2012 AIME II Problem 6

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6.

Let z=a+biz = a + bi be the complex number with z=5|z| = 5 and b>0b \gt 0 such that the distance between (1+2i)z3(1 + 2i)z^3 and z5z^5 is maximized, and let z4=c+di.z^4 = c + di. Find c+d.c + d.

Answer: 125
Concepts:complex numberoptimization
Difficulty rating: 2510
Solution:

The distance is (1+2i)z3z5|(1 + 2i)z^3 - z^5| =z31+2iz2= |z|^3 \cdot |1 + 2i - z^2| =1251+2iz2.= 125\,|1 + 2i - z^2|. As zz runs over the circle z=5|z| = 5 with b>0,b \gt 0, the square z2z^2 attains every point of the circle w=25|w| = 25 (the condition b>0b \gt 0 merely selects one of the two square roots). The point of that circle farthest from 1+2i1 + 2i is diametrically opposite in direction: z2=251+2i1+2i=55(1+2i). \begin{aligned} z^2 &= -25 \cdot \frac{1 + 2i}{|1 + 2i|} \\ &= -5\sqrt{5}\,(1 + 2i). \end{aligned}

Squaring, z4=125(1+2i)2z^4 = 125\,(1 + 2i)^2 =125(3+4i)= 125\,(-3 + 4i) =375+500i,= -375 + 500i, so c+d=375+500=125.c + d = -375 + 500 = 125.

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