PHASOR ALGEBRA

I A phasor is a complex number that represents the

amplitude and phase of a sinusoid.
I Phasors provide a simple means of analyzing linear
circuits excited by sinusoidal source.

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 1/4

The Operator j

I A Phasor or a complex number z can be written in

rectangular form as: z = x + jy
x is the real part of z
y is the imaginary part of z
√
I The operator: j = −1.
The operator j transforms a vector by 90◦ .
So j 2 = −1 rotates a vector by 180◦

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 2/4

Forms of Representing A Vector or A Phasor

A Phasor or a Complex Number z can be represented in three

ways:
I Rectangular form: z = x + jy
I Polar form: z = r∠θ
I Exponential Form: z = rejθ

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 3/4

Phasor Algebra

I Phasor Addition and Subtraction: Usually done in

Reactangular Form
I Phasor Multiplicationa and Division: Usually done in Polar
Form
I Phasor Raised to a Power: Usually done in Polar Form
I Extracting Roots of a Phasor : Usually done in Polar Form
I Taking Logarithm of a Phasor: Usually done in Exponential
Form

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 4/4

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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

7.3 Mathematical Representation of Phasors

(or complex numbers):

A Phasor can be represented graphically in the various forms such

as:
(i) Rectangular or Cartesian form
(ii) Trigonometric and polar form.
(iii) Exponential form.

(i) Rectangular or Cartesian Form:

A Phasor Z can be expressed in terms of its x-component ‘x’ and
y-component ‘y’ as shown in Fig.3.
Mathematically it is written as,
Z=x+jy
where j = -1 , known as operator, it indicates that the component
y is perpendicular to the component x. In the Phasor or complex number
Z = x + jy, where x and y are called real and imaginary part of Z
respectively. But in Electrical Engineering these are known as in-phase
(or active)and quardrature(or reactive) component respectively. The
Phasor or complex numbers (or vectors) are shown in Fig. 3 and
represented as,
z2 =  x2 + jy2
z3 =  x3 – jy2
and z4 = x4 – jy2

z2 z
y2 y
r
- x2 x
- x3 X
x4
- y3
- y4
z3 z4
Fig.3
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

The numerical value (or magnitude) of Z is denoted by r or |Z| or

|x + jy|, and is given by
r = |Z| = |x + jy| =
The argument or amplitude of Z, denoted by arg (Z), is an angle 
with the positive x-axis, and is given by
y
 = tan-1 x

Note: In mathematics -1 is denoted by i, but in electrical engineering j

is adopted because the letter ‘j’ is used for representing current.
(ii) Trigonometric and Polar Form:
From Fig.4, we see that
x y
Cos  = r and Sin  = r

Hence, x = r Cos  and y = r sin 

Therefore, the complex number
Z = x + jy Z = x + iy

= r Cos  + j r sin  r
r sin
y Sin

Z = r ( cos  + j sin )
r cos
The general form of this equation is
Fig. 4
Z = r (cos  + j Sin )
This is called the Trigonometric form of the complex number Z.
If we simply write r( cos  + j sin ) = r  
Then Z=r
In general, Z=r+
This is called the polar form (or Modulus argument form) of the
complex number Z. Trigonometric and polar forms are the same, but the
polar form is simply a short hand or symbolic style of writing the
Trigonometric form.
(iii) Exponential Form:
A very interesting and useful relation was discovered by the great
Swiss mathematician Euler. Stated as an equation
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra
e = cos  + j sin 
j

This equation is known as Euler’s equation

(The derivation of this relationship is given at the end of this chapter).
If we apply this relationship to the trigonometric form of a
complex number Z, then
Z = r (cos  + j sin )
Z = r ej
In general, Z =  r ej
This relation is very useful for multiplication and division of complex
numbers.
Hence, we get Z = x + jy = r ( cos  + j sin ) = r   = r ej
7.4 Conjugate Complex Numbers:
Two complex numbers are called the conjugate of each other if
their real parts are equal and their imaginary parts differ only in sign. The
_
conjugate of a complex number Z = x + iy, is denoted by z and is given as
_
Z = x – iy.

