Linear Algebra

Exercises week 1

1. Solve each of the following for the real number x:

(a) (2 + xi)(3 − 2i) = 12 + 5i
(b) (2 + xi)(2 − xi) = 5
2. Convert each of the following to the form a + bi:
(a) (3 − 2i)(1 + i) + |3 + 4i|
3−2i 3−7i
(b) 1−i + 2−3i

3. In each case, find the complex number z:

(a) (i + z) − 3i(2 − z) = iz + 1
(b) z 2 = 3 − 4i
4. Find the roots of the quadratic equation x2 − x + 1 = 0.
5. Find all numbers x ∈ C in each case:
(a) x3 = 8
(b) x3 = −8
(c) x4 = 64
6. Show that:
(a) Im(iz) = Re(z)
(b) z + z̄ = 2 Re(z)
7. In each case, describe the graph of the equation (where z denotes a complex number):
(a) |z − 1| = 2
(b) z = −z̄
8. Express each of the following in polar form using the principal argument:
(a) −4i
√
(b) −4 + 4 3i
9. Express each of the following in the form a + bi:
(a) e7πi/3
√
(b) 2e−πi/4
√
(c) (1 + 3i)−4
(d) (1 − i)10
10. Find all complex numbers z such that:
√
(a) z 4 = 2( 3i − 1)
(b) z 6 = −64
11. If z 2 = z̄ 2 , show that z is real or pure imaginary.
12. T How many solutions for z can the equation z 5 = i have? Why?
13. T If a real polynomial of degree 4 has two roots equal 2 − i and 3 − 2i what are the two other roots?
14. T Which form of complex numbers (cartesian, polar, or exponential) would you use to quickly show that (1+i)n +(1−i)n
is a real number for all n ∈ N? Why?
15. ? Show the the sum of nth roots of unity is zero.
zn−1 +i 1
16. ? Consider a sequence of complex numbers defined as zn = zn−1 −i with z0 = 137 + i. Let z2002 = a + bi, where a and b
are real numbers. Find a + b.

Exercises starting with T are questions selected to help you understand the theory covered during lectures, try answering
them on your own. Exercises starting with ? are additional and usually a bit harder problems for keen students – they are
beyond the requirements of the course.