AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley

College

Complex Numbers
B1: Solve Quadratic Equations with Real Coefficients
B2: Add, subtract, multiply, divide complex numbers
z = x + iy the ‘real’ and ‘imaginary’ parts of a complex number
B3: The Complex Conjugate, z*
Conjugate Pairs (when solving polynomial equations)

1. Introduction

A complex number has the form z = x + iy where x and y are real numbers.

e.g. z = 2 + 3i, z= -8 + 0.5i , z = 3 + 0i, z = 5i

x is called the real part of the complex number and y is called the imaginary part

i.e. Re(z) = x and Im(z) = y e.g. for z = 2 + 3i Re(z) = 2 and Im(z) = 3

An important property is i 2 = -1 which is useful when finding the

square root of a negative number, e.g. √−4 = √4 × −1 = √4 × 𝑖 2 = √4 × √𝑖 2 = 2𝑖

The complex number z = x + iy has the complex conjugate z* = x – iy

e.g. the conjugate of z = 2 + 3i is z* = 2 - 3i

Examples 1.1

1. Solve the equation 3z 2 - 2z + 2 = 0. State the real and imaginary parts of each solution.

2. Solve the quadratic equation z2 - 4z + 12 = 0 (simplifying fully all surds in the solution).

Question: what do you notice about the solutions to Q1 and 2?**

3. Write down the complex conjugates of:

1 + 2i
(i) 3 + 2i (ii) - 3 + i (iii) 4 - 2i (iv) 2 - i2 (v) – 3 (vi) 2i (vii)
3
4. If z1 = 3 - 4i, z2 = 1 + i and z3 = -2 + 6i, express the following in the form x + iy

(a) 3z1 (b) z1 + 2z2 (c) z1z2 (d) z1 ÷z2 (e) (z2 x z3)*

OBS. The Class Wiz has a “Complex Mode” that can be used to check answers

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

**B3: Know that the non-real roots of polynomial equations with real coefficients
occur in conjugate pairs

Solving Equations involving complex numbers

Examples 1.2

1. Find the values of the real numbers a and b given that (𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏)(2 − 𝑖) = 𝑎 + 3𝑖

2. Solve (𝑥 + 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖𝑦) = 3𝑦 + 𝑖𝑥

3. Find the complex number z such that 5𝑖𝑧 + 3𝑧 ∗ + 16 = 8𝑖

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Example 1.3

1. Find the square root of 5 − 12𝑖 , giving your answer in the form 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦

2. Given that the complex number 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 is conjugate to its own square, find all
possible pairs of values of the real numbers x and y.

Challenge

3. The complex number 2 + 3𝑖 is a root of the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.Find the

values of b and c (b, c ∈ ℝ)

Exercise 1.1

1. Find the complex roots of the following quadratic equations clearly stating the
real and imaginary parts of the roots:

(a) 2z 2 + 2z + 1 = 0 (b) z 2 - z + 4 = 0
(c) 3z 2 + z + 4 = 0 (d) 4z2 - 6z + 7 = 0
(e) z2 - 8z + 18 = 0

2. Write down the complex conjugates of the following numbers:

(i) 4 + 3i (ii) 2i – 5 (iii) 3 - i3 (iv) -4i

−2−i 3 3+i
(v) 5 (vi) - 1 + i2 (vii) (viii)
4 2
3. Find the values of the real numbers p and q, given that one root of the equation

x2 + px + q = 0 is:

a) 2+i b) - 1 + 3i c) 4i d) 3 - 5i

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Exercise 1.2

1 If z1 = 3 - 4i, z2 = 1 + i and z3 = -2 + 6i, express each of the following in the

form x + iy.

(a) 3z1 (b) z1 + 2z2 (c) 4z2 - 2z3

(d) 6z1 + z2 - 4z3 (e) z1z2 (f) z1z3

2 If z1 = 2 + i2, z2 = 1 - i2 and z3 = -3 + 2i2, express each of the

following in the form x + iy.

a) z1 - 2z2 b) 3z1 + 2z3 c) z1z2 d) z2z3

e) z1z3 f) z1z2z3

Exercise 1.3

1. Find, in the form x+yi, the complex square roots of the complex numbers
a) 3 - 4i b) 2i

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Unit 1 Complex Numbers Homework 1: Introduction

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

B4: Use and interpret Argand diagrams

2. Argand Diagrams

The Argand Diagram is the plane of complex numbers.

- the horizontal axis is used to represent the real part of the complex number
- the vertical axis is used to represent the imaginary part of the complex number.

