Locus of a complex number
Let z = x + iy and P(x, y) ≡ z. The locus (plural loci) of the point P is a set of points in the
complex plane which satisfies a given condition. For example, the locus of points that are at a
fixed distance from a fixed point is a circle. There are four standard forms for the locus of a
complex number in the Argand diagram. When identifying a locus, there is a variable complex
number z, a fixed complex number and a condition placed on the variable number. The condition
is generally the modulus or argument.
Circles
Let c ε ℂ and r ε ℝ. The locus of z satisfying the condition |z − c| = r is a circle with centre c and
radius r.
NB: When using the equation, make sure that the coefficient of zis 1 and the complex number c
is governed by the negative sign.
Questions:
1. Describe and sketch the locus of z where |𝑧 − 1 − 𝑖| = 2 .
2. Describe and sketch the locus of z where |z − 2 + i| = 1.
3. Describe and sketch the locus of z where |z + 2 + 4i| = 2.
4. Sketch on an Argand diagram the locus of points such that |𝑧 − 2𝑖| = 3.
Perpendicular bisector of a line segment
Let a, b ε ℂ. The locus of z satisfying the condition |z − a| = |z − b| is the perpendicular bisector
of the line joining a to b.
Questions:
1. Describe and sketch the locus of z satisfying the condition |z − 1 + i| = |z − 1 − i|.
2. Describe and sketch the locus of z satisfying the condition |z − 2 − 2i| = |z + i|.
3. Describe and sketch the locus of z satisfying the condition |z + 1 + 2i| = |z − 1 + 3i|.
| | |
4. Describe the locus of the points on the Argand diagram given by 𝑧 − 𝑧1 = 𝑧 − 𝑧2 |
where z represents the point P(𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦), 𝑧1 = 2 + 2𝑖 and 𝑧2 =− 4 − 𝑖.
Half-line
Let a ε ℂ, and the angle θ be measured in radians. The locus of z satisfying the condition
arg (z − a) = θ is a half-line starting at a (but excluding a) and making an angle of θ radians with
the positive real axis.
Questions:
π
1. Describe and sketch the locus of z where arg (z − 1 − i) = 4
.
3π
2. Describe and sketch the locus of z where arg (z + 1 + i) = 4
.
π
3. Describe and sketch the locus of z where arg (z + 2 + 3i) = 6
.
π
4. Describe the locus of points on the Argand diagram given by 𝑎𝑟𝑔 (𝑧) = 4
.
Intersecting Loci
Questions:
1. On a single Argand diagram, sketch the following loci.
π π
(a) arg (z − 1) = 2
(b) arg (z) = 3
Hence or otherwise find the exact value of z satisfying both equations.
2. On a single Argand diagram sketch the loci given by
π
(a) |z − 2 − 2i| = 1 (b) arg (z) = 4
Hence, find the exact values of all complex numbers z satisfying both (a) and (b).
3. Find, in the form 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 , the complex number that satisfies both |𝑧| = 2 and
π
𝑎𝑟𝑔 (𝑧) = 3
.
4. Find the complex numbers that satisfy the equations |𝑧 − 4| = |𝑧 + 2| and
|𝑧 − 2 − 𝑖| = 4.
Cartesian Form of Loci
Questions:
1. Find in Cartesian form the equation of the locus of z where |z − 1 − i| = 2. Describe the
locus of z.
2. Find in Cartesian form the locus of z where |z − 1 + i| = |z + 2 + 3i|.
3. The locus of a variable complex number z is |z − 2 + i| = 2|z − 1 − i|. Find the locus of z
in Cartesian form.
