Analyzing the Setup
Imagine you are standing on the Argand plane, looking at the complex number z=x+iy. We are given a rational expression w=2z+i2z−3i and told it is purely imaginary.
This is not just an algebraic constraint; it is a geometric one. A complex number is purely imaginary if and only if it lies on the vertical axis, meaning its real part is zero.
The Rationalization Journey
To find the real part of w, we must first substitute z=x+iy into the expression:
w=2(x+iy)+i2(x+iy)−3i=2x+i(2y+1)2x+i(2y−3)
To extract the real part, we multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator, which is 2x−i(2y+1).
When we multiply, the denominator becomes a real number, specifically (2x)2+(2y+1)2. We only care about the numerator's real part, which arises from the product of the real parts and the product of the imaginary parts (since i2=−1).
This leads us to the equation:
Expanding this, we get 4x2+4y2−4y−3=0. Dividing by 4, we find the locus of z is the circle:
The Intersection of Curves
We are also given the condition x+y2=0, which implies x=−y2. This represents a parabola.
We are looking for the intersection of this parabola and our circle. By substituting x=−y2 into our circle equation, we get:
This simplifies to the following polynomial:
Final Calculation
The question asks for the value of y4+y2−y. By simply moving the constant to the other side, we find the answer is 43.
It is a perfect example of how complex algebra and geometry dance together to reveal a simple, elegant truth.