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JEE Main 2021
Complex Numbers
Complex Numbers
Hard

Question

Let the complex numbers α\alpha and 1αˉ\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} lie on the circles zz02=4\left|z-z_0\right|^2=4 and zz02=16\left|z-z_0\right|^2=16 respectively, where z0=1+iz_0=1+i. Then, the value of 100α2100|\alpha|^2 is __________.

Answer: 0

Solution

Key Concepts and Formulas

  • Modulus of a Complex Number: For a complex number z=a+biz = a + bi, the modulus is z=a2+b2|z| = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}, and z2=zzˉ|z|^2 = z\bar{z}.
  • Equation of a Circle: The equation zz0=r|z - z_0| = r represents a circle in the complex plane centered at z0z_0 with radius rr. Thus, zz02=r2|z - z_0|^2 = r^2.
  • Properties of Conjugates: z1+z2=z1ˉ+z2ˉ\overline{z_1 + z_2} = \bar{z_1} + \bar{z_2}, z1z2=z1ˉz2ˉ\overline{z_1 z_2} = \bar{z_1} \bar{z_2}, (z1z2)=z1ˉz2ˉ\overline{\left(\frac{z_1}{z_2}\right)} = \frac{\bar{z_1}}{\bar{z_2}}, and zˉ=z\overline{\bar{z}} = z.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Express the first condition using the modulus definition.

The complex number α\alpha lies on the circle zz02=4|z - z_0|^2 = 4. Substituting z=αz = \alpha and z0=1+iz_0 = 1+i, we have α(1+i)2=4.|\alpha - (1+i)|^2 = 4. Using the property w2=wwˉ|w|^2 = w\bar{w} with w=α(1+i)w = \alpha - (1+i), we can write this as (α(1+i))(α(1+i))=4.(\alpha - (1+i))(\overline{\alpha - (1+i)}) = 4. Applying the conjugate properties, we get (α(1+i))(αˉ(1+i))=4.(\alpha - (1+i))(\bar{\alpha} - \overline{(1+i)}) = 4. Since 1+i=1i\overline{1+i} = 1-i, (α(1+i))(αˉ(1i))=4.(\alpha - (1+i))(\bar{\alpha} - (1-i)) = 4. Expanding the product gives ααˉα(1i)(1+i)αˉ+(1+i)(1i)=4.\alpha\bar{\alpha} - \alpha(1-i) - (1+i)\bar{\alpha} + (1+i)(1-i) = 4. We know that ααˉ=α2\alpha\bar{\alpha} = |\alpha|^2 and (1+i)(1i)=12i2=1(1)=2(1+i)(1-i) = 1^2 - i^2 = 1 - (-1) = 2. Thus, α2α(1i)αˉ(1+i)+2=4.|\alpha|^2 - \alpha(1-i) - \bar{\alpha}(1+i) + 2 = 4. Rearranging the terms, we have α2[α(1i)+αˉ(1+i)]=2.(1)|\alpha|^2 - [\alpha(1-i) + \bar{\alpha}(1+i)] = 2. \quad \text{(1)} Reasoning: We are rewriting the given geometric condition using the modulus definition and conjugate properties to obtain an algebraic equation involving α2|\alpha|^2, α\alpha, and αˉ\bar{\alpha}. This transformation helps us proceed towards solving for α2|\alpha|^2.

Step 2: Express the second condition using the modulus definition.

