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I am trying to solve this equation: $3z - i\overline{z}=7-5i$ and I am stuck.

I start with changing $z=a+bi$ and $\overline{z}=a-bi$
$3(a+bi) - i(a-bi)=7-5i$
$3a+3bi - (ia-bi^2)=7-5i$
$3a+3bi - ia+bi^2=7-5i$
$3a+3bi - ia-b=7-5i$

And now I don't really know what to do next but I have tried this:
$3a- ia+3bi -b=7-5i$
$a(3- i)+b(3i -1)=7-5i$
$a(3- i)+b(-1+3i )=7-5i$

How do I solve this? Thanks.

Ridertvis
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2 Answers2

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No need to go with the real and imaginary parts. If you know that $$ 3z-i\bar{z}=7-5i $$ then you know that the same relation holds also for the conjugates $$ 3\bar{z}+iz=7+5i $$ Multiply the second equation by $i$ and the first equation by $3$: \begin{cases} 9z-3i\bar{z}=21-15i \\[6px] -z+3i\bar{z}=7i-5 \end{cases} Can you finish?

egreg
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Collect the real terms and imaginary terms like so:

$$(3a-b)-(a+b)i = 7-5i$$

Now, compare the real terms on the left hand side to real terms on the right hand side: $3a-b=7$

Now, do the same for the imaginary terms: $a+b=5$

You can now solve these simultaneously to get the values of $a$ and $b$.

user743392
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