Im
e.g. z 1 = 4 + 6i is represented here:

6 ∙z

Re
4

Examples 2.1

1. Illustrate these complex numbers in the Argand plane:

(a) z1 = - 2 + 5i (b) z2 = - 3 - 2i (c) z 3 = i - 2 (d) z4 = -2i (e) z5 = 4+i (f) z6 = 6i - 2

2. On the same diagram sketch illustrate z1 + z5. What do you notice?

1
3. Write down the values of i 2, i 3, i 4, i 5 and ( = i -1 ).
𝑖

4. On an Argand Diagram mark and label the position of complex number z = x + iy (x, y
positive real numbers). Now mark and label the approximate positions of

(a) 2z (b) –z (c) iz (d) z* .

Exercise 2.1

For each of the following sequences, simplify the numbers and then illustrate the results
using an argand diagram. Describe any patterns.

(a) i -1, i 0, i 1, i 2, i 3, i 4, i 5, i 6, i 7

(b) (2i )-1, (2i )0, (2i )1, (2i )2, (2i )3, (2i )4, (2i )5, (2i )6, (2i )7

(c) (1 + i )-1, (1 + i )0, (1 + i )1, (1 + i )2, (1 + i )3, (1 + i )4, (1 + i )5, (1 + i )6

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Addition of complex numbers can be visualised as vector addition

Im
Im
Complex number
….. complex number
Z1 = x1 + iy1 added to ….
Z2 = x2 + iy2 …..

x 1+iy 1
x 2+i y 2

Re
Re

Im

(x1+ x2)+i (y1+y2)

….gives this result:

Re

Exercise 2.2

Given z1 = 3 - 4i, z2 = 1 + i and z3 = -2 + 6i,

1. Express each of the following in the form x + iy.

z1
(a) 6z1 + z2 - 4z3 (b) z1z3 (c)
z3

z2 z2 z1 + 2z2
(d) (e) (f)
z1 z3 z3

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Unit 1 Complex Numbers Homework 2: Argand Diagrams

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

B5: The modulus-argument form of a complex number

Conversion between Cartesian form and modulus-argument form
B6: Multiply and divide complex numbers in modulus-argument form
(Knowledge of radians and compound angle formulae is assumed.)

3. The Modulus and Argument of a Complex Number

For the complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦

• The modulus of z, denoted |z| is the distance of the point from the origin.

• The argument of z, denoted arg(z) is the anti-clockwise angle between the line OZ
and the positive x-axis. This is usually in the range (-π, π)
NB: MUST DRAW A DIAGRAM (be careful when x or y or both are negative)

Im
From the diagram we can see that
𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦
𝑥 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑟
𝑦 ∴ 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∴ 𝑧 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝜃
Re
𝑥

NB: when finding arguments:

➢ Always draw a diagram and ➢ Always be in RADIANS

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Example 3.1

Express the complex number 𝑧 = 3 + 2𝑖 in modulus-argument form.

Im
𝑟 = √22 + 32 = √13
𝑧 = 3 + 2𝑖
𝑟 2
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = ; 𝜃 = 0.588 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠 (𝑡𝑜 3𝑠. 𝑓. )
2 3
𝜃
∴ |𝑧| = √13 𝑎𝑛𝑑 arg(𝑧) = 0.588
Re
3

𝑧 = 3 + 2𝑖 can also be written as 𝑧 = √13(cos (0.588) + 𝑖 sin (0.588))

Note: this is conversion from 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 → 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃). You can check your
answers using the Class Wiz

Examples 3.2

1. Express (a) 𝑧 = 3 − 3𝑖 and (b) 𝑧 = −4 − 3𝑖 in the form 𝑧 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)

𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋
2. Find the modulus and argument of (a) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 − 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 4 (b) −3(𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 )
3 3

3. A complex number is given as 𝑧 = 3(cos 34 + i sin 34 ) . Find the modulus and
argument of
(a) z (b) 4z (c) –z (d) iz (e) z*

4. (a) Write the following in the form 𝑧 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) and 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 :

(i) z1 with modulus = 4, argument = 

4 (ii) z2 with |z 2| = 3, arg(z2) = − 34

𝑧1
(b) Find (i) 𝑧1 𝑧2 and (ii) - illustrate both on an Argand diagram
𝑧2
- hence find their modulus and argument
- can you identify any relationships?

Challenge:
1
1. For example 3.1 above find the modulus and argument of (f) z2 (g) z

2. Given z1 = 3 - 4i, z2 = 1 + i and z3 = -2 + 6,

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 AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

a) plot z1 z2 and z3 in an Argand diagram.

b) On the same diagram, plot β1= z1z3, and

z1 z
(c) β2= (d) β3= 2 .
z3 z1

Find the modulus and arguments of β1, β2, β3 . What do you notice?

3.1 Multiplying and Dividing Complex Numbers in Modulus Argument Form:

This complex number z1 …..

