Module in

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS

(Prelim Period)

SESSION TOPIC 1: COMPLEX NUMBERS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the session you will:

1. Define the Complex Numbers.
2. Learn and understand the theorems, properties and forms of Complex Numbers.

KEY TERMS
Complex Numbers Polar Form of Argand Diagram Modulus of Complex
Complex Numbers Numbers
Standard Form of Complex Conjugate Imaginary Unit Real Numbers
Complex Numbers

CORE CONTENT

Overview

We know that the square of a real number is always non-negative e.g. (4)2 = 16 and (– 4)2 = 16. Therefore,
square root of 16 is ± 4. What about the square root of a negative number? It is clear that a negative
number cannot have a real square root. So we need to extend the system of real numbers to a system in
which we can find out the square roots of negative numbers. Euler (1707 - 1783) was the first
mathematician to introduce the symbol i (iota) for positive square root of – 1 i.e., i = - 1 √−1.

1.1 Imaginary numbers

Square root of a negative number is called an imaginary number., for example,

√−9 = √−1√9 = 3𝑖, √−7 = √−1√7 = 𝑖√7

1.2 Integral powers of i

𝑖 = √−1, 𝑖 ! = −1, 𝑖 " = 𝑖 ! 𝑖 = −𝑖, 𝑖 # = (𝑖 ! )! = (−1)! = 1

To compute in for n > 4, we divide n by 4 and write it in the form n = 4m + r, where m is quotient and r is
remainder (0 ≤ r ≤ 4)

Hence 𝑖 $ = 𝑖 #%&' = (𝑖 # )% . (𝑖)' = (1)% (𝑖)' = 𝑖 '

For example, (𝑖)"( = 𝑖 #)(&" = (𝑖 # )( . (𝑖)" = 𝑖 " = −𝑖

and (𝑖)*#"+ = (𝑖)*(#)-./&") = (𝑖)*(#)-./) . (𝑖)*"

- - 1
= (1 ! )"#$ . (1)% = (1)! = 𝑖

(i) If a and b are positive real numbers, then

√−𝑎 ∙ √−𝑏 = √−1√𝑎 ∙ √−1√𝑏 = 𝑖 √𝑎 ∙ 𝑖 √𝑏 = −√𝑎𝑏

(ii) √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏 = √𝑎𝑏 if a and b are positive or at least one of them is negative or zero.

However,√𝑎√𝑏 ≠ √𝑎𝑏 if a and b both are negative.

1.3 Complex numbers

(a) A number which can be written in the form a + 𝑖𝑏, where a, b are real numbers

and i =√−1 is called a complex number.

(b) If z = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 is the complex number, then a and b are called real and imaginary parts,
respectively, of the complex number and written as R𝑒 = (𝑧) = 𝑎, I𝑚(𝑧) = 𝑏.

(c) Order relations “greater than” and “less than” are not defined for complex

numbers.

(d) If the imaginary part of a complex number is zero, then the complex number is known as purely
real number and if real part is zero, then it is called purely imaginary number, for example, 2 is a purely
real number because its imaginary part is zero and 3𝑖 is a purely imaginary number because its real part is
zero.

1.4 Algebra of complex numbers

1. (a) Two complex numbers 𝑧- = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 and 𝑧! = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 are said to be equal if

a = c and b = d.

2. (b) Let 𝑧- = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 and 𝑧! = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 be two complex numbers then

z1 + z2 =(𝑎 + 𝑐) + 𝑖(𝑏 + 𝑑)
1.5 Addition of complex numbers satisfies the following properties

1. As the sum of two complex numbers is again a complex number, the set of complex numbers is
closed with respect to addition.
2. Addition of complex numbers is commutative, i.e., z1 + z2 = z2 + z1
3. Addition of complex numbers is associative, i.e., (z1 + z2 ) + z3 = z1 + (z2 + z3)
4. For any complex number z = x + i y, there exist 0, i.e., (0 + 0i) complex number such that z + 0 =
0 + z = z, known as identity element for addition.
5. For any complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, the real ways exists a number −𝑧 = −𝑎 − 𝑖𝑏 such that z+(–
z) =(–z) +z= 0 and is known as the additive inverse of z.

