If z is a complex number such that |z| 1, then the minimum value of |z+(1)/(2)(3+4 i)| is …

Question

If $z$ is a complex number such that $|z| \leqslant 1$, then the minimum value of $\left|z+\frac{1}{2}(3+4 i)\right|$ is :

Accepted Answer

To find the minimum value of $\left|z+\frac{1}{2}(3+4i)\right|$, where $z$ is a complex number with $|z| \leqslant 1$, we can think of this geometrically as the distance from any point inside or on the boundary of the unit circle in the complex plane to the fixed point $\frac{1}{2}(3+4i)$.

To make this more clear, first write the expression as follows:
$$\left|z+\frac{1}{2}(3+4i)\right| = \left|z+\frac{3}{2}+\frac{4}{2}i\right| = \left|z+1.5+2i\right|$$

This means we are looking for the distance between any point on the complex plane represented by $z$ (where $z$ has a magnitude of up to 1) and the point $1.5+2i$.

Since $z$ is within the unit circle, $|z| \leqslant 1$ and $|-1.5 - 2i| = \sqrt{1.5^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{2.25 + 4} = \sqrt{6.25} = 2.5$.

So now we have:
$$\left|z + 1.5 + 2i\right| \geqslant \left| 1 - 2.5 \right|$$

Which simplifies to:
$$\left|z + 1.5 + 2i\right| \geqslant 1.5$$

Therefore, the minimum value of $\left|z+\frac{1}{2}(3+4i)\right|$ given that $|z| \leqslant 1$ is $\frac{3}{2}$.

So the correct answer is:

Option C: $\frac{3}{2}$

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