CLASS XI

SUBJECT MATHEMATICS
TOPIC COMPLEX NUMBERS
NO. OF SESSIONS THREE

Introduction: We know that the square of a real number is always non-negative, thus no
real number can satisfy an equation of the type x2 + k = 0, where k > 0. So we need to extend the
real number system to a larger system i.e. Complex Number System so that we can find the
solution of the type of equations given above.

Euler introduced the symbol ‘i’ (iota) for the positive square root of -1 with i2 = -1. The number

− 1 (denoted by i) is called the imaginary number. Thus the square root of any negative real

number is known as imaginary number. e.g., − 2 = 2(− 1) = 2i, − 4 = 2i . Etc, are imaginary

numbers.

Definition: A number of the form a + ib, where a and b are real numbers and i2 = -1 is called a
complex number. A complex number can also be defined as an ordered pair (a, b) of real numbers
a and b, which is represented by the a + ib. the ordered pair (b, a) represents the complex number
b + ia.

If Z be a complex number such that Z = a + ib, then a is called real part of Z and b the imaginary
part of Z and we write a = Re Z and b = Im Z. e.g.: In Z = 2 + 3i, Re Z = 2 and Im Z = 3.

Integral Powers of i: We have i = − 1 , i2 = -1, so i3 = i2 i = (-1) i = - i and i4 = i2 i2 = (-1)(-1) = 1.

For any n  N, the value of in is found by dividing n by 4 and then using the values of i2, i3 and i4.
1
For any n  N, the value of i-n is found by writing this as and solving in.
in

Ex: Evaluate: (i) i 998 (ii) i −71

Solution:

( )
(i) i 998 = i 4249+ 2 = i 4
249
 i 2 = 1 −1 = −1
1 1 i i i i i i
(ii) i −71 = = 71 = 72 = 418 = 4 18 = 18 = = i
i 71
i i i i (i ) (1) 1

Try Your Self: Evaluate: (i) i 39 (ii) i −78

Arithmetic operation on Complex number:

(1) Addition of two Complex Numbers: Let 𝑧1 = a + ib and 𝑧2 = c + id be any two complex
numbers. Then the sum 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 is defined as follows:
𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (a + ib) + (c + id) = (a + c) + i (b + d), which is again a complex number.
The addition of complex numbers satisfy the following properties:
(i) The closure law: The sum of two complex numbers is a complex number i.e., 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 is a
complex number for all complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2.
(ii) Commutative law: For any two complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 , 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = 𝑧2 + 𝑧1.
(iii) The Associative law: For any three complex numbers 𝑧1 , 𝑧2 , 𝑧3: (𝑧1 + 𝑧2 ) + 𝑧3 = 𝑧1 + (𝑧2 + 𝑧3)
(iv) The existence of Additive identity: There exists the complex number 0 + i0 (denoted as 0),
called the additive identity or zero complex number, such that, for every complex number z,
z + 0 = z.
(v) The existence of additive inverse: To every complex number z = a + i(-b) (denoted as – z)
called the additive inverse or negative of z. we observe that z + (-z) = 0.

(2) Difference of two complex numbers: Given any two complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 is defined as
follows: 𝑧1 - 𝑧2 = 𝑧1 + (- 𝑧2)

(3) Multiplication of two complex numbers: Let 𝑧1 = a + ib and 𝑧2 = c + id be any two complex
numbers. Thus, the product 𝑧1𝑧2 is defined as follows: 𝑧1𝑧2 = (ac – bd) + i (ad + bc)
The multiplication of complex numbers possesses the following properties,
(i) The closure law: The product of two complex numbers is a complex number the product 𝑧1𝑧2
is a complex number for all complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2.
(ii) The commutative law: For any two complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2. 𝑧1𝑧2 = 𝑧2𝑧1
(iii) The Associative law: For any three complex numbers 𝑧1 , 𝑧2 , 𝑧3 , ( 𝑧1𝑧2) 𝑧3 = 𝑧1  ( 𝑧2𝑧3 )
(iv) The existence of multiplicative identity: There exists the complex number 1 + i0 (denoted as
1), called the multiplicative identity such that z1 = z, for every complex number z.
(v) The existence of multiplicative inverse : For every non- zero complex numbers z = a +ib or
a + bi (a≠0, b≠0), we have the complex number
a b 1 1
+i , denoted by or Z −1 , called the multiplica tive inverse of Z such that Z  = 1
a 2 + b2 a 2 + b2 Z Z

(vi) The distributive law: For any three complex numbers 𝑧1, 𝑧2, 𝑧3.
(a) 𝑧1 (𝑧2 + 𝑧3) = 𝑧1𝑧2 + 𝑧1𝑧3.
(b) (𝑧1 + 𝑧2)3 = 𝑧1𝑧3 + 𝑧2𝑧3.
(4) Division of two complex numbers: Given two complex numbers Z1 and Z2, where Z2 ≠ 0, the
Z1 1
quotient = Z1 
Z2 Z2

Example: , Let Z1 = 6 + 3i and Z2= 2 – i, then

Z1  1   − (− 1) 
=  (6 + 3i )   = (6 + 3i ) 2
2
+i 2 
2 
Z2  2−i  2 + (− 1)2
2 + (− 1) 
2+i 1
= (6 + 3i )  = 12 − 3 + i(6 + 6) = (9 + 12i )
1
 5  5 5
Identities: For any complex numbers Z1 and Z2, we have the following identities, can be
proved to be true for all complex numbers.
(i) (Z1 + Z2)² = Z1² + Z2² + 2 Z1 Z2
(ii) (Z1- Z2)² = Z1² - 2 Z1 Z2 + Z2²
(iii) (Z1 - Z2)³ = Z1³ + 3 Z1² Z 2 + 3 Z1Z2² + Z2³
(iv) (Z1- Z2)³ = Z1³ - 3 Z1² Z2 + 3 Z1 Z2² - Z2³
(v) Z1² - Z2² = (Z1 + Z2) (Z1 − Z2).