1.6 Multiplication of complex numbers

Let 𝑧- = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 and 𝑧! = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑, be two complex numbers. Then

𝑧- . 𝑧! = (𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑) = (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + 𝑖(𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)

1. As the product of two complex numbers is a complex number, the set of complex numbers is
closed with respect to multiplication.
2. Multiplication of complex numbers is commutative, i.e., z1.z2 = z2.z1
3. Multiplication of complex numbers is associative, i.e., (z1.z2 ) . z3 = z1 . (z2.z3)

4. For any complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, there exists a complex number 1, i.e., (1 + 0i) such that

z . 1 = 1 . z = z, known as identity element for multiplication.

- -
5. For any non zero complex number z = x + i y, there exists a complex number 2 such that 𝑧. 2 =
- - 3*14
. 𝑧 = 1, 𝑖. 𝑒., multiplicative inverse of 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 = 3&14 = 3& &4& .
2
6. For any three complex numbers z1, z2 and z3 ,
z1 .(z2 +z3)=z1 .z2 +z1 .z3

And (z1 +z2).z3 =z1 .z3 +z2 .z3

i.e., for complex numbers multiplication is distributive over addition.

1.7 Let 𝑧- = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 and 𝑧! (≠ 0) = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑. Then

𝑧- 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 (𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑) (𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑑)

𝑧- ÷ 𝑧! = = = ! ! +𝑖 ! !
𝑧! 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 𝑐 +𝑑 𝑐 +𝑑
1.8 Conjugate of a complex number

Let 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 be a complex number. Then complex number obtained by changing the sign of imaginary
part of the complex number is called the conjugate of 𝑧 and it is denoted by 𝑧̅, 𝑖. 𝑒. , 𝑧̅ = 𝑎 − 𝑖𝑏.

Note that additive inverse of 𝑧 is −𝑎 − 𝑖𝑏 but conjugate of 𝑧 is 𝑎 − 𝑖𝑏.

We have:

1. >>>>
(𝑧̅) = 𝑧
2. z+(>>>>
𝑧) = 2 R𝑒 (𝑧), 𝑧 − 𝑧̅ = 2 𝑖 I𝑚(𝑧)
3. 𝑧 = 𝑧̅, if 𝑧 is purely real.
4. 𝑧 + 𝑧̅ = 0 ⇔ 𝑧 is purely imaginary
5. 𝑧. 𝑧̅ = {𝑅𝑒(𝑧)}! + {𝐼𝑚(𝑧)}! .
6. >>>>>>>>>>>>
(𝑧- + 𝑧! ) = 𝑧E- + 𝑧E! , >>>>>>>>>>>>
(𝑧- − 𝑧! ) = 𝑧E- + 𝑧E!
>>>>>
>>>>! ), F2"G = (2555)
7. >>>>>>>>>
(𝑧- . 𝑧! ) = >>>>
(𝑧- )(𝑧 "
(𝑧E! ≠ 0)
2& (2
555)
"

1.9 Modulus of a complex number

Let 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 be a complex number. Then the positive square root of the sum of square of real part and
square of imaginary part is called modulus (absolute value) of z and it

Is denoted by |𝑧| 𝑖. 𝑒. , |𝑧| = √𝑎! + 𝑏!

In the set of complex numbers z1 > z2 or z1 < z2 are meaningless but

|𝑧| > |𝑧! |𝑜𝑟|𝑧- | < |𝑧! |

are meaningful because |𝑧- | and |𝑧! | are real numbers,

1.10 Properties of modulus of a complex number

1. |𝑧| = 0 ⇔ 𝑧 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. , 𝑅𝑒(𝑧) = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑚(𝑧) = 0

2. |𝑧| = |𝑧̅| = |−𝑧|

3. −|𝑧| ≤ 𝑅𝑒(𝑧) ≤ |𝑧| and −|𝑧| ≤ 𝐼𝑚(𝑧) ≤ |𝑧|

4. 𝑧 𝑧̅ = |𝑧|! , |𝑧 ! | = |𝑧̅|!

