Important Questions Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations 2026–27

Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations introduces students to i, complex numbers, modulus, conjugate, Argand plane and complex roots. For CBSE Class 11 Maths, Chapter 4 helps students solve quadratic equations that do not have real roots.

Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 explains why the real number system is extended to complex numbers. Students learn that i² = −1 and that a number of the form a + ib is called a complex number. The chapter also covers real part and imaginary part, powers of i, algebra of complex numbers, modulus, conjugate, multiplicative inverse, Argand plane and polar representation.

Use these Important Questions Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 to practise NCERT-based questions for the 2026–27 exams. Begin with definitions and powers of i, then move to operations, conjugates, modulus and roots of quadratic equations.

Key Takeaways

  • Chapter Name: Chapter 4 is Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations in the 2026–27 NCERT Class 11 Maths book.
  • Core Concept: A complex number is written as a + ib, where a and b are real numbers and i² = −1.
  • Important Topics: Powers of i, modulus, conjugate, multiplicative inverse, Argand plane and polar form are key areas.
  • Exam Focus: Students should practise simplification, standard form, complex roots and proof-based questions.

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Important Formulas for CBSE Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Before solving Important Questions for Class 11 Maths Chapter 4, revise these formulas. They help in simplifying powers of i, writing expressions in a + ib form and solving quadratic equations with complex roots.

Concept Formula Meaning
Complex number z = a + ib a is real part, b is imaginary part
iota i² = −1 i = √−1
Powers of i i⁴ᵏ = 1, i⁴ᵏ⁺¹ = i, i⁴ᵏ⁺² = −1, i⁴ᵏ⁺³ = −i k is an integer
Modulus |z| = √(a² + b²) z = a + ib
Conjugate z̄ = a − ib Conjugate of a + ib
Multiplicative inverse 1/z = z̄ / |z|² z ≠ 0
Quadratic formula x = [−b ± √(b² − 4ac)] / 2a For ax² + bx + c = 0

Very Short Answer Questions Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

These Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 questions test definitions, powers of i, real part, imaginary part and basic calculations.

Q1. What is the value of i²?

i² = −1

This is the basic property of iota.

Q2. Express √−25 in terms of i.

√−25 = √25 × √−1

= 5i

So, √−25 = 5i.

Q3. Write the real part and imaginary part of z = 7 − 4i.

For z = 7 − 4i,

Real part = 7

Imaginary part = −4

Q4. Find the value of i⁴.

i² = −1

i⁴ = (i²)² = (−1)² = 1

So, i⁴ = 1.

Q5. Find the value of i¹⁰.

i¹⁰ = i⁸ × i²

= (i⁴)² × i²

= 1² × (−1)

= −1

So, i¹⁰ = −1.

Q6. Find the conjugate of 6 + 5i.

The conjugate of a + ib is a − ib.

So, the conjugate of 6 + 5i is 6 − 5i.

Q7. Find the modulus of 3 + 4i.

For z = 3 + 4i,

|z| = √(3² + 4²)

= √(9 + 16)

= √25

= 5

Q8. What is the additive inverse of −2 + 7i?

The additive inverse of z is −z.

So, the additive inverse of −2 + 7i is 2 − 7i.

Q9. What is the multiplicative identity for complex numbers?

The multiplicative identity is 1 + 0i.

It is usually written as 1.

Q10. In which plane are complex numbers represented geometrically?

Complex numbers are represented in the Argand plane.

The horizontal axis is the real axis and the vertical axis is the imaginary axis.

Short Answer Questions Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

These Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations Class 11 important questions need 2 to 3 steps. Write the answer in standard form wherever required.

Q11. Express (3 + 2i) + (4 − 5i) in the form a + ib.

Add the real parts and imaginary parts separately.

(3 + 2i) + (4 − 5i)

= (3 + 4) + (2i − 5i)

= 7 − 3i

So, the answer is 7 − 3i.

Q12. Express (8 − 3i) − (2 + 5i) in the form a + ib.

Subtract real and imaginary parts.

(8 − 3i) − (2 + 5i)

= 8 − 3i − 2 − 5i

= 6 − 8i

So, the answer is 6 − 8i.

