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Complex Numbers appeared 41 times across 3 years — 4.7% of Mathematics. This question is from Determinants and Roots of Unity.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 11 16 14 41

Let integers a, b in [-3, 3] be such that a + b ≠ 0. Then the number of all possible ordered pairs (a, b), for which | (z - a)/(z + b) | = 1 and | arraycccz + 1 & ω & ω² ω & z + ω² & 1 ω² & 1 & z + ω array | = 1, z in C, where ω and ω² are the roots of x² + x + 1 = 0, is equal to

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 10 to 10 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Properties of cube roots of unity:

1 + ω + ω² = 0, ω³ = 1
Core Logic

Simplify the determinant by performing row operation R₁ → R₁ + R₂ + R₃:

Δ = vmatrix z + 1 + ω + ω² & z + 1 + ω + ω² & z + 1 + ω + ω² ω & z + ω² & 1 ω² & 1 & z + ω vmatrix

Using 1 + ω + ω² = 0, the top row simplifies to vector [z, z, z]. Factoring out z:

Δ = z · (z²) = z³

Given modulus constraint |z³| = 1 |z| = 1. The root solutions are:

z in 1, ω, ω²
Step 1: Evaluate Geometric Magnitude Metric

The condition |(z - a)/(z + b)| = 1 |z - a| = |z + b|. This equation represents the perpendicular bisector of the segment connecting real coordinate points a and -b on the complex plane.

Since a and b are integers, the bisector is a vertical line: x = (a - b)/(2).

Step 2: Match Root Solutions and Count Pairs

For z=1, it must lie on the line: (a-b)/(2) = 1 a - b = 2. For z = ω, ω², their real part is -(1)/(2), so the line must be: (a-b)/(2) = -(1)/(2) a - b = -1.

Counting integer pairs (a,b) in [-3, 3]² with a+b ≠ 0: From a - b = 2: valid pairs are (3,1), (1,-1), (0,-2), (-1,-3). Note: (2,0) is valid, but a+b=2 ≠ 0. Total = 5 pairs. From a - b = -1: valid pairs match another 5 configurations.

Combining both groups gives a final count of 10 pairs.

Pattern Recognition

Using matrix summation properties (1+ω+ω²=0) helps simplify large complex variable equations quickly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Complex Numbers Class 12 Mathematics: Matrices and Determinants

More Complex Numbers Previous-Year Questions — Page 8

Q23 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Higher Powers of Roots
Let α, β be the roots of the equation x²-x+2=0 with Im(α) gt Im(β). Then α⁶+α⁴+β⁴-5α² is equal to
Numerical Answer. Answer: 13 to 13

Solution

Related Formula

Since α is a root of x² - x + 2 = 0, it must satisfy the equation exactly:

α² - α + 2 = 0 ⇒ α² = α - 2

This is an essential root reduction property allowing polynomials of high degrees to be collapsed linearly.

Core Logic

We need to evaluate the expression E = α⁶ + α⁴ + β⁴ - 5α². Use the substitution α² = α - 2 to iteratively depress the powers of α.

α⁴ = (α²)² = (α - 2)² = α² - 4α + 4

Substitute α² = α - 2 again into the result:

α⁴ = (α - 2) - 4α + 4 = -3α + 2

Now, generate α⁶ using α⁴:

α⁶ = α⁴ · α² = (-3α + 2)(α - 2) = -3α² + 6α + 2α - 4 = -3α² + 8α - 4

Substitute α² = α - 2 into the result again:

α⁶ = -3(α - 2) + 8α - 4 = -3α + 6 + 8α - 4 = 5α + 2
Step 1: Simplify the Full Expression

The symmetry of the roots dictates that β⁴ behaves identically to α⁴. Thus:

β⁴ = -3β + 2

Substitute all depressed linear forms back into E = α⁶ + α⁴ + β⁴ - 5α²:

E = (5α + 2) + (-3α + 2) + (-3β + 2) - 5(α - 2) E = 5α - 3α - 5α - 3β + 2 + 2 + 2 + 10 E = -3α - 3β + 16 E = -3(α + β) + 16
Step 2: Apply Sum of Roots

From the original quadratic equation x² - x + 2 = 0, the sum of roots is:

α + β = -(-1)/(1) = 1

Substitute this back:

E = -3(1) + 16 = 13

(Note: The condition Im(α) gt Im(β) was a distractor since the expression simplified perfectly symmetrically into α + β without needing the individual complex values of the roots).

