Tuesday, 18 July 2017

How can I show vectors are parallel and perpendicular using complex variables?




I have a question which asks:



If vectors v1 and v2 have associated complex numbers z1 and z2 respectively then express, in terms of z1 and z2, the fact that the two vectors are a) parallel and b) perpendicular. Then, using this information, find the conditions necessary for 4 points, z1,z2,z3,z4 to constitute a parallelogram.





This should be super easy but I'm getting hung up.



My attempt at a solution:



If the vectors are perpendicular, z1z2=0 so x1x2+y1y2=0 or Re(z1)Im(z1)=Im(z2)Re(z2). I think this is fine, but I could be wrong.



If two vectors are parallel, their slopes should be equal, namely Im(z2)Im(z1)=Re(z2)Re(z1). I also believe this is correct, but I could still be mistaken.



The parallelogram part is where I'm getting confused. Suppose for convention that the line joining z1 and z3 is parallel to the line joining z2 and z4. Similarly for the line joining z1 and z2, and z3 and z4. For there to be a parallelogram, I know that the lengths of the sides must be equal, so |z4z2|=|z3z1| and |z4z3|=|z2z1|. This is fine.
However, how do I make sure the vectors constituting the parallel sides are, indeed, parallel?




Is it okay to use the parallel condition I used above if the vectors dont start at the origin? So, should I say that Im(z4z2)Im(z3z1)=Re(z4z2)Re(z3z1) for one pair of sides,and a similar expression for the other pair?



If I can make anything clearer please let me know.


Answer




If the vectors are perpendicular, z1z2=0 so x1x2+y1y2=0 or Re(z1)Im(z1)=Im(z2)Re(z2).




This can also be written as Re(z1ˉz2)=0, which is the same as arg(z1)arg(z2)=±π/2.





If two vectors are parallel, their slopes should be equal, namely Im(z2)Im(z1)=Re(z2)Re(z1).




This can also be written as Im(z1ˉz2)=0, same as arg(z1)arg(z2)=0 or π.




The parallelogram part is where I'm getting confused.





A quadrilateral is a parallelogram iff two opposite sides are parallel and equal. For z1z2z3z4 to be the vertices of a parallelogram (in this order) the necessary and sufficient condition is z2z1=z4z3. Another way to write it is z1+z3=z2+z4 which corresponds to the condition that the diagonals intersect in their respective midpoints.


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