Finding the complex square roots of a complex number without a calculator

Question

The complex number $z$ is given by $z = -1 + (4 \sqrt{3})i$

The question asks you to find the two complex roots of this number in the form $z = a + bi$ where $a$ and $b$ are real and exact without using a calculator.

So far I have attempted to use the pattern $z = (a+bi)^2$, and the subsequent expansion $z = a^2 + 2abi - b^2$. Equating $a^2 - b^2 = -1$, and $2abi = (4\sqrt{3})i$, but have not been able to find $a$ and $b$ through simultaneous equations.

How can I find $a$ and $b$ without a calculator?

Answer 1

The second equation can be written $ab=2\sqrt{3}$ which gives $b = \frac{2\sqrt{3}}{a}$. If we substitute back into the first equation we get $a^2 - \frac{12}{a^2} = -1 $. Multiplying both sides by $a^2$ gives $a^4 - 12 = - a^2$. This can be written as $a^4 + a^2 - 12 = 0$ which is a quadratic equation solvable for $a^2$.

Answer 2

Let$$ z^2=(x+yi)^2=−1+4\sqrt3i, $$ i.e.$$ (x^2-y^2)+2xyi=−1+4\sqrt3i. $$ Compare real parts and imaginary parts, $$ \begin{cases} x^2 - y^2 = -1&\qquad\qquad(1)\\ 2xy = 4\sqrt3&\qquad\qquad(2) \end{cases} $$ Now, consider the modulus: $|z|^2 =|z^2|$, then $$x^2 + y^2 = \sqrt{\smash[b]{(-1)^2+(4\sqrt3)^2}} = 7\tag3$$ Solving $(1)$ and $(3)$, we get $x^2 = 3\Rightarrow x = \pm\sqrt3$ and $y^2 = 4\Rightarrow y = \pm2$.

From $(2)$, $x$ and $y$ are of same sign, $$\begin{cases} x = \sqrt3\\ y = 2 \end{cases}\text{ or } \begin{cases} x = -\sqrt3\\ y = -2 \end{cases} $$ then$$z = \pm(\sqrt3 + 2i).$$

Answer 3

Observe that $\|z\| = \sqrt{(-1)^2+(4\sqrt3)^2} = \sqrt{49} = 7$. Therefore the root of $z$ will have length $\sqrt 7$, so $a^2+b^2=7$. Combine this with $a^2-b^2=-1$ to get $a$ and $b$.

Answer 4

Note that$$z=7\left(-\frac17+\frac{4\sqrt3}7i\right).\tag1$$Now, since $\left(-\frac17\right)^2+\left(\frac{4\sqrt3}7\right)^2=1$, the expression $(1)$ expresses $z$ as $7\bigl(\cos(\alpha)+\sin(\alpha)i\bigr)$, for some $\alpha$. So, a square root of $z$ is $\sqrt7\left(\cos\left(\frac\alpha2\right)+\sin\left(\frac\alpha2\right)i\right)$. Now, note that if $c=\cos\left(\frac\alpha2\right)$ and $s=\sin\left(\frac\alpha2\right)$, then $c^2+s^2=1$ and $c^2-s^2=\cos(\alpha)=-\frac17$. This allows you to compute the square roots of $z$.

Answer 5

One way is to write $z=r^2 e^{2\theta}$ and roots will be $re^\theta$ and $re^{\pi -\theta}$.

From $z =-1+4\sqrt{3}i$, we obtain $r=7$ and $\tan{2\theta} = \frac{2\tan\theta}{1-\tan^2\theta} = -4\sqrt{3}$. Second expression gives you a quadratic equation, $2\sqrt{3}\tan^2\theta -2\sqrt{3} + \tan\theta =0$.

Roots of the above quadratic equation are $\tan\theta= \sqrt{3}/2,-2/\sqrt{3}$ which form $\tan\theta$ and $\tan(\pi-\theta)$.

Hence, square roots of $z$ are $(1+\sqrt{3}/2i)\frac{7}{\sqrt{1+3/4}} = \sqrt{7}(2+\sqrt{3}i)$ and $(1-2/\sqrt{3}i)\frac{7}{\sqrt{1+4/3}} = \sqrt{7}(\sqrt{3}-2i)$.

Answer 6

That the square roots are $\pm(\sqrt 3 + 2i)$ can be seen by elementary algebra and trigonometry as follows. \begin{align} & \left|-1 + i4\sqrt 3\right| = \sqrt{(-1)^2 + (4\sqrt 3)^2 } = 7. \\[10pt] \text{Therefore } & -1+i4\sqrt 3 = 7(\cos\varphi + i\sin\varphi). \\[10pt] \text{Therefore } & \pm\sqrt{-1+i4\sqrt 3} = \pm\sqrt 7 \left( \cos \frac \varphi 2 + i \sin\frac\varphi 2 \right). \end{align}

Notice that $$ \sin \varphi = \frac{4\sqrt 3} 7 \quad \text{and} \quad \cos\varphi = \frac{-1} 7 $$ and recall that \begin{align} \tan\frac\varphi 2 & = \frac{\sin\varphi}{1+\cos\varphi} \\[12pt] \text{so we have }\tan\frac\varphi 2 & = \frac{4\sqrt 3}{7-1} = \frac 2 {\sqrt 3}. \\[10pt] \text{Therefore } \sin\frac\varphi2 & = \frac 2 {\sqrt 7} \quad \text{and} \quad \cos\frac\varphi2 = \frac{\sqrt3}{\sqrt7}. \end{align} Thus the desired square roots are $$ \pm \left( \sqrt 3 + 2i \right). $$