Q13. Express (2 + 3i)(4 − i) in the form a + ib.

Multiply the terms.

(2 + 3i)(4 − i)

= 8 − 2i + 12i − 3i²

= 8 + 10i − 3(−1)

= 11 + 10i

So, the answer is 11 + 10i.

Q14. Express (1 − i)² in the form a + ib.

(1 − i)² = 1² − 2i + i²

= 1 − 2i − 1

= −2i

So, the answer is 0 − 2i.

Q15. Find the value of i⁻³⁹.

Since powers of i repeat after every 4 powers,

i⁻³⁹ = 1 / i³⁹

Now, 39 divided by 4 leaves remainder 3.

So, i³⁹ = i³ = −i

Therefore,

i⁻³⁹ = 1 / (−i)

= −1/i

Multiply numerator and denominator by i.

= −i / i²

= −i / (−1)

= i

So, i⁻³⁹ = i.

Q16. Find the multiplicative inverse of 2 − 3i.

Let z = 2 − 3i.

The conjugate of z is 2 + 3i.

|z|² = 2² + (−3)² = 4 + 9 = 13

So,

1/z = z̄ / |z|²

= (2 + 3i) / 13

= 2/13 + 3i/13

Hence, the multiplicative inverse of 2 − 3i is 2/13 + 3i/13.

Q17. Express (5 + 2i) / (1 − 2i) in the form a + ib.

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate of 1 − 2i, which is 1 + 2i.

(5 + 2i) / (1 − 2i)

= [(5 + 2i)(1 + 2i)] / [(1 − 2i)(1 + 2i)]

Numerator:

(5 + 2i)(1 + 2i) = 5 + 10i + 2i + 4i²

= 5 + 12i − 4

= 1 + 12i

Denominator:

(1 − 2i)(1 + 2i) = 1 − (2i)²

= 1 − 4i²

= 1 + 4

= 5

So,

(5 + 2i) / (1 − 2i) = (1 + 12i) / 5

= 1/5 + 12i/5

Q18. If 4x + i(3x − y) = 3 − 6i, find x and y.

Equate real and imaginary parts.

Real parts:

4x = 3

x = 3/4

Imaginary parts:

3x − y = −6

Substitute x = 3/4.

3(3/4) − y = −6

9/4 − y = −6

−y = −6 − 9/4

−y = −33/4

y = 33/4

So, x = 3/4 and y = 33/4.

Q19. Find the modulus and conjugate of −5 − 12i.

For z = −5 − 12i,

Modulus:

|z| = √[(-5)² + (-12)²]

= √(25 + 144)

= √169

= 13

Conjugate:

z̄ = −5 + 12i

So, the modulus is 13 and the conjugate is −5 + 12i.

Q20. Solve x² + 4 = 0.

x² + 4 = 0

x² = −4

x = ±√−4

x = ±2i

So, the roots are 2i and −2i.

Long Answer Questions Class 11 Maths Chapter 4 Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

These Class 11 Maths Complex Numbers Important Questions need step-wise solutions. Use properties of i, conjugate, modulus and quadratic equations carefully.

Q21. Express (5 − 3i)³ in the form a + ib.

Use (a − b)³ = a³ − 3a²b + 3ab² − b³.

Here, a = 5 and b = 3i.

(5 − 3i)³

= 5³ − 3(5²)(3i) + 3(5)(3i)² − (3i)³

= 125 − 225i + 15(9i²) − 27i³

Now, i² = −1 and i³ = −i.

= 125 − 225i + 135(−1) − 27(−i)

= 125 − 225i − 135 + 27i

= −10 − 198i

So, (5 − 3i)³ = −10 − 198i.

Q22. Find the value of (1 − i)⁴.

First find (1 − i)².

(1 − i)² = 1 − 2i + i²

= 1 − 2i − 1

= −2i

Now,

(1 − i)⁴ = [(1 − i)²]²

= (−2i)²

= 4i²

= −4

So, (1 − i)⁴ = −4.

Q23. Prove that z z̄ = |z|² for z = a + ib.

