Core Pure Mistakes Collection
Complex Numbers and Loci
Mistakes
1 2+𝑖
- If need express in the form of 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 , best to express fraction separately (1 + 𝑖 but not
2 2
1
nor 2 𝑖 + 1)
- In anytime, when face any problem just attempt to compare the real and imaginary part
- When finding intersection coordinates of the loci (circle and line) try in the form of
𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥) + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥) (not 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)
- If the 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑥) needs to go up, draw a line and label the angle with a changed x axis (goes up
too)
- If just 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑍) the line drawn only half and start at the origin
- For line equation, you could express in 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑥(𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠)) = 𝜃
- If there is transformations, find the coordinates before transformation (when centre is origin)
then do the transformation
- If really don’t know how to find intersection, go to cartesian equation and solve
1
- when considering 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥 , you separate them to 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 then use 𝑍 ± 𝑍 to do
o or divide the variables with 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 give one and 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 give 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥
- For geometric sequence, n represents the number of terms, if from 1-10, then 10 terms, if 0-
10, then 11 terms, n=11
- Can use the exponential for rotation of a point
- The range of the roots should be between 𝜋 and −𝜋 but not 0 to 2𝜋, unless specified
2𝜋
- To obtain the exact value, cannot use the 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥 + 3 ) form as cannot find,
2𝜋
𝑖( )
o first convert the 𝑒 3 to complex number
1 3
o then multiply to the old one (𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)(− + √ )
2 2
- When struggling on proving exact value of 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑘), try to do binomial expansion
- Remember the complex number answer structure
o (see PMT CP2 Complex number Q7),
o take care Q10 bi too
- When proving zz* is real number, state that as both numbers are real (in the result) to secure
the last mark
𝜋
- For half line, use the expression arg(𝑧 − 2) = 4 too, not |𝑍 − 𝑍1 | = |𝑍 − 𝑍2 | format
- Don’t think too much, when ask the intersection of two curves in set notation, no need to use
in equality
- For proving 𝜔4 + 𝜔3 + 𝜔2 + 𝜔 = −1 in 𝑧 5 = 1
o Simply factorisation
- Argand diagram, remember to state coordinates/ complex numbers
, - Finding square root, not only can use modulus argument form, also can use (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖)2 = 9 +
40𝑖 then compare coefficients
Sketching
Need to look about whether the circle passes some points (length between origin to the centre=
radius? the centre equal radius (in terms of the coordinates))
Remember this diagram
• They are points not lines
Show that the shape is a regular polygon
- The distance between point K and point K-1 has magnitude W= 1
- At each point K, the exterior angle is the difference between the argument of WK and W(K-
2𝜋
1), which is so the exterior angles are the same
𝑛(𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟)
- Hence it is a regular polygon (or the specific name)
Deriving sin (𝑛𝑘) to power form or vice versa
- use excess expansion (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥) and take the real part/ imaginary part
1
- or use Demorive's theorem to expand or the 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 𝑍 + 𝑍 and expand
Geometric series of 𝐶 + 𝑖𝑆
- separate them to get 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
1
- If it is 1−𝑒 𝑖𝜃 then multiply by the half negative theta (force factorisation),
- 1 − 𝑒 −𝑖𝜃 (Z*), depending on the question, see what is the expression
To get 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥, we need to divide by 2i not just only 2
Series
Mistakes
• Use arrows (e.g. 𝑛 → 2𝑛 + 1 instead of 𝑛 = 2𝑛 + 1)
• The Standard Maclaurin series could be found in the formula book, do not derive unless specified
• For the number with binomial and 𝑒 𝑥 just do Maclaurin by just differentiating
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller leo8. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $13.71. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.