Math Is Fun Forum

  Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun.   Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ • π ƒ -¹ ² ³ °

You are not logged in.

#1 2020-01-12 04:50:37

thecarl69
Member
Registered: 2020-01-10
Posts: 1

Complex numbers

Prove that if $w,z$ are complex numbers such that $|w|=|z|=1$ and $wz\ne -1$, then $\frac{w+z}{1+wz}$ is a real number.
Any way to start this problem off would be great, thanks.

Offline

#2 2020-03-06 10:01:12

cphill
Member
Registered: 2019-11-06
Posts: 3

Re: Complex numbers

Let w = a + bi and z = c + di.  Then

\[\dfrac{w + z}{1 + wz} = \dfrac{a + c + bi + di}{1 + (a + bi)(c + di)}\]

To express this in rectangular form, we can multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate:

\[\dfrac{a + c + bi + di}{1 + (a + bi)(c + di)} = \dfrac{(a + c + bi + di)((1 - (a + bi)(c + di))}{(1 + (a + bi)(c + di))(1 - (a + bi)(c + di))}\]

The denominator simplifies to (1 - (a^2 + b^2)(c^2 + d^2)), which is real.  The numerator simplifies to a^2 - b^2 + c^2 - d^2, which is also real.  Therefore, the complex number (w + z)/(1 + wz) is real.

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB