numbers u and w satisfy the equations

u − w = 4i and uw = 5.
Solve the equations for u and w, giving all answers in the form x + iy, where x and y are real.
[5]

(b) (i) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, shade the region whose points represent complex
numbers satisfying the inequalities |ß − 2 + 2i | ≤ 2, arg ß ≤ − 14 π and Re ß ≥ 1, where Re ß
denotes the real part of ß. [5]
(ii) Calculate the greatest possible value of Re ß for points lying in the shaded region. [1]

√
24 The complex number 1 + ( 2)i is denoted by u. The polynomial x4 + x2 + 2x + 6 is denoted by p(x).

(i) Showing your working, verify that u is a root of the equation p(x) = 0, and write down a second
complex root of the equation. [4]

(ii) Find the other two roots of the equation p(x) = 0. [6]

25 (a) Without using a calculator, solve the equation iw2 = (2 − 2i)2 . [3]

(b) (i) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the region R consisting of points representing the
complex numbers ß where
|ß − 4 − 4i | ≤ 2. [2]

(ii) For the complex numbers represented by points in the region R, it is given that

p ≤ |ß| ≤ q and α ≤ arg ß ≤ β .

Find the values of p, q, α and β , giving your answers correct to 3 significant figures. [6]

26 (a) Without using a calculator, solve the equation

3w + 2iw* = 17 + 8i,
where w* denotes the complex conjugate of w. Give your answer in the form a + bi. [4]

(b) In an Argand diagram, the loci

arg Ï − 2i
= 16 0 and  Ï − 3 =  Ï − 3i

intersect at the point P. Express the complex number represented by P in the form rei1 , giving
the exact value of 1 and the value of r correct to 3 significant figures. [5]

27 (a) The complex number w is such that Re w > 0 and w + 3w* = iw2 , where w* denotes the complex
conjugate of w. Find w, giving your answer in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [5]

(b) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, shade the region whose points represent complex numbers
Ï which satisfy both the inequalities  Ï − 2i ≤ 2 and 0 ≤ arg Ï + 2
≤ 41 0. Calculate the greatest
value of  Ï  for points in this region, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places. [6]
 QUESTIONS 7 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

28 The complex number Ï is defined by Ï = a + ib, where a and b are real. The complex conjugate of Ï
is denoted by Ï*.

(i) Show that  Ï 2 = ÏÏ* and that Ï − ki
* = Ï* + ki, where k is real. [2]

In an Argand diagram a set of points representing complex numbers Ï is defined by the equation
 Ï − 10i = 2 Ï − 4i.

(ii) Show, by squaring both sides, that

ÏÏ* − 2iÏ* + 2iÏ − 12 = 0.

Hence show that  Ï − 2i = 4. [5]

(iii) Describe the set of points geometrically. [1]

29 Throughout this question the use of a calculator is not permitted.

(a) The complex numbers u and v satisfy the equations

u + 2v = 2i and iu + v = 3.

Solve the equations for u and v, giving both answers in the form x + iy, where x and y are real.
[5]

(b) On an Argand diagram, sketch the locus representing complex numbers Ï satisfying  Ï + i = 1
and the locus representing complex numbers w satisfying arg w − 2
= 34 0. Find the least value
of  Ï − w  for points on these loci. [5]

30 (a) Without using a calculator, use the formula for the solution of a quadratic equation to solve

2 − i
Ï2 + 2Ï + 2 + i = 0.
Give your answers in the form a + bi. [5]
1 0i
(b) The complex number w is defined by w = 2e 4 . In an Argand diagram, the points A, B and
C represent the complex numbers w, w3 and w* respectively (where w* denotes the complex
conjugate of w). Draw the Argand diagram showing the points A, B and C, and calculate the
area of triangle ABC. [5]

9ï3 + 9i
31 The complex number Ï is defined by Ï =
ï3 − i
. Find, showing all your working,

(i) an expression for Ï in the form rei1 , where r > 0 and −0 < 1 ≤ 0, [5]
(ii) the two square roots of Ï, giving your answers in the form rei1 , where r > 0 and −0 < 1 ≤ 0. [3]

32 (a) It is given that −1 + ï5
i is a root of the equation Ï3 + 2Ï + a = 0, where a is real. Showing your
working, find the value of a, and write down the other complex root of this equation. [4]

w−1
(b) The complex number w has modulus 1 and argument 21 radians. Show that = i tan 1. [4]
w+1
 QUESTIONS 8 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

3 − 5i
33 (a) The complex number is denoted by u. Showing your working, express u in the form
1 + 4i
x + iy, where x and y are real. [3]