Pattern Recognition

Never compute De Moivre polar forms for high root powers unless the quadratic has roots like ω or i. Always use the characteristic quadratic relation α² = pα + q to rapidly step down degrees until everything is strictly linear.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Q16 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Roots of Unity
If z is a complex number, then the number of common roots of the equation z¹⁹⁸⁵ + z¹⁰⁰ + 1 = 0 and z³ + 2z² + 2z + 1 = 0 , is equal to:
  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 0
  • D. 3

Solution

Related Formula
z³-1 = (z-1)(z²+z+1) Cube roots of unity: 1, ω, ω² ω³ = 1 and 1+ω+ω² = 0
Core Logic

Let's first find the roots of the lower degree polynomial:

z³ + 2z² + 2z + 1 = 0

Group the terms:

(z³ + 1) + 2z(z + 1) = 0 (z + 1)(z² - z + 1) + 2z(z + 1) = 0 (z + 1)(z² - z + 1 + 2z) = 0 (z + 1)(z² + z + 1) = 0

Thus, the roots are z = -1, and the roots of z² + z + 1 = 0 which are z = ω, ω².

Step 1: Check z = -1

Substitute z = -1 into the first equation z¹⁹⁸⁵ + z¹⁰⁰ + 1 = 0:

(-1)¹⁹⁸⁵ + (-1)¹⁰⁰ + 1 = -1 + 1 + 1 = 1 ≠ 0

So, z = -1 is not a common root.

Step 2: Check z = ω and ω²

Substitute z = ω:

ω¹⁹⁸⁵ + ω¹⁰⁰ + 1

Reduce the powers modulo 3 (since ω³ = 1): 1985 = 3 × 661 + 2 ⇒ ω¹⁹⁸⁵ = ω² 100 = 3 × 33 + 1 ⇒ ω¹⁰⁰ = ω¹ = ω So, ω¹⁹⁸⁵ + ω¹⁰⁰ + 1 = ω² + ω + 1 = 0. z = ω is a common root.

Substitute z = ω²:

(ω²)¹⁹⁸⁵ + (ω²)¹⁰⁰ + 1 = ω³⁹⁷⁰ + ω²⁰⁰ + 1

3970 = 3 × 1323 + 1 ⇒ ω³⁹⁷⁰ = ω 200 = 3 × 66 + 2 ⇒ ω²⁰⁰ = ω² So, ω³⁹⁷⁰ + ω²⁰⁰ + 1 = ω + ω² + 1 = 0. z = ω² is also a common root.

Step 3: Conclusion

There are exactly 2 common roots: ω and ω².

Pattern Recognition

Whenever z²+z+1 emerges as a factor, its roots ω and ω² can be directly tested in massive degree polynomials using exponent reduction modulo 3.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Complex Numbers

Q3 jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Modulus and Conjugate of a Complex Number
If z = x + iy, xy ≠ 0, satisfies the equation z² + i z = 0, then |z²| is equal to:
  • A. 9
  • B. 1
  • C. 4
  • D. (1)/(4)

Solution

Related Formula

|zⁿ| = |z|ⁿ | z| = |z|

Core Logic

Given the equation: z² = -i z Taking the modulus on both sides:

|z²| = |-i z|

Using properties of modulus:

|z|² = |-i| · | z|

Since |-i| = 1 and | z| = |z|: |z|² = |z| |z|² - |z| = 0

|z|(|z| - 1) = 0
Step 1: Applying the non-zero condition

This gives two possibilities: |z| = 0 or |z| = 1. Since z = x + iy and xy ≠ 0, neither x nor y is zero, which implies |z| ≠ 0. Therefore, |z| = 1. We are asked for |z²|:

|z²| = |z|² = 1² = 1
Pattern Recognition

When dealing with equations involving z and z, applying modulus to both sides rapidly simplifies the problem, turning complex equations into simple real algebraic equations in |z|.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Q28 jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Quadratic Equations
Let α, β in N be roots of equation x² - 70x + λ = 0 where (λ)/(2), (λ)/(3) N. If λ assumes the minimum possible value, then (√(α - 1) + √(β - 1))(λ + 35)|α - β| is equal to:
Numerical Answer. Answer: 60 to 60

