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Let x and y be complex numbers. If x + y = 2 and xy = 5 - x^2 - y^2, then what is x^2 + y^2?

 Jul 30, 2024
 #1
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+1

Let's first focus on the first equation given.

Since we know that \((x+y)^2 = x^2+2xy+y^2\), squaring both sides on the first equation, we get that

\(x^2+2xy+y^2=4\)

 

Reaaranging the second equation a bit, we find that

\(x^2+xy+y^2=5\)

 

Wait! These two equations are quite similar to each other. Subtracting the second equation from the first equation, we get that

\(x^2+2xy+y^2=4\\ x^2+1xy+y^2=5 \space \space \space \space -\)

______________________

\(xy=-1\)

 

Now, let's look at the second equation again. We know that

\(x^2+xy+y^2=5\\ x^2+y^2=5-xy\\ x^2+y^2=5-(-1) = 6\)

 

So the answer is 6...i think

 

Thanks! :)

 Jul 30, 2024
edited by NotThatSmart  Jul 30, 2024

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