Study Material — 1 PYQs (2019–2019) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
AFCAT Complex Numbers is a frequently tested subtopic — 1 previous year questions from 2019–2019 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
1 questions from actual AFCAT papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12019Previous Year Pattern
If z = cos θ + i sin θ, then the value of z^n + 1/z^n is:
Concept Notes
Complex Numbers— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Complex numbers are numbers that contain both real and imaginary parts. They were created to solve equations like x² + 1 = 0, which has no real solution. A complex number is written as z = a + bi, where 'a' is the real part, 'b' is the imaginary part, and 'i' is the imaginary unit where i² = -1.
Key RulesCore rules you must know cold
The real part is denoted as Re(z) = a, and the imaginary part as Im(z) = b. Two complex numbers are equal only if their real parts are equal AND their imaginary parts are equal. The conjugate of z = a + bi is z* = a - bi. The modulus (absolute value) of z is |z| = √(a² + b²).
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
• Addition: (a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i
• Subtraction: (a + bi) - (c + di) = (a - c) + (b - d)i
• Multiplication: (a + bi)(c + di) = (ac - bd) + (ad + bc)i
• Powers of i: i¹ = i, i² = -1, i³ = -i, i⁴ = 1, then cycle repeats
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
Shortcut for Powers of i
Divide the power by 4. The remainder determines the answer: remainder 0 → 1, remainder 1 → i, remainder 2 → -1, remainder 3 → -i
Example
i²³ = i³ = -i (since 23 ÷ 4 gives remainder 3).
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Add real parts: 3 + 2 = 5
2
Step 2
Add imaginary parts: 4i + (-7i) = -3i
3
Step 3
Result = 5 - 3i
4
Step 4
Modulus = √(5² + (-3)²) = √(25 + 9) = √34
Worked Example 2: Multiply (1 + 2i)(3 - i).
1
Step 1
Use FOIL method: (1)(3) + (1)(-i) + (2i)(3) + (2i)(-i)
2
Step 2
= 3 - i + 6i - 2i²
3
Step 3
Since i² = -1, we get: 3 - i + 6i - 2(-1)
4
Step 4
= 3 - i + 6i + 2 = 5 + 5i
Division Shortcut: To divide complex numbers, multiply both numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. This eliminates the imaginary part from the denominator.
Most
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
Students forget that i² = -1 when expanding products. They often write i² = i or leave it as i². Always substitute i² = -1 immediately after multiplication.
Another frequent error is incorrectly finding the conjugate - remember to change only the sign of the imaginary part, not the real part.
Key Points to Remember
Complex number format: z = a + bi where a is real part, b is imaginary part
Imaginary unit: i² = -1, i³ = -i, i⁴ = 1, then pattern repeats every 4 powers
Modulus formula: |z| = √(a² + b²) for z = a + bi
Conjugate of a + bi is a - bi (change sign of imaginary part only)
For division, multiply by conjugate of denominator to rationalize
Two complex numbers equal only if real parts equal AND imaginary parts equal
Powers of i shortcut: divide power by 4, use remainder (0→1, 1→i, 2→-1, 3→-i)
Multiplication: (a + bi)(c + di) = (ac - bd) + (ad + bc)i
Addition/Subtraction: combine like terms (real with real, imaginary with imaginary)
Quadratic with negative discriminant gives complex roots: x = [-b ± √(b²-4ac)]/2a
Exam-Specific Tips
i² = -1 is the fundamental definition of imaginary unit