Example 1: Express the following in polar form:

(a) (b) 4 – j5 (c)  1 – j
Solution:
(a) 1+j 3
Here x = 1, y= 3
r= x2 + y2 = 1 + 3 = 2
y  3
 = tan -1 x = tan-1  1  = 60o
   
So, polar form is = r  = 2  60o
Its trigonometric form is = r (cos  + j sin )
= 2(cos 60o + j sin 60o)
(b) 4 – j5
Here x = 4, y = -5
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

r = (4)2 + (-5)2 = 16 + 25 = 41
 5
 = tan-1- 4 = 308o 40
 
Hence, polar form is r   = 41  308o 40
(c) 1–j
Here x = 1, y=1
r = (-1)2 + (-1)2 = 2
-5
 = tan-1-4 = 225o
 
Hence, r= 2  225o
Example 2: Express the following in rectangular form.
(a) 10  3.5o (b) 450  94o (c) 12.3  - 45o
Solution:
(a) 10 3.5o =10(cos 3.5o + j sin 3.5o)
= 10 (0.998 + j 0.06)
= 9.98 + j 0.61
(b) 450  94 o
= 450 (cos 94o + j 94o)
= 450(-0.698 + j 0.998)
=31.4 + j 449.1
(c) 12.3  45 o
= 12.3 (cos (-45o ) + j (-45o))
= 12.3(0.707 + j 0.707)
=8.696 – j 8.696
Example 3: Given that z = 2e jπ , write the other forms.
Solution:
π
Here r = 2,  =  6 =  30o

So, polar form is r = 2   30o

Trigonometric form is
r = (cos  + j sin ) = 2 (cos (30o) + j sin (30o)
= 2 (cos 30o – j sin 30o)
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

Rectangular form is
x + jy = 2 (0.866 – j 0.5)
= 1.632 – j
7.5 Addition and Subtraction of Complex Numbers (Or
vectors):
Addition and subtraction of complex numbers can be performed
conveniently only when both numbers are in the rectangular form.
Suppose we are given two complex numbers:
Z1 = x1 + jy1 , Z2 = x2 + jy2
(i) Addition: Z = Z1 + Z2 = (x1 + jy1) + (x2 + jy2)
= (x1 + x2) + j (y1 + y2)
The magnitude of Z = |Z| = (x1 + x2)2 + (y1 + y2)2
 y1+ y2 
The argument or amplitude of Z is  = tan-1x + x 
 1 2

(ii)Subtraction : Z = Z1  Z2 = (x1 + jy1)  (x2 + jy2)

= (x1  x2) + j (y1  y2)
The magnitude of Z = |Z| =

The argument or amplitude of Z is  = tan 1

7.6 Multiplication and Division :

1- Multiplication:
(i)In Rectangular Form:
Since Z = Z1 Z2 = (x1 + jy1) (x2 + jy2)
2
= x1 x2 + y1y2 j + jx1 y2 + jx2 y1
= (x1 x2  y1y2) + j (x1 y2 + x2 y1)
The magnitude of Z = |Z|=
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

The argument or amplitude of Z = = tan 1

(ii)In Polar Form:

j1
Since Z1 = x1 + jy1 = r1  1 = r1 e
j2
Z2 = x2 + iy2 = r2  2 = r2 e
j1 j2
Z1 Z2 = r1  1  r2   = r1 e  r2 e
j (1+2)
= r1 r2e
Z1 Z2 = r1 r2 1 + 2
(iii)In Trigonometric Form:
Since, Z1 Z2 = r1 r2 1 + 2
Z1 Z2 = r1 r2[ cos(1+2) + j sin((1+2)]

2- Division
(i) In Rectangular Form:
Z1 x1 + jy1
Since =
Z2 x2 + jy2
Multiplying and divide by the conjugate z2 – jy2 in order to made the
denominator real.
Z1 x1 + jy1 x2 - jy2
= 
Z2 x2 + jy2 x2 - jy2
(x1x2 + y1y2) + j (x2y1 - x1y2)
= x22 +y22
x1x2 + y1y2 x2y1 - x1y2
= x 2 +y 2 + j x 2 +y 2
2 2 2 2