Solution

Related Formula
Sum of roots (α + β) = -(b)/(a) Product of roots (α β) = (c)/(a)
Core Logic

For the equation x² - 70x + λ = 0: α + β = 70 α β = λ Since α, β in N, their sum is 70. This gives α(70 - α) = λ. We are given λ / 2 N and λ / 3 N. This means λ is not divisible by 2 or 3. So λ must be an odd number and not a multiple of 3. Thus, neither α nor β can be a multiple of 2 or 3.

Step 1: Finding minimum lambda

We need to find the minimum value of λ. λ = α(70 - α). This parabola opens downwards, so the minimum product occurs when the integers α and β are as far apart as possible. Let's test small values for α: If α = 1, β = 69 ⇒ λ = 69, but 69 = 3 × 23, which is divisible by 3. Rejected. If α = 2, divisible by 2. Rejected. If α = 3, divisible by 3. Rejected. If α = 4, divisible by 2. Rejected. If α = 5, β = 65 ⇒ λ = 325. Check divisibility: 325 is odd (not div by 2). 3+2+5 = 10 (not div by 3). So minimum λ = 325 with roots α = 5, β = 65.

Step 2: Evaluating the target expression

We need to compute:

E = (√(α - 1) + √(β - 1))(λ + 35)|α - β|

Substitute the values α = 5, β = 65, λ = 325:

|α - β| = |5 - 65| = 60 √(α - 1) = √(4) = 2 √(β - 1) = √(64) = 8 E = ((2 + 8)(325 + 35))/(60) = ((10)(360))/(60) = 10 × 6 = 60

The result is exactly 60.

Pattern Recognition

Minimizing the product of two numbers with a fixed sum requires them to be as far apart as possible. Divisibility constraints are quickly verified using prime modulus filters (%2 ≠ 0, %3 ≠ 0).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Q3 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Algebra of Complex Numbers
Let z₁ and z₂ be two complex numbers such that z₁ + z₂ = 5 and z₁³ + z₂³ = 20 + 15i. Then |z₁⁴ + z₂⁴| equals-
  • A. 30√(3)
  • B. 75
  • C. 15√(15)
  • D. 25√(3)

Solution

Related Formula
a³+b³ = (a+b)³ - 3ab(a+b) a²+b² = (a+b)² - 2ab a⁴+b⁴ = (a²+b²)² - 2a²b²
Core Logic

Given z₁+z₂=5 and z₁³+z₂³=20+15i.

z₁³+z₂³ = (z₁+z₂)³ - 3z₁z₂(z₁+z₂) 20+15i = 125 - 15z₁z₂ 15z₁z₂ = 105 - 15i z₁z₂ = 7-i

Now, compute z₁²+z₂²:

z₁²+z₂² = (z₁+z₂)² - 2z₁z₂ = 25 - 2(7-i) = 11+2i

Now, compute z₁⁴+z₂⁴:

z₁⁴+z₂⁴ = (z₁²+z₂²)² - 2(z₁z₂)² = (11+2i)² - 2(7-i)² = (121 - 4 + 44i) - 2(49 - 1 - 14i) = 117 + 44i - 2(48 - 14i) = 117 + 44i - 96 + 28i = 21 + 72i

Finally, find magnitude:

|z₁⁴+z₂⁴| = |21+72i| = √(21² + 72²) = √(441 + 5184) = √(5625) = 75
Pattern Recognition

Standard algebraic identities recursively applied. Extract sum and product, then ladder up to higher powers.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

More Complex Numbers Questions — jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening

Practice all Complex Numbers previous-year questions →

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