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Worked solution

Combine a conjugate ratio and product

Given that zz∗=−1\dfrac{z}{z^*}=-1 and zz∗=1zz^*=1, find the complex number zz.

CJC · Example 6

Method 1: Use the product in the denominator

Answer

z=±iz=\pm i.

Since zz∗=1zz^*=1, z≠0z\ne0. Multiply the ratio by z/z=1z/z=1:

zz∗=−1,zz⋅zz∗=−1,z2zz∗=−1,z2=−1,z=±i.\begin{aligned}\frac{z}{z^*}&=-1,\\\frac zz\cdot\frac{z}{z^*}&=-1,\\\frac{z^2}{zz^*}&=-1,\\z^2&=-1,\\z&=\pm i.\end{aligned}

Both values satisfy the original ratio and product.

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Method 2: Substitute for the conjugate

Answer

z=±iz=\pm i.

From z/z∗=−1z/z^*=-1, obtain z∗=−zz^*=-z (1). Substitute (1) into zz∗=1zz^*=1:

z(−z)=1,z2=−1,z=±i.\begin{aligned}z(-z)&=1,\\z^2&=-1,\\z&=\pm i.\end{aligned}

For z=iz=i or z=−iz=-i, the conjugate is −z-z, so z/z∗=−1z/z^*=-1 and zz∗=1zz^*=1.

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