Study Web

Complex Numbers

Complex Numbers

Definition of complex numbers, Cartesian and polar forms, Argand diagram, modulus and argument, arithmetic operations, De Moivre's theorem, roots of complex numbers.

Complex Numbers

Definition: A complex number z = a + bi where:
• a = Re(z) = real part
• b = Im(z) = imaginary part
• i = −1, so i² = −1

Arithmetic Operations

Let z₁ = a+bi and z₂ = c+di:
Addition: z₁+z₂ = (a+c) + (b+d)i
Subtraction: z₁−z₂ = (a−c) + (b−d)i
Multiplication: z₁z₂ = (ac−bd) + (ad+bc)i
Division: z₁z₂ = (ac+bd) + (bc−ad)ic²+d²

Complex Conjugate

z̄ = a − bi (conjugate: flip sign of imaginary part)
z·z̄ = a² + b² = |z|² (always real and non-negative)

Modulus and Argument

|z| = a²+b²  (modulus = distance from origin on Argand diagram)
arg(z) = θ = arctan(ba)  (argument = angle from positive real axis)

Polar Form

z = r(cos θ + i sin θ) = re^(iθ)  where r=|z|, θ=arg(z)
Euler's formula: e^(iθ) = cos θ + i sin θ
Example: z = 1+i
|z| = 1+1 = 2,   θ = arctan(11) = 45° = π/4
Polar: z = 2 (cos 45° + i sin 45°) = 2 · e^(iπ/4)

De Moivre's Theorem

[r(cos θ + i sin θ)]ⁿ = rⁿ(cos nθ + i sin nθ)
Equivalently: (re^(iθ))ⁿ = rⁿe^(inθ)
Example: (1+i)⁴ using De Moivre:
r = 2, θ = π/4 → (2)⁴(cos π + i sin π) = 4(−1+0i) = −4

nth Roots of a Complex Number

The n roots of zⁿ = re^(iθ) are:
zₖ = r^(1/n) · e^(i(θ+2πk)/n)  for k = 0, 1, 2, …, n−1
Roots are equally spaced on a circle of radius r^(1/n)
Cube roots of 1 (z³=1): r=1, θ=0
z₀ = 1,   z₁ = e^(2πi3) = cos(120°)+i·sin(120°),   z₂ = e^(4πi3) = cos(240°)+i·sin(240°)