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Lecture 1 Module 1 - Why Complex Numbers

This lecture introduces a course covering complex analysis and differential geometry over two parts. Complex analysis will discuss complex numbers and functions, including calculus of complex functions. Differential geometry examines the geometry of objects, curves, and surfaces. The lecture provides background on number systems to motivate the need for complex numbers, which were first introduced by Cardano and later developed by others, in order to solve equations that have no solution in real numbers. Recommended books are provided for each subject area.

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7 views

Lecture 1 Module 1 - Why Complex Numbers

This lecture introduces a course covering complex analysis and differential geometry over two parts. Complex analysis will discuss complex numbers and functions, including calculus of complex functions. Differential geometry examines the geometry of objects, curves, and surfaces. The lecture provides background on number systems to motivate the need for complex numbers, which were first introduced by Cardano and later developed by others, in order to solve equations that have no solution in real numbers. Recommended books are provided for each subject area.

Uploaded by

gh bhatti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LECTURE No.

1
MODULE No. 1

INTRODUCTION

In this course, we will study complex analysis and differential geometry. So obviously, this course has
two parts. In first part, we would discuss "Complex Analysis", and in the second part, we would study
"Differential Geometry”.

The recommended book for the Complex Analysis is " Complex Variables & Applications" by Brown
& Churchil

The recommended book for Differential Geometry is "Elementary Differential Geometry” by


BARRETT O'NEILL.

In Complex analysis, we will discuss complex numbers and complex functions. We will also see
Calculus of complex functions.

As calculus has two parts:

1. Differential Calculus
2. Integral Calculus.

In Differential Calculus, we study derivatives of complex functions and their properties.

In Integral Calculus, we focus our attention on Cauchy theorem and its applications.

In Differential Geometry, we are interested in the geometry of the objects. What are the geometry of
the objects, curves and surfaces? What are their properties?

Since complex analysis is related to the complex numbers and complex functions. First, we would see,
what the numbers are, and how do they help us?

In the ancient times, numbers were used to count different objects, animals etc., but they had no
notations or symbols for the numbers. These numbers are called Natural numbers.
Natural numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, …

Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3,…

Integers: 0, ±1, ±2, ± 3,…


𝑎
Rational Numbers Q = { : 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝑍, 𝑏 ≠ 0}
𝑏

Irrational Numbers I: Those numbers which cannot be written as p/q. The decimal expression for
irrational numbers is non-terminating and non-periodic.

For example, if we calculate the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle whose base and height are 1 each, then
by Pythagoras theorem, the hypotenuse is 2 which is irrational number.

The union of rational and irrational numbers is the sets of real numbers. The real numbers can be
denoted on the real line.

R = Q ∪ I

Now the question was if these all numbers are enough for all types of calculations.

The answer is "NO"

Now we check why these numbers are not enough. For this, we consider the solving of some equations.

EXAMPLE 1

Suppose a boy has Rs 13 and he goes to bazar to buy 6 pencils. After payment, Rs 1 is left, then what is
the price of each pencil?

Let x be price of one pencil.

6𝑥 + 1 = 13

6𝑥 = 13 − 1

6𝑥 = 12

𝑥=2

This equation has solution in the set R of real numbers.


However, for solving other equations, we certainly need bigger set than R.

EXAMPLE 2

Solve 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 2 = 0

SOLUTION

𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2, 𝑐=2

−𝑏 ± 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

−2 ± 2 2−4 1 2
𝑥=
2 1

−2 ± 4 − 8
𝑥=
2

−2 ± −4
𝑥=
2

2( − 1 ± −1)
𝑥=
2

𝑥 =− 1 ± −1

These values of x are not real numbers. So we need a bigger set of numbers which can include solution
of this equation.

EXAMPLE 3

Solve 𝑥2 + 1 = 0

𝑥2 =− 1

𝑥 =± −1

Note that the real number cannot satisfy this equation. So, we need one more number 𝑖 = −1 where
𝑖 is called iota.

So we get the numbers of the form 𝒂 + 𝒊𝒃, 𝒂, 𝒃 ∈ 𝑹. These numbers are called Complex
numbers.
Cardano was the first to introduce complex numbers 𝑎 + −1 𝑏 into algebra but had misgivings
about it.

Cardano discussed a problem from which he discovered complex numbers.

The problem is simple. “Divide 10 into two parts such that product of these parts is 30" He observed
that the real numbers could not help to find such two parts of 10. Only complex numbers could make
such two parts of 10:

5 + −5 , 5 − −5

Sum = 10 = 5 + −5 + 5 − −5

Product = (5 + −5)(5 − −5)

= (5)2 − ( −5)2

= 25 − −5

= 25 + 5 = 30

From this problem, Cardano found the Complex numbers for the first time in the history.

After Cardano, Rafael Bombelli observed and discovered Complex numbers.

Bombelli authored I’Algebra (1572, and 1579), a set of three books.

He says, "At first, the thing seemed me to be based more on to sophism than on truth, but I searched until
I found the proof"

L. Euler (1707-1783) introduced the notation of 𝑖 = −1 . After that, a regular start of Complex
numbers was made.

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