2 2
5. |𝑧- 𝑧! | = |𝑧- |. |𝑧! |, N2"N = N2" N (𝑧! ≠ 0)
& &

6. |𝑧- + 𝑧! |! = |𝑧- |! + |𝑧! |! + 2𝑅𝑒(𝑧- 𝑧E! )

7. |𝑧- − 𝑧! |! = |𝑧- |! + |𝑧! |! + −2 𝑅𝑒(𝑧- 𝑧E! )

 8. |𝑧- + 𝑧! | ≤ |𝑧- | + |𝑧! |

9. |𝑧- − 𝑧! | ≥ |𝑧- | − |𝑧! |

10. |𝑎𝑧- − 𝑏𝑧! |! + |𝑏𝑧- + 𝑎𝑧! |! = (𝑎! + 𝑏! )(|𝑧- |! + |𝑧! |! )

In particular:

|𝑧- − 𝑧! |! + |𝑧- + 𝑧! |! = 2(|𝑧- |! + |𝑧! |! )

11. As stated earlier multiplicative inverse (reciprocal) of a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏(≠ 0) is

- 3*14 2̅
2
= 3& &4& = |2|&

2 Argand Plane

A complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 can be represented by a unique point P (a, b) in the cartesian plane
referred to a pair of rectangular axes. The complex number 0 + 0i represent the origin 0 ( 0, 0). A purely
real number a, i.e., (a + 0i) is represented by the point (a, 0) onx - axis. Therefore, x-axis is called real
axis. A purely imaginary number

ib, i.e., (0 + ib) is represented by the point (0, b) on y-axis. Therefore, y-axis is called imaginary axis.

Similarly, the representation of complex numbers as points in the plane is known as Argand diagram.
The plane representing complex numbers as points is called complex plane or Argand plane or Gaussian
plane.

If two complex numbers z1 and z2 be represented by the points P and Q in the complex plane, then

|𝑧- − 𝑧! |=PQ

2.1 Polar form of a complex number

Let P be a point representing a non-zero complex number z = a + ib in the Argand plane. If OP makes an
angle è with the positive direction of x-axis, then 𝑧 = 𝑟(cos Ɵ + 𝑖 sin Ɵ) is called the polar form of the
complex number, where

4
𝑟 = |𝑧| = √𝑎! + 𝑏! and tan Ɵ = 3. Here Ɵ is called argument or amplitude of z and we write it as arg
(𝑧) = Ɵ
The unique value of Ɵ such that −𝜋 ≤ Ɵ ≤ 𝜋 is called the principal argument.

arg (𝑧- . 𝑧! ) = arg (𝑧- ) + arg (𝑧! )

2
arg F2" G = arg (𝑧- ) − arg(𝑧! )
&


2.2 Solution of a quadratic equation

The equations ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b and c are numbers (real or complex, a ≠0) is called the general
quadratic equation in variable x. The values of the variable satisfying the given equation are called roots
of the equation.

The quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 with real coefficients has two roots given

!"#√% !"!√$
by and , where D=b2–4ac, called the discriminant of the equation.
&' %&

Solved Examples:

Example1 Evaluate:(1+i)6 +(1–i)3

Solution (1+i)6 ={(1+i)2}3= (1+i2 +2i)3 =(1–1+2i)3 =8 i3 =–8i

And (1 – i)3 = 1 – i3 – 3i + 3i2 = 1 + i – 3i – 3 = – 2 – 2i

Therefore, (1+i)6+(1–i)3 =–8i–2–2i=–2–10i

- ) 8
Example2 If (x+ iy)" = a + ib, where x, y, a, b ∈ R, show 3 − 4 = −2(a2+b2)

-
Solution (x+iy)"= a + ib

⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = (𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏)"

i.e., 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = 𝑎" + 𝑖 " 𝑏" + 3𝑖𝑎𝑏(𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏)

= 𝑎" − 𝑖𝑏" + 𝑖3𝑎! 𝑏 − 3𝑎𝑏!

= 𝑎" − 3𝑎𝑏! + 𝑖(3𝑎! 𝑏 − 𝑏" )

⇒ 𝑥 = 𝑎" − 3𝑎𝑏" and 𝑦 = 3𝑎! 𝑏 − 𝑏"

) 8
Thus 3
= 𝑎" − 3𝑏! and 4 = 3𝑎! − 𝑏!