Which is x + jy form
Note :
Generally, the result be expressed in the form x + jy
(ii)In Polar Form:
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra
j1
Since Z1 = x1 + jy1 = r1  1 = r1 e
j2
Z2 = x2 + iy2 = r2  2 = r2 e
j1
Z1 r1  1 r1 e
So = =
Z2 r2 2 j2
r2 e
r1 j(1 -  )
=r e 1 2
2

Z1 r1
= r  1 - 2
Z2 2

(iii)In Trigonometric Form:

Z1 r1
Since Z2 = r  1 - 2
2

Z1 r1
= r [Cos (1 - 2) + j Sin (1 - 2)]
Z2 2

Example 4: Find the product of 1 + j , 1+j 3, 3–j

and express the result in polar form, trigonometry form and
rectangular form.
Solution:
First we express each number is polar form.
1+j = 2 45o
1+j 3 = 2  60o
and 3–j = 2  - 30o
Hence, the product of the three numbers is
2  45o  260o  2  - 30o
= 2  2  2  45o + 60o – 30o
= 4 2 75o-------------------------------- polar form.
Or = 4 2 (cos 76o + j sin 75o)-----trigonometry form.
Or =4 2 (0.259 + j 0.966)
= 1. 465 + j 5.465----------------- rectangular form.
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

Z1
Example 5: Given Z1 = 8 - 30o and Z2 = 2  - 60o find and
Z2
express the result in polar form, exponential form, trigonometry form
and rectangular form.
Solution:
Z1 8 - 30o
Since =
Z2 2  - 60o
8
= 2  - 30o + 60o

= 4  30o-------------------------------------------- polar form.

Z = r = 4 e j /6-----------------------------exponential form.
Z = 4 (cos 300+ j sin 300)------------------ trigonometry form.
Z = 4(0.866 + j0.5)
= 3.464 + j0.5 ------------------------------rectangular form.
3 +5j
Example 6: Simplify to the form a + ib.
4 + 3j
3 +5i
Solution: 4 + 3j
Multiply and divide by conjugate 4 – 3j of denominator
3 + 5j 4 - 3j
4 + 3j  4 - 3j
so,

(12 + 15) + j (20 - 9)

= 16 + 9
27 + j 11
= 25
27 11
= 25 + j 25

= 1.08 + j 0.44
Example 7: Perform the indicated operation and given the result in
rectangular form ,polar form ,exponential form and trigonometry
form.
(1 + 3 j) ( 3 + j)
1+j
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

Solution:
(1 + j 3) ( 3 + j) ( 3 - 3 ) + 4i
Z= =
1+j 1+j
4j 4j 1-j
=1+j=1+j 1- j

4 + 4j
= 1 + 1 = 2 + 2j------------------ rectangular form.

r = 22 + 22 =2 2
2
 = tan-1 2 = 45o
 
Hence, Z = r = 2 2 45o ---------------------polar form.
Z = r e j = 2 2 e j /4 ---------------exponential form.
Z = 2 2 (cos 450 + j sin 450)---------- trigonometry form.
Example 8: Using Z = cos  + j Sin  and Z3 = Cos3 + j sin 3, by
expanding (cos  + j Sin )3 and equating real and
imaginary parts show that:
(a) Cos 3 =4 cos3 - 3 cos 
(b) Sin 3 = 3 sin  - 4 sin3
Solution:
Since cos 3 + j sin 3 = Z3
So, cos 30 + j Sin 30 = (cos  + j sin )3
Expand by binomial theorem
=cos 3+3 cos2 (j sin )+3 cos  (j sin)2+(j sin )3
Put j2 = -1 and j3 = -j
= cos3  + j cos2  sin  - 3 cos  sin2  – j sin3 
=(cos3 - 3 cos  sin2) + j(3 cos2  sin  - sin3 )
Comparing real and imaginary parts on both sides, we get
(a) cos 3 = cos3 - 3 cos  sin2,
= cos2  - 3 cos  (1 – cos2)
Cos 3 = 4 cos3 - 3 cos 
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

