# Find solutions of z bar = z^2

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• August 28th 2011, 11:40 AM
CaptainBlack
Re: Find solutions of z bar = z^2
Quote:

Originally Posted by terrorsquid
Im trying find all solutions for: $\bar{z}=z^2$

Work in polar form.

$\overline{z}=z^2$,

so:

$|\overline{z}|=|z|=|z^2|=|z|^2$

so for non-zeros solutions $|z|=1$, and $z=e^{i\theta}$ for some $\theta \in [0,\2\pi)$

Then:

$\overline{z}=e^{-i\theta}=z^2=e^{2i\theta}$

etc

CB
• August 28th 2011, 08:04 PM
terrorsquid
Re: Find solutions of z bar = z^2
Can someone explain how $|\bar{z}|$ gives you $|z|^2$ ? I can see that $z\bar{z} =|z|^2$ but how does $|z| = |z|^2$ ?
• August 28th 2011, 08:07 PM
CaptainBlack
Re: Find solutions of z bar = z^2
Quote:

Originally Posted by terrorsquid
Can someone explain how $|\bar{z}|$ gives you $|z|^2$ ? I can see that $z\bar{z} =|z|^2$ but how does $|z| = |z|^2$ ?

You are looking for solutions to:

$\overline{z}=z^2$

now just take absolute values and use $|z^2|=|z|^2.$

CB
• August 29th 2011, 12:40 AM
terrorsquid
Re: Find solutions of z bar = z^2
Oh, right. I think I misread an equation earlier. $\bar{z} = |z|$ so the new equation is:

$|z| = |z|^2$

I read a comment as $|z| = |z|^2$ as an identity separate to my equation - nevermind :S

Thanks.

Out of curiosity how would you derive these solutions if I converted the original equation into:

$r(cos(\theta) - isin(\theta)) = [r(cos(\theta)+isin(\theta))]^2$

can you?
• August 29th 2011, 02:50 AM
HallsofIvy
Re: Find solutions of z bar = z^2
Quote:

Originally Posted by terrorsquid
So applying this geometrically I would have a solution set of $cos(0+\frac{2\pi k}{3})$ where $k = 0, 1, 2$

Which is the same as the $z = 1$, $z=-\frac{1}{2}+i\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ and $z=-\frac{1}{2}-i\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

But where does the z = 0 fit in?

These are the solutions assuming z was NOT 0. Since you have already determined that z= 0 satisfies the original equation, it has four solutions.
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