Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
What is the maximum value of |e^{iθ}-2| + |e^{iθ}+2| for 0\leq θ \leq 2\pi?
-
×
\sqrt{5}
-
×
4
-
✓
2\sqrt{5}
-
×
10
What is the maximum value of |e^{iθ}-2| + |e^{iθ}+2| for 0\leq θ \leq 2\pi?
\sqrt{5}
4
2\sqrt{5}
10
Absolute of a complex number or modulus is defined as
|a+bi| = \sqrt{a^2+b^2}
e^{iθ} = \cosθ +i\sinθ
Let x = |e^{iθ}-2| + |e^{iθ}+2|
Then
x=\sqrt{(\cosθ+2)^2+\sin^2θ} +\sqrt{(\cosθ-2)^2+\sin^2θ}
=\sqrt{5+2\cosθ} +\sqrt{5-2\cosθ}
Squaring both sides of the equation gives
x^2 = 10+2\sqrt{5^2-4\cos^2θ}
which shows x has maximum value when \cosθ=0. Then we have,
x_{max}^2 = 20
x_{max} = 2\sqrt{5}
Therefore, C is the right choice.