(b) (i) On a sketch of an Argand diagram, shade the region whose points represent complex
numbers satisfying the inequalities  Ï − 2 − i ≤ 1 and  Ï − i ≤  Ï − 2. [4]
(ii) Calculate the maximum value of arg Ï for points lying in the shaded region. [2]

34 Throughout this question the use of a calculator is not permitted.

The complex numbers w and Ï satisfy the relation

Ï+i
w= .
iÏ + 2

(i) Given that Ï = 1 + i, find w, giving your answer in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [4]

(ii) Given instead that w = Ï and the real part of Ï is negative, find Ï, giving your answer in the form
x + iy, where x and y are real. [4]

35 The complex numbers w and Ï are defined by w = 5 + 3i and Ï = 4 + i.

in the form x + iy, showing all your working and giving the exact values of x and y.
iw
Ï
(i) Express
[3]

(ii) Find wÏ and hence, by considering arguments, show that

tan−1 35 + tan−1 14 = 14 0.
   
4

22 + 4i
36 The complex number w is defined by w =
2 − i
2
.

(i) Without using a calculator, show that w = 2 + 4i. [3]

(ii) It is given that p is a real number such that 41 0 ≤ arg w + p
≤ 34 0. Find the set of possible values
of p. [3]

(iii) The complex conjugate of w is denoted by w*. The complex numbers w and w* are represented
in an Argand diagram by the points S and T respectively. Find, in the form  Ï − a  = k, the
equation of the circle passing through S, T and the origin. [3]

37 The complex number u is given by u = −1 + 4ï3
i.

(i) Without using a calculator and showing all your working, find the two square roots of u. Give
your answers in the form a + ib, where the real numbers a and b are exact. [5]

(ii) On an Argand diagram, sketch the locus of points representing complex numbers Ï satisfying
the relation  Ï − u  = 1. Determine the greatest value of arg Ï for points on this locus. [4]
 QUESTIONS 9 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

38 The complex number 1 − i is denoted by u.

(i) Showing your working and without using a calculator, express

i
u
in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [2]

(ii) On an Argand diagram, sketch the loci representing complex numbers Ï satisfying the equations
 Ï − u  =  Ï  and  Ï − i = 2. [4]

(iii) Find the argument of each of the complex numbers represented by the points of intersection of
the two loci in part (ii). [3]

40 The complex number 2i is denoted by u. T he complex number with modulus 1 and argument
3
π 2is
denoted by w.
u
(i) Find in the form x + iy, where x and y are real, the complex numbers w, uw and . [4]
w
(ii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the points U , A and B representing the complex numbers u,
u
uw and respectively. [2]
w
(iii) Prove that triangle UAB is equilateral. [2]

7 + 4i
41 The complex number u is given by u = .
3 − 2i

(i) Express u in the form x + iy, where x and y are real. [3]

(ii) Sketch an Argand diagram showing the point representing the complex number u. Show on the
same diagram the locus of the complex number  such that

 − u

= 2. [3]

(iii) Find the greatest value of arg  for points on this locus. [3]
 QUESTIONS 10 TOPIC 11: COMPLEX NUMBERS

42 (i) Find the roots of the equation 2 − + 1 = 0, giving your answers in the form x + iy, where x and
y are real. [2]

(ii) Obtain the modulus and argument of each root. [3]

(iii) Show that each root also satisfies the equation 3 = −1. [2]

43 The variable complex number  is given by

 = 2 cos θ + i(1 − 2 sin θ ),

where θ takes all values in the interval −π < θ ≤ π .

(i) Show that | − i| = 2, for all values of θ . Hence sketch, in an Argand diagram, the locus of the
point representing . [3]

1
(ii) Prove that the real part of is constant for −π < θ < π . [4]
+2−i

44 The complex number 3 − i is denoted by u. Its complex conjugate is denoted by u*.

(i) On an Argand diagram with origin O, show the points A, B and C representing the complex
numbers u, u* and u* − u respectively. What type of quadrilateral is OABC? [4]

u*
(ii) Showing your working and without using a calculator, express in the form x + iy, where x
u
and y are real. [3]

u*
(iii) By considering the argument of , prove that
u
   
tan−1 34 = 2 tan−1 13 . 3

45 (a) It
 is
2
 given that 1 + 3i
w2 = 2 + 4i. Showing all necessary working, prove that the exact value of
w is 2 and find arg w
correct to 3 significant figures. [6]

(b) On a single Argand diagram sketch the loci  Ï  = 5 and  Ï − 5 =  Ï . Hence determine the complex
numbers represented by points common to both loci, giving each answer in the form rei1 . [4]