Problem 7
Medium Algebra of Complex Numbers

Where do the points lie in the complex plane for which the…

Where do the points lie in the complex plane for which the following conditions are satisfied: $$ \begin{aligned} & 1^{\circ}\ \ 2<|z|<3,\ \ \frac{\pi}{4}<\varphi<\frac{\pi}{3}; \quad 2^{\circ}\ \ |z|>1,\ \ \frac{\pi}{3}<\varphi<\frac{\pi}{2}; \\ & 3^{\circ}\ \ |z-z_0|<1; \quad 4^{\circ}\ \ |z-i|<1\ \text{and}\ |z-1|<1; \quad 5^{\circ}\ \ |z|+\text{Re}(z)<2. \end{aligned} $$

Explanation of Method

Inequalities on $|z|$ describe regions bounded by circles (or annuli), inequalities on $\varphi = \arg z$ describe angular sectors, and inequalities on $|z-z_0|$ describe disks centered at $z_0$. Combined conditions ("and") describe the intersection of the individual regions. When an inequality mixes $|z|$ and $\text{Re}(z)$, substitute $z = x+iy$, isolate the square root, and square carefully (respecting the sign needed for squaring to be valid) to reveal the boundary curve.

Part 1° · $2 < |z| < 3,\ \ \dfrac{\pi}{4} < \varphi < \dfrac{\pi}{3}$

The modulus condition $2 < |z| < 3$ restricts points to the region strictly between the circles $|z|=2$ and $|z|=3$. The argument condition $\dfrac{\pi}{4} < \varphi < \dfrac{\pi}{3}$ (45° to 60°) restricts points to the angular sector between those two rays, in Quadrant I.

$$ \boxed{\text{annular sector: } 2<|z|<3 \text{ with } 45° < \varphi < 60°} $$

The boundary consists of the inner circle $|z|=2$, the outer circle $|z|=3$, and the two rays at angles $\frac{\pi}{4}$ and $\frac{\pi}{3}$ (none included, since all inequalities are strict).

Re Im

Annular sector: between circles $|z|=2$ and $|z|=3$, angles $45°$ to $60°$.

Part 2° · $|z| > 1,\ \ \dfrac{\pi}{3} < \varphi < \dfrac{\pi}{2}$

The condition $|z|>1$ excludes the closed unit disk, leaving everything outside the unit circle. Combined with $\dfrac{\pi}{3} < \varphi < \dfrac{\pi}{2}$ (60° to 90°), the region is an unbounded angular sector.

$$ \boxed{\text{unbounded sector: } |z|>1 \text{ with } 60° < \varphi < 90°} $$

It is bounded by the unit circle $|z|=1$, the ray at angle $\frac{\pi}{3}$, and the ray at angle $\frac{\pi}{2}$ (the positive imaginary axis), extending outward to infinity.

Re Im

Unbounded sector outside $|z|=1$, angles $60°$ to $90°$ (shaded portion shown; region continues outward).

Part 3° · $|z - z_0| < 1$

The expression $|z-z_0|$ is the distance from $z$ to the fixed point $z_0$. The condition $|z-z_0|<1$ says that distance is less than 1.

$$ \boxed{\text{open disk of radius } 1 \text{ centered at } z_0} $$

If $z_0 = x_0 + iy_0$, the region is $\{(x,y) : (x-x_0)^2 + (y-y_0)^2 < 1\}$ — the interior of the circle, not including the boundary.

$z_0$ Re Im

Open disk of radius $1$ centered at an arbitrary point $z_0$ (dashed boundary = excluded).

Part 4° · $|z - i| < 1$ and $|z - 1| < 1$

This is the simultaneous (intersection) of two open unit disks: one centered at $i = (0,1)$, the other centered at $1 = (1,0)$.

For $z = x+iy$: $|z-i|^2<1 \Rightarrow x^2+(y-1)^2<1$, and $|z-1|^2<1 \Rightarrow (x-1)^2+y^2<1$.

The distance between the two centers is $|i-1| = \sqrt{1^2+1^2} = \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414$. Since $\sqrt{2} < 1+1 = 2$ (sum of the radii), the circles overlap, and the intersection is a nonempty lens. Solving the two circle equations simultaneously shows the circles meet exactly at $z=0$ and $z=1+i$.

$$ \boxed{\text{lens-shaped intersection of the two open unit disks centered at } i \text{ and } 1} $$

0 $1+i$ Re Im center $i$ center $1$

Lens intersection of the unit disks centered at $i$ and $1$, meeting at $z=0$ and $z=1+i$.

Part 5° · $|z| + \text{Re}(z) < 2$

Let $z = x+iy$. The condition becomes $\sqrt{x^2+y^2} + x < 2$, i.e. $\sqrt{x^2+y^2} < 2-x$.

For this to be meaningful we need $2-x>0$, i.e. $x<2$. Squaring both sides (valid since $2-x>0$):

$$ x^2+y^2 < (2-x)^2 = 4-4x+x^2 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad y^2 < 4-4x \quad\Longrightarrow\quad y^2 < 4(1-x) $$

Rewriting as $y^2 = -4(x-1)$ shows the boundary is a parabola opening to the left with vertex at $(1,0)$, and the region is its interior (the concave side, toward $x \to -\infty$).

$$ \boxed{y^2 < 4(1-x), \quad \text{i.e. the interior of the parabola } y^2 = 4(1-x) \text{ with vertex } (1,0)} $$

$(1,0)$ Re Im

Interior of the parabola $y^2 = 4(1-x)$, vertex at $(1,0)$, opening to the left.


Result

$$ \begin{aligned} 1^{\circ}\ &\text{Annular sector between } |z|=2 \text{ and } |z|=3,\ \ 45°\text{–}60° \\ 2^{\circ}\ &\text{Unbounded sector outside } |z|=1,\ \ 60°\text{–}90° \\ 3^{\circ}\ &\text{Open disk of radius } 1 \text{ centered at } z_0 \\ 4^{\circ}\ &\text{Lens-shaped intersection of unit disks centered at } i \text{ and } 1 \\ 5^{\circ}\ &\text{Interior of the parabola } y^2 = 4(1-x),\ \text{vertex } (1,0) \end{aligned} $$