Let a and b be complex numbers satisfying the two equations a3−3ab2=36 and b3−3ba2=28i. Let M be the maximum possible magnitude of a. Find all a such that ∣a∣=M.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Notice that (a−bi)3=a3−3a2bi−3ab2+b3i=(a3−3ab2)+(b3−3ba2)i=36+i(28i)=8 so that a−bi=2+i. Additionally (a+bi)3=a3+3a2bi−3ab2−b3i=(a3−3ab2)−(b3−3ba2)i=36−i(28i)=64. It follows that a−bi=2ω and a+bi=4ω′ where ω,ω′ are third roots of unity. So a=ω+2ω′. From the triangle inequality ∣a∣≤∣ω∣+∣2ω′∣=3, with equality when ω and ω′ point in the same direction (and thus ω=ω′ ). It follows that a=3,3ω,3ω2, and so a=3,−23+23i3,−23−23i3.
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