) 8
So, 3
− 4 = a2 – 3b2 – 3a2 + b2 =–2a2 –2b2 = –2(a2 +b2).
Example 3 Solve the equation z2 = 𝑧̅ ,where z=x+ iy

Solution z2=𝑧̅ ⇒ x2–y2 + i2xy= x–iy

Therefore, x2 – y2 = x ... (1) and 2𝑥𝑦 = −𝑦 … (2)

-
From (2), we have y=0 or x= − !

When y=0, from (1), we get x2 –x=0, i.e., x=0 or x=1.

- - -
When x=− !, from (1), we get 𝑦 ! = # + ! or 𝑦 ! = " i.e., 𝑦 = ± √".
# !

Hence, the solutions of the given equation are

- √" - √"
0 + 𝑖0,1 + 𝑖0, − ! + 𝑖 !
,−! −𝑖 !
.

%'()
Example 4 If the imaginary part of is −2, then show that the locus of the point
*'()

representing z in the argand plane is a straight line.

Solution Let z =x + iy. Then

%'() %(,(*-)() (%,())(*%-

= = ()!-)(*,

*'() *(,(*-)()

{(%,())(*%-} {()!-)!*,}
= {()!-)(*,}
𝑥 {()!-)!*,}

(%,()-)(*1%-!%- ! !%, ! !,2

=
)(- ! !%-(, !

%'() %-!%- ! !%, ! !,

Thus Im$ %=
*'() )(- ! !%-(, !

%,()
But Im$ *'() % = −2 (Given)

%-!%- ! !%, ! !,
So = −2
)(- ! !%-(, !

⇒ 2𝑦 − 2𝑦 ! − 2𝑥 ! − 𝑥 = −2 − 2𝑦 ! + 4𝑦 − 2𝑥 !

i.e., 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2 = 0, which is the equation of a line.

 2
Example 5 If z2 -1 = z +1, then show that z lies on imaginary axis.

Solution Let z= x + iy. Then |z2 –1|=|z|2+1

⇒ |𝑥 ! − 𝑦 ! − 1 + 𝑖2𝑥𝑦| = |𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦|! + 1

⇒ (x2 –y2 –1)2 + 4x2y2 = (x2 +y2 +1)2 4x2 = 0 i.e., x =

⇒ 4x2 = 0 i.e., x = 0

Hence z lies on y-axis.

Example 6 Let z1 and z2 be two complex numbers such that 𝑧E- + 𝑧E! = 0 and arg (z1 z2) = π.

Then find arg (z1).

Solution Given that 𝑧E- + 𝑧E! = 0

⇒ z1 =iz2, i.e., z2 = –iz1

Thus arg (z1 z2) = arg z1 + arg(–iz1) = π

⇒ arg (–iz12) = π

⇒ arg (–i) + arg (z12) = π

⇒ arg(–i) +2arg (z1) = π

*:
⇒ + 2 arg (z1) = π
!

()
⇒ arg(z1)=
*

Example7 Let z and z be two complex numbers such that |𝑧- + 𝑧! | = |𝑧- | + |𝑧! |.

Then show that arg (z1) – arg (z2) = 0.

Solution Let 𝑧- = 𝑟- (cos Ɵ- + sin Ɵ- ) and 𝑧! = 𝑟! (cos Ɵ! + 𝑖 sin Ɵ! )

where 𝑟- = |𝑧- |, arg (𝑧- ) = Ɵ- , 𝑟! = |𝑧! |, arg (𝑧! ) = Ɵ! .

We have, |𝑧- + 𝑧! | = |𝑧- | + |𝑧! |

 = |𝑟- (cos Ɵ- + cos Ɵ! ) + 𝑟! (cos Ɵ- + sin Ɵ! )| = 𝑟- + 𝑟!

= 𝑟-! + 𝑟!! + 2𝑟- 𝑟! cos(Ɵ- − Ɵ! ) = (𝑟- + 𝑟! )! ⇒ cos(Ɵ- − Ɵ! ) = 1

⇒ Ɵ- − Ɵ! i.e., arg 𝑧- = arg 𝑧!

