Online Course Discussion Forum

Math Challenge III Algebra 2.4

 
 
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Math Challenge III Algebra 2.4
by James Shi - Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 11:58 AM
 

For problems 2.4, I decided to draw a triangle on the complex plane, like in the image below. I thought that using the law of cosines might give me a solution since the equation looks like the law of cosines. However, I could not solve the problem. Is this a bad strategy? If so, what other strategies could I try for this problem? Thank you.

 
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Re: Math Challenge III Algebra 2.4
by Dr. Kevin Wang - Thursday, July 9, 2020, 12:21 AM
 

Try to use the fact that

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

and use algebra.