Accedmychevron_right11thchevron_rightmathchevron_rightComplex Numberschevron_rightExercise 1.5

Solution

Let z=x+iyz=x+iy.

z2=z+2|z-2|=|z+2| (x2)+iy=(x+2)+iy|(x-2)+iy|=|(x+2)+iy|

Square both sides:

(x2)2+y2=(x+2)2+y2(x-2)^2+y^2=(x+2)^2+y^2

Cancel y2y^2 and expand:

x24x+4=x2+4x+48x=0x=0\begin{aligned} x^2-4x+4&=x^2+4x+4\\ -8x&=0\\ x&=0 \end{aligned}

So zz is purely imaginary:

z=iy (i.e. x=0)\boxed{z=iy\ \text{(i.e. }x=0\text{)}}