(b) Sin 3 =3 cos2 sin  - sin3 

=3(1 – sin2) sin  - sin3 )
= 3 sin  - 4 sin3
7.8 Powers and Roots of the Complex Numbers (Vectors):
(De Moivre’s Theorem)
If we square the complex number
Z = r (cos  + j sin )
We get, Z2 = [r (cos  + j sin )] [r(cos  + j sin )]
= r2 (cos 2  + j sin 2 )
Further more
Z3 = Z (Z2) = [r (cos  + j sin )] [r2 (cos 2 + j sin 2)]
=r3 (cos 3 + j sin 3)
A repeated application of this process leads to the following
theorem if,
Z = r (cos  + j sin ) = r 
Then Z n
= rn (cos n  + j sin n ) = rn n 
 
And Z1/n = r 1/n (cos n + j sin n )

n n   n 
Or z = r (cos n + j sin n ) = r  n

Which is the nth roots of Z.

Note:
The fact that
 1/n  + K360o
Z 1/n 1/n
=r n=r  n
Where, K = 0, + 1, + 2,…………enable use to find n
distinct nth roots of the complex number by assigning to K the values 0, 1,
2, 3, ………n – 1.
Example 9: Simplify (a) ( 3 + j)7
(b) and express the result in a + jb form
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

Solution:
(a) 3 + j = 2  30o, which is a polar form
Then ( 3 + j)7 = (230o)7 = 27  7 (30o)
= 128 210o
= 128 [(cos 210o + j sin 210o]
 3 1
= 128 - 2 - j 2 
 
= 64 ( - 3 – j)
= - 64 3 - j64
(c) Express first 3 – 4j in polar form:
3 – j4 = 5  - 53.13o
So, = (5  - 53.13o)1/2

= , where k = 0 , 1
Hence the roots are

= and

5  - 26.57o =  153.030
= 5 (cos (-26.57o) + j sin (-26.57o) = (cos153.030 + jsin 153.030)
= 5 (0.89 – j 0.45) = ( 0.89 +j 0.45)
=2–j =2+j

Example 10: Find the four fourth roots of Z = 2 + 3 j in the

form r .
Solution:
Write Z = 2 + j2 3 in polar form.
Z = 2 + 2 3 j = 4 60o
Now, the fourth roots of Z is
¼ ¼ 60o
 = Z ¼ = (4  60o) =4  4
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Chapter 7 Phasor Algebra

¼ 60o + K 360o
k = 4 
4
60o + K 360o
k = 2  4
Taking K = 0, 1, 2, 3, in turn, gives the roots
60o
o = 2  4 = 2  15o
60o + 360o
1 = 2  = 2  105o
4
60o + 720o
2 = 2  = 2  195o
4
60o + 1090o
3 = 2  = 2  285o
4
7.9 Principle Roots:
The n distinct nth roots of x + jy are equal spaced about the
circumference of a circle of radius r1/n = ( x2 +y2 )1/n, the smallest

argument(for K = 0) being n . The root that is obtained by using this
smallest value of  is called the Principle root.

i.e., The principle root is: Z1/n = r1/n  n

Example 11: Solve the equation, x3 + j4 = 4 3 .

Solution:
x3 = 4 3 - 4j,convert into polar form.
x3 = 8 - 30o
x3 = 8 330o
x = (8 330o)1/3
330o +K 360o
=2 3
xo = 2 110o
x1 = 2 230o
x2 = 2 350o
Hence, the solution set is: 2 110o, 2 230o, 2 350o
Logarithm of A Phasor

Logarithm of A
◮ A = Aejθ
 
◮ loge A = loge Aejθ = loge A + loge ejθ
◮ loge A = loge A + jθloge e = loge A + jθ
◮ Hence, loge A = loge A + jθ
Caution!! The phase angle of A = θ must be taken in ‘radian’
here.

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 1/3

Logarithm of A Phasor

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 2/3

Thank you!

Thank you!

Mohammad Ismat Kadir 3/3