SOLUTION: The complex numbers z and w satisfy |z| = |w| = 1 and zw is not equal to -1. (a) Prove that \overline{z} = {1}/{z} and \overline{w} = {1}/{w}. (b) Prove that {z + w}/{zw + 1} i

Algebra ->  Complex Numbers Imaginary Numbers Solvers and Lesson -> SOLUTION: The complex numbers z and w satisfy |z| = |w| = 1 and zw is not equal to -1. (a) Prove that \overline{z} = {1}/{z} and \overline{w} = {1}/{w}. (b) Prove that {z + w}/{zw + 1} i      Log On


   



Question 1171501: The complex numbers z and w satisfy |z| = |w| = 1 and zw is not equal to -1.
(a) Prove that \overline{z} = {1}/{z} and \overline{w} = {1}/{w}.
(b) Prove that {z + w}/{zw + 1} is a real number.
Can you please explain in detail? I'm trying to grasp every aspect of the problem. Thanks

Answer by ikleyn(52767) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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The complex numbers z and w satisfy |z| = |w| = 1 and zw is not equal to -1.
(a) Prove that \overline{z} = {1}/{z} and \overline{w} = {1}/{w}.
(b) Prove that {z + w}/{zw + 1} is a real number.
Can you please explain in detail? I'm trying to grasp every aspect of the problem. Thanks
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            Here,  I will prove  (b).


Since |z| = 1 and |w| = 1, it means that z and w are the unit vectors of the length 1: their endpoints lie on the unit circle.

To calculate (z+w), apply the parallelogram's rule.  Since the sides of the parallelogram on vectors z and w are equal,

the parallelogram is a rhombus.  The sum (z+w) is the diagonal of the parallelogram, and since parallelogram is a rhombus,

arg(z+w) is  EITHER %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2  OR  %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2+%2B+pi.   Here arg() means the argument of complex number.



The first case   arg(z+w) = %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2 is when the angle between vectors z and w is less than pi :  |arg(z)-arg(w)| <= pi.

The second case  arg(z+w) = %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2++%2B+pi is when the angle between vectors z and w is greater than pi :  |arg(z)-arg(w)| > pi.

Notice that by the modulo of pi,  arg(z+w) = %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2   always.



Further, the product zw is the unit vector, again, so the same formulas are applicable to vectors zw and 1 = (1,0).

Notice that arg(zw) = arg(z) + arg(w), so arg(zw+1) is EITHER %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2,  or  %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2+%2B+pi, depending
on the angle between vectors zw and 1 = (1,0).

But in any case,  the vectors (z+w) and (zw+1) are EITHER parallel OR anti-parallel (opposite).

By the modulo of pi,  arg(zw+1) = %28arg%28z%29+%2B+arg%28w%29%29%2F2   always.



By the rule of argument of quotient for complex numbers, it means that the ratio  %28z%2Bw%29%2F%28zw%2B1%29 is real number.

This real number is EITHER positive (when the vectors (z+w) and (zw+1) are parallel), 

                      OR   negative (when the vectors (z+w) and (zw+1) are anti-parallel). 


At this point, the proof is completed.