Complex

Variables &
Transforms
MATH- 232

Instructor: Dr. Naila Amir

Complex numbers
▪ Complex Numbers and Their Properties
▪ Complex Plane
▪ Polar Form of Complex Numbers
▪ Powers of Complex Numbers
▪ Roots of Complex Numbers
▪ Sets of Points in the Complex Plane
▪ Applications
Mod-Arg Form
Modulus:
The modulus (or absolute value) of a complex number is the length
of the vector 𝑜𝑧:
𝑟 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑧 2

𝑟= 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑧 .
Argument:
The argument (or amplitude) of a complex number is the angle the
vector 𝑜𝑧 makes with the positive real axis. An argument 𝜃 of a
complex number must satisfy the equation:
𝑏
tan 𝜃 = .
𝑎
𝑏
Note: there is an infinite set of numbers 𝜃 whose tangent is , so there exist an infinite set
𝑎
of arguments for 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏.
The modulus and argument of a complex number
▪ Thus, the modulus and argument of a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 are respectively
given as:
𝑏
𝑟 = 𝑧 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 and 𝜃 = arg 𝑧 = arctan ,
𝑎
where 𝑏/𝑎 is the slope, and arctan converts slope to angle. But this is correct only
when 𝑥 > 0, so the quotient is defined, and the angle lies between −𝜋/2 and 𝜋/2.
We need to extend this definition to cases where 𝑥 is not positive.

𝜋 𝑏 𝜋
▪ A calculator will give only angles satisfying:
− < arctan ≤ that is, angles in
,
2 𝑎 2
the first and fourth quadrants. We have to choose 𝜃 consistent with the quadrant
in which 𝑧 is located; this may require adding or subtracting 𝜋 to arctan(𝑏/𝑎)
when appropriate.
 Principal Argument
▪ For 𝑧 ≠ 0, arg(𝑧) represents an infinite set of arguments.
However, for −𝜋 < 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋, there exist a one-to-one
correspondence between 𝑂𝑃 and 𝑟, 𝜃 . This value of 𝜃 is
called the principal value of 𝑧 or the principal argument of 𝑧.
▪ The principal argument of 𝑧 is unique and is represented by
the symbol Arg(𝑧), that is,
−𝜋 < Arg(𝑧) ≤ 𝜋.
▪ Note that any other interval of length 2𝜋 can also be used for principal argument. For
example, we can consider 0 < 𝜃 ≤ 2𝜋.
▪ Relationship between the argument of the complex number 𝑧, denoted by arg(𝑧), and
the principal argument of 𝑧, denoted by Arg(𝑧) is defined as:
Principal argument = Arg 𝑧 = 𝜃 ∈ −𝜋, 𝜋
Argument = arg 𝑧 = Arg 𝑧 + 2𝑛𝜋, 𝑛 ∈ ℤ.
 The function Arg(𝑧): ℂ ∖ {0} → (−𝜋, 𝜋] is defined as follows:
𝑏
tan−1 if 𝑎 > 0, 𝑏 > 0
𝑎
𝑏
tan−1 + 𝜋 if 𝑎 < 0, 𝑏 ≥ 0
𝑎
𝑏
tan−1 − 𝜋 if 𝑎 < 0, 𝑏 < 0
Arg(𝑧) = 𝑎
𝑏
tan−1 if 𝑎 > 0, 𝑏 < 0
𝑎
𝜋
if 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 > 0
2
−𝜋
if 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 < 0
Note: 2
The real axis is part of quadrants 1 and 2 (not quadrants 3 and 4). Given this:
• Positive real numbers are in quadrant 1 and have an argument of 0.
• Negative real numbers are in quadrant 2 and have an argument of π.
 Some Properties of Modulus
For any complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 the product:
𝑧𝑧ҧ = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 𝑎 − 𝑖𝑏
= 𝑎2 + 𝑏2
= 𝑧 2,
is a real number; specifically, 𝑧𝑧ҧ is the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary
parts of 𝑧. Thus, we have:
𝑧 2 = 𝑧𝑧ҧ ⟹ 𝑧 = 𝑧𝑧.ҧ
From this we can easily deduce that
𝑧2 = 𝑧 2
For any two complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 following properties hold:
1. 𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑧1 𝑧2

𝑧1 𝑧1
2. =
𝑧2 𝑧2
 Some Properties of Argument
For any two complex numbers 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 following properties hold:
arg(𝑧1 𝑧2 ) = arg(𝑧1 ) + arg(𝑧2 )
and
𝑧1
arg = arg 𝑧1 − arg 𝑧2 .
𝑧2
However, in general:

Arg(𝑧1 𝑧2 ) ≠ Arg(𝑧1 ) + Arg(𝑧2 )

and
𝑧1
Arg ≠ Arg 𝑧1 − Arg 𝑧2 .
𝑧2

Practice: For 𝑧1 = −1 and 𝑧2 = 5𝑖, show that Arg 𝑧1 𝑧2 ≠ Arg 𝑧1 + Arg 𝑧2 but
𝑧1
Arg = Arg 𝑧1 − Arg 𝑧2 .
𝑧2
Example: Set of points in the Complex Plane
Describe the set of points 𝑧 in the complex plane that satisfy |𝑧| = |𝑧 − 𝑖|.
Solution: We can interpret the given equation as equality of distances. The distance from a
point 𝑧 to the origin equals the distance from 𝑧 to the point 𝑖. Geometrically , it seems
plausible that the set of points 𝑧 lie on a horizontal line. To establish this analytically, we
write |𝑧| = |𝑧 − 𝑖| as:
𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 − 𝑖

𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑥 2 + (𝑦 − 1)2
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 1 − 2𝑦
Horizontal line is the set of points
1 − 2𝑦 = 0 satisfying |𝑧| = |𝑧 − 𝑖|.

