4U - Curves and Regions

As well as solving equations and finding roots, we can also use Complex Numbers to represent curves and regions
on the Argand Plane. In this topic we shall outline the different types of questions that may arise from this topic.
Note that these questions can be solved geometrically and algebraically and that you must know how to describe a
points locus geometrically.
Given equations of the form Re(z)=c, Im(z)=k where c, k are real:
These types of equations are very easily graphed and are graphed as the equations themselves suggest. With the
equation Re(z)=c we can sketch this by noting that the real part of the Complex number is at all times equal to c.
Thus noting this , we can see that on an plane the equation is of the form = . Similarly , the equations of
the form Im(z)=k are of the form where the complex number has an imaginary part equal to k at all times. Thus
the equation is of the form = on he plane.

|=|

| and the corresponding line:

These equations are really quite straightforward and can be easily graphed using geometric methods, but most
students use algebra to find the equation of the line.
This type of equation represents the perpendicular bisector of the two points
Numbers , respectively.

representing the Complex

Thus the geometrical method involves simply finding the perpendicular gradient of the line
and then simply
finding the midpoint of the interval
, then using the point-gradient formula to find the equation.
The algebraic method involves the substitution of the Complex number = + . Thus now we can use the
properties of the modulus to find the actual equation. The example below will illustrate this point.

Example:
Find the equation of the locus if the point if | 2 + | = | |.

Solution:
Firstly we let =
Thus

|( 2) + ( + 1)| = | + ( 1)|
( 2) + ( + 1) =

4 +4+

+2 +1=

+ ( 1)

, |

|=

2 +1

(Noting the definition for modulus)

(Squaring both sides then expanding)

This is the equation of the locus of the point z. Check the answer using the geometrical method.

Given equations | | =

and the corresponding circles:

These equations represent various circles. Although the equations can be found algebraically, it is generally easier
to compare to the general form of the equation.
In the equation | | =
In the equation |

the equation is a circle centre origin, radius . Thus it is of the form,

|=

the locus is a circle with centre

representing the Complex Number

, and radius .

The next example will clarify this concept.

Example:
Find the equation of the locus of the equation | 2 + | = 1 in terms of
important features.
Solution:
Firstly the circle has centre (2, -1) and radius 1.
Thus the equation of the circle is ( 2) + ( + 1) = 1.
Now sketching this on a set of axes gives,

and

and sketch the circle showing all

Given equations

) = , setch the corresponding rays:

These equations as suggested, produce rays. The equation of the form arg = produces a ray turned in the
anticlockwise direction if is positive but in the clockwise direction if is negative. These rays start at the origin
but do not include the origin as a point for .
For example sketching the equation arg = gives,

Note the white dot at the origin signifying that the origin is not included.
The other type of argument relation involves the ray starting from the point and then moving in the direction
according to the angle indicated. Basically the equation of the form arg( ) = is just the ray represented by
arg = translated to the point . Note that this type of ray also does not include the point .
For example sketching the equation arg( 1) = gives,

Loci of the form |

|= |

| and |

|+|

|=

The first type of locus is the equation of a circle which can be found without excessive difficulty by using algebraic
methods. It should be noted that the rule ( ) =
is important when finding these equations.

The loci of the form |

|+|

|=

Sketching curves with Regions

are ellipses with foci

and with length of major axis units.

The questions involved in this part involve sketching the curve initially then finding the region with which the
equation satisfies. It must be noted that the regions can be found algebraically and that when dealing with
unfamiliar equations this is the way to find the region. It must also be noted that a broken line must be used to
signify the curves with only a greater than or less than sign.
The examples below will illustrate this idea.

Example:
Sketch the region given by | | 2.
Solution:

The equation represents a circle centre origin and radius 2. Since the curve is less than or equal to we use an
unbroken line. The region specified is inside the circle. This is because the modulus from the origin is then less than
or equal to the specified value of 2.

Example:
Sketch the region specified by | | < | 1|.
Solution:

Firstly we must note that the symbol used is simply a less than sign.
It is easier to use an algebraic method this time.
Firstly, let =

Thus, | + ( 1)| < |( 1) +

x + (y 1) <

(x 1) + y

 y<x

Graphing this gives,

In some questions the intersection or union of two regions must be sketched. Note that the symbol
union and the symbol indicates intersection.

indicates

Example:
Sketch the region where | | < | 1| and | | 2 hold simultaneously.
Solution:

The question here asks to sketch the region where both regions hold simultaneously.
So using the two examples above the intersection is,

Note the use of white dots so as to indicate the exclusion of the points of intersection due to the less than sign.

In these types of questions (i.e. intersection) it is important to note that both regions must hold.
They may also ask for the union of the two regions.

Example:
Sketch the Union of the two regions | | < | 1| and | | 2.
Solution:

In this question we must take note the UNION of the two regions.

Example:
Sketch the region specified by
Solution:

( ) 1.

The region here is an intersection of the two regions.

The first argument relationship specifies the region between
the region below the line = 1.
Thus, graphing this gives,

and

= for

> 0, the second indicates

Sketching other Simple Curves and Regions:

At times the question may not ask one of the loci that we have dealt with. In this case it is best to substitute an
arbitrary point = + and then solve algebraically for an equation in terms of and .
Example:
Find the locus given by the equation | | =
Solution:

Firstly let =

| + ( 1)| =
+

+ ( 1) =
2 +1=

1
= (
2

Sketching this gives,

+ 1)

( ) and sketch this on an Argand diagram.

Maximum and Minimum values of moduli and arguments:

This section involves using the geometry of the Argand diagram to find the maximum and minimum values of the
argument and modulus of z. It is important to draw a good diagram of the initial locus of z in order to be able to
easily obtain the answer. The examples below will illustrate the concept behind this important point.

Example:
Find the minimum value of | | if has a locus of | 2 + | = | 1|.
Solution:

Firstly we should sketch the locus.

Let =

| 2 + | = | 1|

( 2) + ( + 1) =

Sketching this gives,

( 1) +
2

Obviously, the shortest distance to the line is the perpendicular distance from the origin, for the modulus.
We will use the perpendicular distance formula for this.
| |

=
=

002
1 + 1

= 2

Thus the minimum modulus is the value of 2.

Example:
Find the maximum and minimum value of
Solution:
Firstly we sketch the locus.
It is a circle centre (2, 0) and radius 1.

if the locus of z is

2 = 1.

It is obvious that the maximum and minimum argument values occur when a line from the origin is drawn to the
circle as a tangent.

Using simple trigonometry, we can find the value of .

2
4

Thus the maximum and minimum values of arg z are and respectively.