Im Im
𝑧1 ….multiplied by this complex number z 2….
𝑧2
𝑟1
𝑟2
𝜃1 𝜃2
Re Re
Im

𝑧1 𝑧2
…gives this result z1z2

𝑟1 𝑟2
𝜃1 + 𝜃2
Re

When MULTIPLYING complex numbers: Multiply Moduli and Add Arguments

𝒓𝟏 (𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝟏 + 𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟏 ) × 𝒓𝟐 (𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝟐 + 𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟐 ) = 𝒓𝟏 𝒓𝟐 (𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽𝟏 + 𝜽𝟐 ) + 𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽𝟏 + 𝜽𝟐 )

and similarly…
𝒓𝟏 (𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝟏 +𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟏 ) 𝒓𝟏
= (𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽𝟏 − 𝜽𝟐 ) + 𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽𝟏 − 𝜽𝟐 ))
𝒓𝟐 (𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝟐 +𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟐 ) 𝒓𝟐

When DIVIDING complex numbers: Divide Moduli and Subtract Arguments

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Example 3.3

Find the modulus and argument of the result of the following calculations:

𝜋 𝜋 5𝜋 5𝜋
(a) 4(𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 4 ) × 5(cos (− ) + 𝑖 sin (− ))
6 6

𝜋 𝜋
3(𝑐𝑜𝑠 +𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 )
3 3
(b) 3𝜋 3𝜋
5(cos(− )+𝑖 sin(− ))
4 4

Exercise 3

1. (i) Find, in the form x + iy, the complex number

(a) z1, which has argument − 23 and modulus 6

(b) z2, which has modulus 6 and argument − 3

4

(ii) Write down, in the form r (cos  + i sin ), where r > 0 and –    
z1
(a) z1z2 (b) z2
(c) z1* (d) –z2,

2. Express each of the following complex numbers in the form r (cos  + i sin )

(a) 2 + 5i (b)- 6 + 5i (c) 4 – 7i (d) - 2 - 3i (e) –1 (f) 3i

3. (a) Find, by direct calculation, (3 – 4i )5

(b) Find |3 – 4i |, arg(3 – 4i ), |(3 – 4i )5| and arg((3 – 4i )5)
(c) Verify that |(3 – 4i )5| = |3 – 4i |5 and that arg((3 – 4i )5) = 5 arg(3 – 4i ) + 2

4. z = 2(cos 3 − i sin 3 ) . Find the modulus and argument (––    ) of

1
(a) z (b) –z (c) –3z (d) iz (e) z 2 (f) z* (g) z

5. The diagram shows a number z in the complex plane. On a copy of the diagram,
mark and label the approximate positions of 2z, -z, z* and iz
Im

Re

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Unit 1 Complex Numbers Homework 3: Modulus-argument form

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

B7: Construct and interpret loci in the argand diagram such as |𝐳 − 𝐚| > 𝐫
and 𝐚𝐫𝐠(𝐳 − 𝐚) = 𝛉. (Knowledge of radians is assumed.)

4. Loci in the Argand Plane

A locus is a path traced out by a variable point. If we let z and a be complex numbers in
the Argand plane, where a is a fixed point, and z is a variable point then

|z – a| is the distance from a to z

arg(z – a) is the angle made with the positive real direction by vector AZ.

z
a
arg(z - a)
arg(z - a)
a z

Examples 4.1

Sketch the loci:

𝜋
1. |𝑧 − 𝑎| = 2 2. |𝑧 − (2 + 𝑖)| = 2 3. 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧 − (2 + 2𝑖)) = 3

−𝜋
4. 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧 − 𝑖) = 5. |𝑧 − 3| = |𝑧 + 𝑖| 6. |𝑧 − 3𝑖| > |𝑧 + 𝑖|
4

−𝜋
7. |𝑧 + 3 − 5𝑖| = 5 8. 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧 + 𝑖) = 9. 3 < |𝑧 + 3| < 4
2

𝜋 𝜋
10. < 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧 − 1) < 2 11. |𝑧 − 𝑎| < 2
6

Problem Solving and Reasoning 4.1

(a) Find the point on the locus z + 3 = 2 at which z − 1 is minimised

(b) Find the point on the locus z − 2 − 2i  2 at which arg(z ) is maximised

**(c) Find the point on the locus z − 1 = z − i 3 at which z is minimized

(part (c) is a good problem solver, take your time on this one ………)

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
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Note:

|𝑧 − 𝑎| = 𝑟 a circle with centre a, radius r

Note: |𝑧 − 𝑎| < 𝒓 is the inside of the circle with centre a, radius r

𝒂𝒓𝒈(𝒛 − 𝒂) = 𝜽 a half line from a (not including a), inclined at angle 𝜃 to the positive
real direction