The complex number 1αˉ\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} lies on the circle zz02=16|z - z_0|^2 = 16. Substituting z=1αˉz = \frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} and z0=1+iz_0 = 1+i, we have 1αˉ(1+i)2=16.\left|\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} - (1+i)\right|^2 = 16. Using the property w2=wwˉ|w|^2 = w\bar{w} with w=1αˉ(1+i)w = \frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} - (1+i), we can write this as (1αˉ(1+i))(1αˉ(1+i))=16.\left(\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} - (1+i)\right)\left(\overline{\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} - (1+i)}\right) = 16. Applying the conjugate properties, we get (1αˉ(1+i))(1α(1i))=16.\left(\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}} - (1+i)\right)\left(\frac{1}{\alpha} - (1-i)\right) = 16. Multiplying both sides by ααˉ=α2\alpha\bar{\alpha} = |\alpha|^2 yields (1(1+i)αˉαˉ)(1(1i)αα)=16.\left(\frac{1 - (1+i)\bar{\alpha}}{\bar{\alpha}}\right)\left(\frac{1 - (1-i)\alpha}{\alpha}\right) = 16. (1(1+i)αˉ)(1(1i)α)ααˉ=16.\frac{(1 - (1+i)\bar{\alpha})(1 - (1-i)\alpha)}{\alpha\bar{\alpha}} = 16. (1(1+i)αˉ)(1(1i)α)=16α2.(1 - (1+i)\bar{\alpha})(1 - (1-i)\alpha) = 16|\alpha|^2. Expanding the product gives 1(1i)α(1+i)αˉ+(1+i)(1i)ααˉ=16α2.1 - (1-i)\alpha - (1+i)\bar{\alpha} + (1+i)(1-i)\alpha\bar{\alpha} = 16|\alpha|^2. We know (1+i)(1i)=2(1+i)(1-i) = 2 and ααˉ=α2\alpha\bar{\alpha} = |\alpha|^2. Therefore, 1(1i)α(1+i)αˉ+2α2=16α2.1 - (1-i)\alpha - (1+i)\bar{\alpha} + 2|\alpha|^2 = 16|\alpha|^2. 1[α(1i)+αˉ(1+i)]=14α2.(2)1 - [\alpha(1-i) + \bar{\alpha}(1+i)] = 14|\alpha|^2. \quad \text{(2)} Reasoning: Similar to Step 1, we rewrite the second geometric condition into an algebraic equation. The main difference is the presence of 1αˉ\frac{1}{\bar{\alpha}}, which requires careful application of conjugate properties.

Step 3: Solve the system of equations.

We have two equations: α2[α(1i)+αˉ(1+i)]=2(1)|\alpha|^2 - [\alpha(1-i) + \bar{\alpha}(1+i)] = 2 \quad \text{(1)} 1[α(1i)+αˉ(1+i)]=14α2(2)1 - [\alpha(1-i) + \bar{\alpha}(1+i)] = 14|\alpha|^2 \quad \text{(2)} From equation (1), we can write [α(1i)+αˉ(1+i)]=α22.[\alpha(1-i) + \bar{\alpha}(1+i)] = |\alpha|^2 - 2. Substituting this into equation (2), we get 1(α22)=14α2.1 - (|\alpha|^2 - 2) = 14|\alpha|^2. 1α2+2=14α2.1 - |\alpha|^2 + 2 = 14|\alpha|^2. 3=15α2.3 = 15|\alpha|^2. α2=315=15.|\alpha|^2 = \frac{3}{15} = \frac{1}{5}. Reasoning: By isolating the common term [α(1i)+αˉ(1+i)][\alpha(1-i) + \bar{\alpha}(1+i)], we can substitute and eliminate it, thereby reducing the system to a single equation with one unknown, α2|\alpha|^2.

Step 4: Calculate 100α2100|\alpha|^2.

We are asked to find the value of 100α2100|\alpha|^2. Since α2=15|\alpha|^2 = \frac{1}{5}, we have 100α2=100×15=20.100|\alpha|^2 = 100 \times \frac{1}{5} = 20.

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Conjugate Properties: Be extremely careful when applying conjugate properties, especially with fractions and sums/differences.
  • Algebraic Expansion: Double-check your algebraic expansions to avoid sign errors or missed terms.
  • Modulus Calculation: Ensure you correctly calculate z02|z_0|^2 and α2|\alpha|^2 using the appropriate formulas.

Summary

We transformed the given geometric conditions into algebraic equations by using the properties of modulus and conjugates of complex numbers. By solving the resulting system of equations, we determined the value of α2|\alpha|^2 and subsequently calculated 100α2100|\alpha|^2.

The final answer is \boxed{20}.

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