Examples: Express the following in the form of a + ib:

(i) (− 5i ) 1 i  = − 5 i 2 = − 5 (−1) = 5 = 5 + 0i

8  8 8 8 8

(i ) i=
3

(ii) (− i )(2i ) − 1 i  = 2

1
 i5 =
1 2 2 1
i = 0+
1
i
 8  8 8 8 256 256 256

(iii) (5 − 3i )3 = 53 − 3  52  (3i ) + 3  5  (3i )2 − (3i )3 = 125 − 225i − 135 + 27i = −10 − 198i

(iv)
(− )( )
3 + − 2 2 3 − i = −6 + 3i + 2 6i − 2i 2 = −6 + 3i + 2 6i − 2 (− 1)
(
= −6 + 3i + 2 6i + 2 = − 6 + 2 + 3 1 + 2 2 i ) ( )
Try yourself: Express the following complex numbers in a + ib, form:

(i) (2 + 3i)( 3 – i) (ii) (-3 + 2i)2 (iii) ( 7i + 2 )

3
(iv)
(8 − 3i )(6 − i )
(2 − 2i )
CONJUGATE OF A COMPLEX NUMBER: If z = x + iy; x and y are real numbers, is a
complex number then the complex number x - iy is called the conjugate of x + iy. The
conjugate of the complex number z is denoted by z . Thus, we have x + iy = x − iy, x, y  R.

Examples: Find the conjugate of the following complex numbers:

(i) 2 + 5i , its conjugate is 2 – 5i

(ii) 4 = 4 + 0i, its conjugate is 4 – 0i = 4
(iii) -3i = 0 – 3i, its conjugate is 0 + 3i = 3i.
MODULUS OF A COMLEX NUMBER: If z = x + iy; x and y are real numbers, is a complex
number, then the real number x 2 + y 2 is called the modulus of x + iy. The modulus of the

complex number z is denoted by |z|. Thus, we have |x + iy| = x 2 + y 2 ; x, y  R.

The modulus of a complex number is always a non-negative real number. e.g., if z = 5 – 12i
then, |z| = |5 – 12i| = (5)2 + (− 12 )2 = 25 + 144 = 169 = 13

Try Your Self:

1. Find the modulus of the complex numbers: (i) 3 + 7i (ii) 9 + 3i7

2. Find the conjugate of the complex numbers: (i) 1 – i3 (ii) 5 (iii) -7i16

Questions for Practice:

1. Evaluate: (i) − 25  − 81 (ii) − 25 + 4 − 16 + 3 − 9

2
 17  1  34 
2. Evaluate: (i) (− −1 )
4 n+ 3
,n N (ii)  −   
   

3. Show that  n +  n+1 +  n+ 2 +  n+3 = 0, n  N .
4. Find the real values of x and y if: (1 +  ) y 2 + (6 +  ) = (2 +  )x
5. Find the value of x and y: (i) 4x + (3x – y) = 3 - 6 (ii) (3y – 2) + (7 – 2x) = 0
6. Express the following complex numbers in the form a + b:
2
3 5 
 + 
(i) (-2 + 3)(3 - 5) (ii)  2 3  (iii) (2 - 3)  (5 - 4)
 
7. Simplify: (1 - )-2 + (1 + )-2
 2 + 3  2 − 3 
8. Show that   
 3 + 4  3 − 4 
9. Find the multiplicative inverse of the following:
 (2 + 3 )(3 + 2 )
(i) 2 - 3 (ii)
5+

10. Find the conjugate and modulus of the following:

(i) (1 +  ) − (4 + 3 ) + (7 − 9 )
3 2 4
(ii) (1 - )-2 + (1 + )-2

(iii) (2 + 3 ) + (5 − 4 ) + (6 − 7 )

3 4
(iv)
3 + 2 3 − 2
+
2 − 5 2 + 5

z1 z
11. If z1 = 1 + 2 and z2 = 6 + 5, then verify (i) z1 z2 = z1 z2 (ii) = 1
z2 z2
12. As the concept explained above answer the following:

(i) The value of (-√-1)4n-3 , n€ N is ………..

(a) -i (b) i (c) i2 (d) i3

1−𝑖
(ii) The conjugate of the complex number 1+𝑖 is ……….

(a) -i (b) i (c) i2 (d) i3

(iii) The value of i-1097 = ………

(a) -i (b) i (c) i2 (d) i3

(iv) The value of √-4 x √-9 = ……….

(a) -6 (b) i (c) -1 (d) i3

(v) The real value of a for which 3i3-2ai2+(1-a)i+5 is real is ……..

(a) -i (b) -2 (c) -1 (d)none