Note: 𝒂𝒓𝒈(𝒛) = 𝜃 represents the half line though the origin inclined at
angle 𝜃 to the positive real direction

|𝒛 − 𝒂| = |𝒛 − 𝒃| the perpendicular bisector of the line joining a to b

Note: |𝑧 − 𝑎| < |𝑧 − 𝑏| means that the locus of z is not only the

perpendicular bisector of ab but also the whole half plane in which a
lies, bounded by this bisector

Exercise 4.1

1. Sketch the loci:

(a) z + 3i + 1 = 2 (b) z − 2 = z − 1 + i

 
(c) −  arg(z + i )  (d) z + i  z − 1
4 4


2. (a) Find the point on the locus arg(z − 3) = at which z is minimized
4

(b) Problem solver:

Find the point on the locus z + 4 − i = 1 at which z is maximized.

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Complex Numbers Homework 4: Loci

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Short Answers

Exercise 1.1
1 i 1 i 15 1 i 47
1 (a) −  (b)  (c) − 
2 2 2 2 6 6

3 i 19
(d)  (e) 4i 2
4 4

2 (i) 4 - 3i (ii) -2i – 5 (iii) 3 + i3 (iv) 4i

−2+i 3 3−i
(v) 5 (vi) - 1 - i2 (vii) (viii)
4 2

3 a) -4, 5 b) 2, 10 c) 0,16 d) -6, 34

Exercise 1.2
1 (a) 9 − 12i (b) 5 − 2i (c) 8 − 8i

(d) 27 − 47i (e) 7 − i (f) 18 + 26i

2 (a) 3i2 b) 7i2 c) 4 - i2 d) 1 + 5i2

(e) - 10 + i2 f) - 8 + 11i2

Exercise 1.3
1 a) 2 - i and -2 + i b) 1 + i and -1 – i

Exercise 2.1

1. (a) –i, 1, i, -1, -i, 1, i, -1, -i

(b) − 12 i , 1, 2i, -4, -8i, 16, 32i, -64, -128i

(c) 1
2
− 12 i , 1, (1 + i ), 2i , (− 2 + 2i ) , -4, (− 4 − 4i ) , -8i, (8 − 8i )

2. All the patterns spiral outward and anticlockwise about 0

Exercise 2.2

3 i −1 + 7i
1. (a) 27 − 47i (b) 18 + 26i (c) − − (d)
4 4 25
1 i 11 13i
(e) − (f) − −
10 5 20 20

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
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Examples 3.2

1. (i) 3 2 (cos (− 4 ) + i sin(− 4 )) (ii) 5(cos(− 2.498) + i sin(− 2.498))

 
2. (a) modulus 1, argument − (b) modulus 3, argument −
4 3
3. (a) 3, 3
4
(b) 12, 3
4
(c) 3,− 4 (d) 3, 5
4
or - 3
4
(e) 3,- 34
3 3
4. (a) (i) 2 2 + 2 2i (ii) − − i
2 2

(b) −12i modulus 12, argument −
2
(ii) (4/3) + 0i modulus 4/3 argument π

Challenge from Q3 (f) 9, 32 or - 

2
(g) 1
3
,- 3
4

Example 3.3

7
(i) modulus 20, argument −
12
3 11 13
(ii) modulus , argument − (or )
2 12 12
Exercise 3.1
1. (i) (a) − 3 − 3i 3 (b) − 3 − i 3

(ii) (a) 6 6 (cos 712 + i sin 712 ) (b) 6 (cos 12


+ i sin 12

)

(c) 6(cos 23 + i sin 23 ) (d) 6 (cos 4 + i sin 4 )

2. (a) 29 (cos 1.19 + i sin1.19) (b) 61(cos 2.45 + i sin 2.45)

(c) 65 (cos(−1.05) + i sin(−1.05)) = 65 (cos 1.05 − i sin1.05)

(d) 13(cos(−2.16) + i sin(−2.16)) = 13(cos 2.16 − i sin 2.16)

(e) cos() (f) 3isin()

3. (a) -237-3116i (b) 5, − 0.9273, 3125, 1.647

4. (a) 2, − (b) 2,  (c) 6, − (d) 2,  (e) 4, -2 (f) 2, 
(g) ½, 

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AS-Level Further Maths Unit 1: Complex Numbers Winstanley
College

Problem Solving and Reasoning Example 4.1:

1 i 3  1 3
(a) -1 or (-1,0) (b) 2i or (0,2) (c) − + or  − , 

4 4  4 4 
Exercise 4.1

1 (a) circle centre (-1,-3) radius 2

(b) line y = -x + 1
(c) 90 wedge with point at (0,-1): lines at 45 to positive real axis
(d) Region NE of the line y = -x

2. (a) 3 or (3,0)
 4 1 
(b)  − 4 − ,1 + 
 17 17 

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