: this question has been driving me nuts for days!! it says to prove that: (1+z)/(1+conjugate z) = z This is true if and only if |z| = 1. Are you sure you weren't given that |z| = 1? You can't prove it in general because it isn't true in general! You can easily DISprove that it is true in general with a counterexample. Suppose z = 1+i _ Then z = 1-i Then _ (1+z)/(1+z) = 1 + (1+i) 2 + i 2 + i 4 + 4i + i² ----------- = -------·------- = ------------- = 1 + (1-i) 2 - i 2 + i 4 - i² 4 + 4i + (-1) 3 + 4i ------------- = -------- = (3/5) + (4/5)i 4 - (-1) 5 which does not equal z, since z = 1+i ================================================= However if you were given that |z| = 1, and I think you were, then it is true. Proof: _ First we must prove the lemma: |z|² = zz Suppose z = x+yi where x and y are real numbers _____ |z| = Öx²+y², so |z|² = x²+y² _ zz = (x+yi)(x-iy) = x²-y²i² = x²-y²(-1) = x²+y² Therefore the lemma is true. |z| = 1 is given Square both sides |z|² = 1 _ Replace |z|² by zz, using the lemma _ zz = 1 Add z to both sides _ z + zz = 1 + z Factor out z on the left _ z(1 + z) = 1 + z _ Divide both sides by (1 + z) _ z = (1 + z)/(1 + z) QED Edwin