Example 8 If z1, z2, z3 are complex numbers such that

- - -
|𝑧- | = |𝑧! | = |𝑧" | = N + + N = 1, then find the value of |𝑧- + 𝑧! + 𝑧" |.
" 2 2 2 & %

Solution |𝑧- | = |𝑧! | = |𝑧" | = 1

⇒ |𝑧- |! = |𝑧! |! = |𝑧" |! = 1

⇒ 𝑧! 𝑧
,,,1 = 𝑧" ,,,
𝑧2 = 𝑧# 𝑧,,,3 = 1

) ) )
⇒ 𝑧)) = ' ,𝑧)% = ' , 𝑧)3 = '
" ! #

) ) )
Given that +' + ' + ' + =1
" ! #

⇒ |𝑧E- + 𝑧E! + 𝑧E" | = 1, 𝑖. 𝑒., |𝑧>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

-& 𝑧! + 𝑧" | = 1

⇒ |𝑧- + 𝑧! + 𝑧" | = 1

Example 9 Find the value of k if for the complex numbers z1 and z2,

|1 − 𝑧E- 𝑧! |! − |𝑧- − 𝑧! |! = 𝑘(1 − |𝑧- |)! (1 − |𝑧! |)!

Solution

L.H.S. = |1 − 𝑧E- 𝑧! |! − |𝑧- − 𝑧! |!

>>>>>>>>
= (1 >>>>>>>>>>>
− 𝑧- 𝑧! )(1 − 𝑧- 𝑧! ) − (𝑧- −𝑧! )(𝑧>>>>>>>>>)
- − 𝑧!

= (1 − 𝑧E 𝑧! )(1 − 𝑧- 𝑧E ) − (𝑧- − 𝑧! )(𝑧E − 𝑧E )

- ! - !

=1 + 𝑧- 𝑧E- 𝑧! 𝑧E! − 𝑧- 𝑧E- − 𝑧! 𝑧E!

= 1 + |𝑧- |! . |𝑧! |! − |𝑧- |! − |𝑧! |!

=(1 − |𝑧- |! )(1 − |𝑧! |! )

R.H.S =𝑘(1 − |𝑧- |! )(1 − |𝑧! |! )

⇒ 𝑘=1

Hence, equating LHS and RHS, we get k = 1.

-
Example10 If z1 and z2 both satisfy z + 𝑧̅ = 2 |𝑧 − 1| arg (z1 –z2) = , then find Im (z1 + z2).
*
Solution Let z = x + iy, z1 = x1 + iy1 and z2 = x2 +iy2.
Then z + 𝑧̅ = 2 |𝑧 − 1|

⇒ (x + iy) + (x – iy) = 2|𝑥 − 1 + 𝑖𝑦|

⇒ 2x = 1 + y2 … (1)
Snce z1 and z2 both satisfy (1), we have

2𝑥- = 1 + 𝑦-! … and 2𝑥! = 1 + 𝑦!!

⇒ 2(x1 –x2) = (y1 +y2) (y1 –y2)

8 *8
⇒ 2=(𝑦- + 𝑦! ) F)" *)& G … (2)
" &

Again z1 –z2 = (x1 –x2) + i (y1 –y2)

8" *8&
Therefore, tan Ɵ = , where Ɵ = arg (𝑧- − 𝑧! )
)" *)&

Fsin Ɵ = # G
> 8 *8 >
⇒ tan # = )" *)&
" &

8" *8&
i.e., 1=
)" *)&

From (2), we get 2 = y1 + y2, i.e., Im (z1+z2) = 2

IN-TEXT ACTIVITY

• Video discussion
(available soon)
• Additional Lecture (pdf)
(link available in lpu.mrooms.net)

SESSION SUMMARY
 SELF ASSESSMENT

Problem Set 1
“Complex Numbers”

Name: ________________ SCORE: ______________

Major: ________________ Date: ________________

REFERENCES

Kreyszig, E., “ Advanced Engineering Mathematics”, John Wiley and Sons,10th edition