Solve the Complex Equation

Solve the Complex Equation
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The equation is $$z^2 -4z +4+ 2i = 0$$

I know that i am supposed to use $$(a+bi)^2 = a^2 + 2abi + bi^2$$ to solve the equation but i am stuck on how to expand the equation.

Can you help out with which term to expand?

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4 Answers

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Hint: Since $z^2-4z+4 = (z-2)^2$, we can write this equation as $(z-2)^2+2i = 0$.

This gives you $(z-2)^2 = -2i$. Can you find the two square roots of $-2i$?

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The quadratic rule still applies and

$$\begin{align} z&=\frac{4\pm\sqrt{16-4(4+i2)}}{2}\\\\ &=2\pm \sqrt{-i2}\\\\ &=2\pm \sqrt{2}e^{-i\pi/4}\\\\ &=2\pm(1-i) \end{align}$$

The roots are

$$\bbox[5px,border:2px solid #C0A000]{z=3-i \,\,\,\text{and}\,\,\,z=1+i}$$

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This is equivalent to $(z-2)^{2}=-2i=2e^{\frac{i3\pi}{2}}$ so $z-2=\sqrt{2}e^{\frac{i3\pi}{4}}$ or $z-2=-\sqrt{2}e^{\frac{i3\pi}{4}}$.

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Notice, we have $$z^2-4z+4+2i=0$$ $$(z-2)^2+2i=0$$ $$(z-2)^2=-2i\iff (z-2)^2=2i^3$$

$$z-2=\sqrt{2}i^{3/2}$$ Since, $i=\cos\frac{\pi}{2}+i\sin\frac{\pi}{2}$, hence we get $$z-2=\sqrt{2}\left(\cos\frac{\pi}{2}+i\sin\frac{\pi}{2}\right)^{3/2}=\sqrt{2}\left(\cos\left(2k\pi+\frac{\pi}{2}\right)+i\sin\left(2k\pi+\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\right)^{3/2}$$ $$=\sqrt{2}\left(\cos\left(\frac{4k\pi+\pi}{2}\right)+i\sin\left(\frac{4k\pi+\pi}{2}\right)\right)^{3/2}$$

$$z-2=\sqrt{2}\left(\cos\frac{3(4k\pi+\pi)}{4}+i\sin\frac{3(4k\pi+\pi)}{4}\right)$$

Now, setting $k=0$, we get first root as follows

$$z=\sqrt{2}\left(\cos\frac{3\pi}{4}+i\sin\frac{3\pi}{4}\right)+2$$ $$=\sqrt{2}\left(-\frac{1}{\sqrt2}+i\frac{1}{\sqrt2}\right)+2$$

$$=-1+i+2=1+i$$ $$\bbox[5px, border:2px solid #C0A000]{\color{red}{z=1+i}}$$

Now, setting $k=1$, we get second root as follows $$z=\sqrt{2}\left(\cos\frac{15\pi}{4}+i\sin\frac{15\pi}{4}\right)+2$$ $$=\sqrt{2}\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt2}-i\frac{1}{\sqrt2}\right)+2$$

$$=1-i+2=3-i$$ $$\bbox[5px, border:2px solid #C0A000]{\color{red}{z=3-i}}$$

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David Miller
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David Miller

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.