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NCERT Exemplar · Q24

Q.The real value of α\alpha for which the expression 1−isin⁡α1+2isin⁡α\dfrac{1-i\sin\alpha}{1+2i\sin\alpha} is purely real is:
(A) (n+1)π2(n+1)\dfrac{\pi}{2}
(B) (2n+1)π2(2n+1)\dfrac{\pi}{2}
(C) nπn\pi
(D) None of these, where n∈Nn\in\mathbf{N}

Telangana TsbieMCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★est
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A complex number is purely real if its imaginary part is zero, or equivalently, if it equals its conjugate. Setting the given expression equal to its conjugate leads to sin⁡α=0\sin\alpha = 0, which means α=nπ\alpha = n\pi.

Concept and Intuition

A complex number zz is said to be purely real if its imaginary part is zero. That is, if z=x+iyz = x + iy, then zz is purely real if y=0y=0.

There are two main ways to approach this problem:

  1. Rationalize the denominator: Convert the complex fraction into the standard form x+iyx+iy by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. Then, set the imaginary part yy to zero.
  2. Use the property z=zˉz = \bar{z}: A complex number zz is purely real if and only if zz is equal to its complex conjugate zˉ\bar{z}. This method is often more elegant and less prone to algebraic errors when dealing with complex fractions.

We will use the second method, z=zˉz = \bar{z}, as it directly leverages a fundamental property of purely real numbers and simplifies the algebra.

A complex number zz is purely real if and only if z=zˉz = \bar{z}.

Step-by-step Derivation

  1. Define the complex expression and its conjugate: Let the given complex expression be zz.

z=1−isin⁡α1+2isin⁡αz = \dfrac{1-i\sin\alpha}{1+2i\sin\alpha}

The complex conjugate of $z$, denoted $\bar{z}$, is found by changing the sign of every imaginary part. For a fraction $\frac{A}{B}$, its conjugate is $\frac{\bar{A}}{\bar{B}}$.

zˉ=(1−isin⁡α1+2isin⁡α)‾=1−isin⁡α‾1+2isin⁡α‾=1+isin⁡α1−2isin⁡α\bar{z} = \overline{\left(\dfrac{1-i\sin\alpha}{1+2i\sin\alpha}\right)} = \dfrac{\overline{1-i\sin\alpha}}{\overline{1+2i\sin\alpha}} = \dfrac{1+i\sin\alpha}{1-2i\sin\alpha}

  1. Apply the condition for a purely real number: For zz to be purely real, we must have z=zˉz = \bar{z}.

1−isin⁡α1+2isin⁡α=1+isin⁡α1−2isin⁡α\dfrac{1-i\sin\alpha}{1+2i\sin\alpha} = \dfrac{1+i\sin\alpha}{1-2i\sin\alpha}

  1. Cross-multiply and expand: Multiply both sides by (1+2isin⁡α)(1−2isin⁡α)(1+2i\sin\alpha)(1-2i\sin\alpha) to clear the denominators.

(1−isin⁡α)(1−2isin⁡α)=(1+isin⁡α)(1+2isin⁡α)(1-i\sin\alpha)(1-2i\sin\alpha) = (1+i\sin\alpha)(1+2i\sin\alpha)

Now, expand both sides using the distributive property (or FOIL method):
Left Hand Side (LHS):

1(1)+1(−2isin⁡α)+(−isin⁡α)(1)+(−isin⁡α)(−2isin⁡α)1(1) + 1(-2i\sin\alpha) + (-i\sin\alpha)(1) + (-i\sin\alpha)(-2i\sin\alpha)

=1−2isin⁡α−isin⁡α+2i2sin⁡2α= 1 - 2i\sin\alpha - i\sin\alpha + 2i^2\sin^2\alpha

Since $i^2 = -1$:

=1−3isin⁡α−2sin⁡2α= 1 - 3i\sin\alpha - 2\sin^2\alpha

Right Hand Side (RHS):

1(1)+1(2isin⁡α)+(isin⁡α)(1)+(isin⁡α)(2isin⁡α)1(1) + 1(2i\sin\alpha) + (i\sin\alpha)(1) + (i\sin\alpha)(2i\sin\alpha)

=1+2isin⁡α+isin⁡α+2i2sin⁡2α= 1 + 2i\sin\alpha + i\sin\alpha + 2i^2\sin^2\alpha

Since $i^2 = -1$:

=1+3isin⁡α−2sin⁡2α= 1 + 3i\sin\alpha - 2\sin^2\alpha

  1. Equate LHS and RHS and solve for sin⁡α\sin\alpha: Set the expanded LHS equal to the expanded RHS:

1−3isin⁡α−2sin⁡2α=1+3isin⁡α−2sin⁡2α1 - 3i\sin\alpha - 2\sin^2\alpha = 1 + 3i\sin\alpha - 2\sin^2\alpha

Notice that the terms $1$ and $-2\sin^2\alpha$ appear on both sides. We can subtract them from both sides:
$$-3i\sin\alpha = 3i\sin\alpha$$ …

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