Let z = a + ib.

Then, z̄ = a − ib.

Now,

z z̄ = (a + ib)(a − ib)

= a² − iab + iab − i²b²

= a² − i²b²

Since i² = −1,

= a² + b²

Also,

|z| = √(a² + b²)

So,

|z|² = a² + b²

Hence,

z z̄ = |z|²

Q24. If x + iy = (a + ib) / (a − ib), prove that x² + y² = 1.

Given,

x + iy = (a + ib) / (a − ib)

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate of denominator, a + ib.

x + iy = [(a + ib)(a + ib)] / [(a − ib)(a + ib)]

= (a + ib)² / (a² + b²)

= (a² + 2abi + i²b²) / (a² + b²)

= (a² − b² + 2abi) / (a² + b²)

So,

x = (a² − b²) / (a² + b²)

and

y = 2ab / (a² + b²)

Now,

x² + y²

= [(a² − b²)² / (a² + b²)²] + [4a²b² / (a² + b²)²]

= [(a² − b²)² + 4a²b²] / (a² + b²)²

= [a⁴ − 2a²b² + b⁴ + 4a²b²] / (a² + b²)²

= [a⁴ + 2a²b² + b⁴] / (a² + b²)²

= (a² + b²)² / (a² + b²)²

= 1

Hence proved.

Q25. Solve the quadratic equation x² + 2x + 5 = 0.

Compare x² + 2x + 5 = 0 with ax² + bx + c = 0.

Here,

a = 1, b = 2, c = 5

Discriminant:

D = b² − 4ac

= 2² − 4(1)(5)

= 4 − 20

= −16

Since D < 0, the roots are complex.

Using the quadratic formula,

x = [−b ± √D] / 2a

= [−2 ± √−16] / 2

= [−2 ± 4i] / 2

= −1 ± 2i

So, the roots are −1 + 2i and −1 − 2i.

Q26. Solve the quadratic equation 2x² + 3x + 5 = 0.

Here,

a = 2, b = 3, c = 5

D = b² − 4ac

= 3² − 4(2)(5)

= 9 − 40

= −31

Using the quadratic formula,

x = [−b ± √D] / 2a

= [−3 ± √−31] / 4

= [−3 ± i√31] / 4

So, the roots are:

x = (−3 + i√31) / 4 and x = (−3 − i√31) / 4

Q27. If one root of a quadratic equation with real coefficients is 3 + 2i, what is the other root?

For a quadratic equation with real coefficients, complex roots occur in conjugate pairs.

So, if one root is 3 + 2i, the other root is 3 − 2i.

Q28. Form a quadratic equation whose roots are 2 + 3i and 2 − 3i.

Let the roots be α = 2 + 3i and β = 2 − 3i.

Sum of roots:

α + β = (2 + 3i) + (2 − 3i) = 4

Product of roots:

αβ = (2 + 3i)(2 − 3i)

= 2² + 3²

= 4 + 9

= 13

The quadratic equation is:

x² − (sum of roots)x + product of roots = 0

x² − 4x + 13 = 0

Q29. Find the modulus of [(1 + i) / (1 − i)].

Let z = (1 + i) / (1 − i).

Multiply numerator and denominator by 1 + i.

z = [(1 + i)(1 + i)] / [(1 − i)(1 + i)]

= (1 + 2i + i²) / (1 − i²)

= (1 + 2i − 1) / (1 + 1)

= 2i / 2

= i

So,

|z| = |i| = 1

Q30. Represent z = 1 + i in polar form.

