NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Exercise 4.1 - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers And Quadratic Equations Ex 4.1
1. What is the standard form of a complex number as per the NCERT textbook for Class 11 Maths?
As per the NCERT Class 11 Maths textbook for the 2025-26 session, any complex number, denoted by z, is expressed in the standard form a + ib. In this form, 'a' is the real part, denoted as Re(z), and 'b' is the imaginary part, denoted as Im(z). The term 'i' represents the imaginary unit, which is equal to the square root of -1 (√-1).
2. How do you find the multiplicative inverse of a complex number in NCERT Solutions for Chapter 4?
To find the multiplicative inverse of a non-zero complex number z = a + ib, you use the formula: z⁻¹ = a/(a² + b²) + i(-b/(a² + b²)). This is derived by multiplying the numerator and denominator of 1/(a + ib) by its conjugate (a - ib). The NCERT solutions for Chapter 4 provide step-by-step examples of this correct method.
3. What is the correct method to express a power of 'i', such as i⁻³⁹, in the standard form a + ib?
The correct method involves using the cyclical nature of powers of i (i¹=i, i²=-1, i³=-i, i⁴=1). The steps are as follows:
- First, make the exponent positive: i⁻³⁹ = 1/i³⁹.
- Next, express the exponent in terms of a multiple of 4: i³⁹ = i^(4*9 + 3) = (i⁴)⁹ * i³.
- Since i⁴ = 1, this simplifies to 1⁹ * i³ = i³.
- We know i³ = -i. So, 1/i³⁹ becomes 1/(-i).
- To simplify, multiply the numerator and denominator by i: (1 * i) / (-i * i) = i / (-i²) = i / (-(-1)) = i.
- The final standard form is 0 + 1i.
4. How do you solve a quadratic equation that has complex roots, according to the CBSE pattern?
For a quadratic equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, you first calculate the discriminant (D), where D = b² - 4ac. If D < 0, the roots are complex. The solutions are found using the quadratic formula: x = [-b ± √D] / 2a. Since D is negative, we can write √D as √( |D| * -1) = i√|D|. The two complex roots will be [-b + i√|D|] / 2a and [-b - i√|D|] / 2a.
5. Why is every real number a complex number, but not every complex number is a real number?
This is because the set of complex numbers is a superset of real numbers. A complex number is in the form a + ib. A real number, like 5, can be written as 5 + 0i, where its imaginary part 'b' is zero. This fits the definition of a complex number. However, a complex number like 2 + 3i has a non-zero imaginary part, so it cannot be expressed as just a real number.
6. In the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 4, why is it necessary to use the Argand plane to represent complex numbers?
The Argand plane, or complex plane, is necessary because a complex number has two components: a real part (a) and an imaginary part (b). A simple one-dimensional number line can only represent real numbers. The Argand plane uses a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system where the x-axis represents the real part and the y-axis represents the imaginary part. This allows for a unique geometric visualisation of every complex number as a point (a, b).
7. What is the specific role of the conjugate when dividing two complex numbers?
The conjugate of a complex number (z = a + ib) is (z̄ = a - ib). Its primary role in division is to eliminate the imaginary part 'i' from the denominator. When you multiply a complex number by its conjugate, the result is always a real number: (a + ib)(a - ib) = a² + b². This process transforms the denominator into a real number, making it possible to express the final result in the standard a + ib form.
8. What are the main topics covered in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 4?
The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 4, "Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations," cover several key topics as per the 2025-26 CBSE syllabus. These include:
- The concept of the imaginary unit 'i' and its integral powers.
- Algebra of complex numbers: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Finding the modulus and conjugate of a complex number.
- The Argand plane and polar representation of complex numbers.
- Solving quadratic equations where the discriminant is negative, leading to complex roots.
9. Can the square root of a negative number be a real number? How does Chapter 4 address this?
No, the square root of a negative number cannot be a real number. The set of real numbers does not have a solution for expressions like √-1. Chapter 4 introduces the concept of imaginary numbers to solve this exact problem. It defines the imaginary unit 'i' as the solution to √-1. This extends the number system to complex numbers, allowing us to find solutions for any quadratic equation, regardless of the sign of its discriminant.
10. How do you apply the algebraic properties of complex numbers when solving problems in the NCERT exercises?
The NCERT exercises require applying several algebraic properties to simplify expressions. For instance:
- The commutative property (z₁ + z₂ = z₂ + z₁) and associative property (z₁ + (z₂ + z₃) = (z₁ + z₂) + z₃) for addition and multiplication allow you to regroup and reorder terms for easier calculation.
- The distributive property (z₁(z₂ + z₃) = z₁z₂ + z₁z₃) is fundamental for expanding expressions involving multiplication of complex numbers.
- Understanding the properties of the multiplicative identity (1) and additive identity (0) helps in simplifying complex equations step-by-step as shown in the solutions.











