Complex numbers 2

Free Mathematica demonstration projects were used in this presentation ( see http : // demonstra-
tions.wolfram.com/ )

Introduction
Modulus and Argument
The absolute value (or modulus or magnitude) of a complex number z = x + ⅈ y
is
r = z = x 2 + y2
The argument (or phase) of a complex number z = x + ⅈ y is defined to be the angle θ,
which the straight line segment OP makes with the positive real axis (measuring θ positively
from this axis in a counter-clockwise sense).
Complex plane
Im z

Anti-clockwise

Out[ ]= r

Re z
x

 Each non-zero complex number has infinity many arguments which may be written as
θ + 2 kπ , k ∈ ℤ.

 No argument is assigned to 0.
 If it is required that the polar form (or exponential form) should contain only the principal value
of the argument Arg z = θ i.e. -180∘ < θ < 180∘ or - < θ < , the component k 360∘ or k 2 π of the
result is simply omitted.
2 | Complex numbers 2

Polar Coordinates

x = 2.73 r = 4.34
y = 3.38 θ = 0.89

4
x

2 r
y
Out[ ]=

θ
-4 -2 2 4

-2

-4

The polar and exponential forms

Out[ ]= z = x + ⅈ y = r (cos(θ) + ⅈ sin(θ))

or using Euler’s formula ⅇⅈθ = cos(θ) + ⅈ sin(θ) the complex number z = r(cos(θ) + ⅈ sin(θ)) can
be written as

Out[ ]= z = x + ⅈ y = r (cos(θ) + ⅈ sin(θ)) = r ⅇⅈθ

x + ⅈy is called the Cartesian form of the complex number

r (cos (θ) + ⅈ sin (θ)) is called the polar form

r ⅇⅈθ is called the exponential form

 For convenience, the polar form may be abbreviated to r∠θ, where θ may be positive, negative
or zero and may be expressed in either degrees or radians.
 Complex numbers 2 | 3

Multiplication and Division of Complex numbers in the Exponential Form

Out[ ]= z1 z2 = r1 ⅇⅈ θ1 × r2 ⅇⅈ θ2 = (r1 × r2 ) ⅇⅈ (θ1 + θ2 )

Out[ ]= z1 ÷ z2 = r1 ⅇⅈ θ1 ÷ r2 ⅇⅈ θ2 = (r1 ÷ r2 ) ⅇⅈ (θ1 - θ2 )

Logic with Complex Numbers

number of points 3

number of statements 5

show grid lines

show polar grid lines

try again

Move points to make statements true!

10

5
B C
¬ - 7 < Im(B) < - 1 True
A arg(B) > 0 True
3 < C True
-10 -5 5 10
2 < Re(A) < 8 True
¬ - π < arg(B) < π True
4 2

-5

-10

Exercises
Determine the modulus and the principal value of the argument (in radians) of the following com-
plex numbers:
4 | Complex numbers 2

1.
z = -3 + 4 ⅈ

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= r= x2 + y2 = 5

y 4
θ = tan-1 = π - tan-1   ≈ 2.2143
3
x

2.
z=- 2 - 2 ⅈ

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= r= x2 + y2 = 2

y 3π
θ = tan-1 =-
4
x

3. z = 2 - 2 ⅈ

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= r= x2 + y2 = 2 2

y π
θ = tan-1 =-
4
x

4.
Express the complex number z = 3 + ⅈ in polar form

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= r= x2 + y2 = 2

y π
θ = tan-1 =
6
x

5.
Express the complex number z = 3 - ⅈ in polar form
 Complex numbers 2 | 5

Tick to show solution

Out[ ]= r= x2 + y2 = 2

y π
θ = tan-1 =-
6
x