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Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
In the complex plane, form, in some order, three of the vertices of a non-degenerate square. Enter all possible areas of the square, separated by commas.
Solution
First, consider the case where is between and The diagram may look like the following:
The arrows in the diagram correspond to the complex numbers and which are at angle to each other. Thus, we can obtain one complex number by multiplying the other by Here,
Another possible diagram is as follows:
Here, Thus, we can combine both equations as We can factor as Since the square is nondegenerate, and We can then safely divide both sides by to get For the area of the square is For the area of the square is Another case is where is between and
This gives us the equation We can factor as Then
For the area of the square is For , the area of the square is The final case is where is between and
This gives us the equation We can factor as Then Solving we find Then the area of the square is Solving we find Then the area of the square is Therefore, the possible areas of the square are
The arrows in the diagram correspond to the complex numbers and which are at angle to each other. Thus, we can obtain one complex number by multiplying the other by Here,
Another possible diagram is as follows:
Here, Thus, we can combine both equations as We can factor as Since the square is nondegenerate, and We can then safely divide both sides by to get For the area of the square is For the area of the square is Another case is where is between and
This gives us the equation We can factor as Then
For the area of the square is For , the area of the square is The final case is where is between and
This gives us the equation We can factor as Then Solving we find Then the area of the square is Solving we find Then the area of the square is Therefore, the possible areas of the square are
Final answer
\frac{5}{8}, 2, 10