For z = 1 + i,

x = 1 and y = 1

Modulus:

r = √(1² + 1²)

= √2

Argument:

tan θ = y/x = 1/1 = 1

So, θ = π/4

Therefore, polar form is:

z = √2 (cos π/4 + i sin π/4)

Important Questions Class 11 Maths Chapter-Wise

Chapter No. Chapter Name
Chapter 1 Sets
Chapter 2 Relations and Functions
Chapter 3 Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 5 Linear Inequalities
Chapter 6 Permutations and Combinations
Chapter 7 Binomial Theorem
Chapter 8 Sequences and Series
Chapter 9 Straight Lines
Chapter 10 Conic Sections
Chapter 11 Introduction to Three Dimensional Geometry
Chapter 12 Limits and Derivatives
Chapter 13 Statistics
Chapter 14 Probability

Q.1
Let P(n) be the statement ?n3 + n is divisible by 3?, then the incorrect statement is
P(3).
P(6).
P(9).
P(11).
Marks:1

Ans
P(11) is the statement 113 + 11 is divisible by 3 i.e.,

1342 is divisible by 3, that is not true

Therefore, the statement P(11) is false.
Q.2
10n + 3.22n + 4 + 5 (for n = 4) is divisible by
7.
9.
11.
13.
Marks:1

Ans
P(n) = 10n + 3.22n + 4 + 5

Now we check for the value of n = 4 and we get,

P(4) = 104 + 3.212 + 5

= 10000 + 12288 + 5

= 22293

= 9 × 2477

Therefore, we can observe that ?10n + 3.22n + 4 + 5 (for n = 4) is divisible by 9.
Q.3
Using the principle of mathematical induction,prove that13.7+17.11+111.15+ ? +1(4n-1)(4n+3)=n3(4n+3) for?all?n?N
Marks:4

Ans
Let the given statement bePn:13.7+17.11+111.15+14n-14n+3=n34n+3 .1Test for n=1LHS= 13.7=121RHS=n34n+3=134+3=121Hence,

P1 is true. Let Pn is true for n=k then 1 becomes13.7+17.11+111.15++14k-14k+3=k34k+3 2Now,

we shall test for n=k+11 becomes13.7+1711+111.15+14k+34k+7=k+134k+73 LHS=13.7+17.11+111.15+14k-14k+3+14k+34k+7=k34k+3+14k+34k+7

Using 2=14k+3k3+14k+7=14k+34k2+7k+334k+7 =14k+34k+3k+134k+7 =k+134k+7=RHSPk+1 is true. Hence, Pn is true for all nN.
Q.4
Prove that : 2n > n for all positive integers n.
Marks:3

Ans
When n=1,21>1. Hence P1 is TrueAssuming Pk is True Pk:2k>kWe shall prove Pk+1 is Truei.e.,

Pk+1=2k+1>k+1 Pk+1=2k+1=2k 21=2k 22k.2>2k=k+k>k+1 2k+1>2k>k+1Pk+1 is TrueHence by principle induction Pn is true, for all nN.
Q.5
Prove that: 2.7n + 3.5n ? 5 is divisible by 24.
Marks:6

Ans
Let P n=2.7n+3.5n-5P1 =2.71+3.51-5 =14+15-5 =24P1 is true Assuming Pk is truePk =2.7k+3.5k-5 is divisible by 24We shall prove Pk+1 is truei.e.

Pk+1=2.7k+1+3.5k+1-5 is divisible by 242.7k+1+3.5k+1-5=24g let 1Pk+1=2.7k+1+3.5k+1-5 =2.7k.7+3.5k.5-5

=72.7k+3.5k-5-3.5k+5+3.5k.5-5 =724g-3.5k-5-3.5k-5+15.5k-5 [From equation 1] =724g-21.5k+35+15.5k-5 =724g-6.5k+30 =724g-65K-5 =724g-6(4P) 5k-5

is a multiple of 45k-5=4P =724g-24 PWhich is divisible by 24 Pk+1 is true

Hence by principle of mathematical induction is true. For all n N

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

A complex number is a number of the form a + ib, where a and b are real numbers and i² = −1.

Here, a is the real part and b is the imaginary part.

The symbol i is called iota.

It is defined as i = √−1, so i² = −1.

Powers of i repeat in a cycle of four.

i = i, i² = −1, i³ = −i and i⁴ = 1. For higher powers, divide the exponent by 4 and use the remainder.

The conjugate of a complex number a + ib is a − ib.

For example, the conjugate of 5 + 2i is 5 − 2i.

In quadratic equations with real coefficients, complex roots occur in conjugate pairs.

So, if one root is a + ib, the other root is a − ib.