The last equation yields 𝑦 = 1/2. Since the equality is true for arbitrary 𝑥, so 𝑦 = 1/2 is
an equation of the horizontal line. Complex numbers satisfying |𝑧| = |𝑧 − 𝑖| can then be
1
written as 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖 .
2
 Practice Questions
Book: A First Course in Complex Analysis with Applications by Dennis G.
Zill and Patrick D. Shanahan.
Chapter: 1

Exercise: 1.2
Q # 1 – 14, 17 – 26.
Polar Form
 Complex Numbers
Book: A First Course in Complex Analysis with Applications by
Dennis G. Zill and Patrick D. Shanahan.

• Chapter: 1

• Sections: 1.3
 Polar Form
▪ Suppose that a polar coordinate system is superimposed on the complex plane
with the polar axis coinciding with the positive 𝑥 −axis and the pole 𝑂 at the
origin.
▪ Then 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑟 and 𝜃 are related by the equations:
𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃.

▪ These equations enable us to express a nonzero

complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 as:

𝑧 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃 = 𝑟 cis 𝜃. (1)

▪ We say that (1) is the polar form or polar

representation of the complex number z.
Example:
Express 𝑧 = 1 − 3𝑖 in polar form.
Solution:
For the present case we have:

−1
− 3 −𝜋
𝑟= 𝑧 = (1)2 + (− 3)2 = 2, 𝛼 = tan = .
1 3
Since the point (1, − 3) lies in the fourth quadrant, so for 𝜃 ∈ (−𝜋, 𝜋],
−𝜋
we take 𝜃 = Arg 𝑧 = . Thus, the polar form of the complex number
3
𝑧 = 1 − 3𝑖, is:

−𝜋 −𝜋 −𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin = 2 cis .
3 3 3
Example:
As it is clear from figure that for 𝜃 ∈ (0,2𝜋], we take
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = arg 𝑧 = 2𝜋 − = .
3 3

Thus, an alternative polar form of the complex number 𝑧 = 1 − 3𝑖, is:

5𝜋 5𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin ,
3 3
5𝜋
= 2 cis .
3
 Conversion between the forms
Polar to Rectangular: Rectangular to Polar:
𝑦
𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑟= 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = |𝑧|, tan 𝜃 = .
𝑥
Euler’s formula and
Exponential form
 Euler’s Formula & Exponential form
Every complex number can be expressed in a polar form which, however, depends on the
use of Euler’s formula:
𝑒 𝑖𝜃 = cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃 .
Thus, we can rewrite polar form, 𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃) = 𝑟 cis 𝜃, of a complex number
𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 as:
𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃) = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 . (2)

Eq.(2) is reffered to as the exponential form of a complex number 𝑧. The angle 𝜃 lies
conventionally in the range −𝜋 < 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋, but, since rotation by 𝜃 is the same as rotation
by 𝜃 + 2𝑛𝜋, where 𝑛 is any integer, so,

𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 ≡ 𝑟𝑒 𝑖(𝜃+2𝑛𝜋) , 𝑛 ∈ ℤ.
Note: Engineers prefer to use exponential form because this form is easy to manipulate.
 Multiplication and Division in Polar Form
The polar form of a complex number is especially convenient when multiplying or
dividing two complex numbers. Suppose
𝑧1 = 𝑟1 (cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 ) and 𝑧2 = 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 ),
where 𝜃1 and 𝜃2 are any arguments of 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 , respectively. Then
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 )(cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 )
= 𝑟1 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 − sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 + 𝑖(sin 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 + cos 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 ))
= 𝑟1 𝑟2 (cos( 𝜃1 + 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 sin( 𝜃1 + 𝜃2 )).
Hence, 𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑧1 𝑧2 and arg 𝑧1 𝑧2 = arg𝑧1 + arg𝑧2 .
Similarly, for 𝑧2 ≠ 0,
𝑧1 𝑟1
= cos( 𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 sin( 𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) .
𝑧2 𝑟2
𝑧1 𝑧1 𝑧1
Hence, = and arg = arg 𝑧1 − arg 𝑧2 .
𝑧2 𝑧2 𝑧2
Multiplication and Division in Exponential Form
Multiplication and division in exponential form are particularly simple.
The product of 𝑧1 = 𝑟1 𝑒 𝑖𝜃1 and 𝑧2 = 𝑟2 𝑒 𝑖𝜃2 is given by:
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑒 𝑖𝜃1 𝑟2 𝑒 𝑖𝜃2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑒 𝑖(𝜃1+𝜃2) .
The relations 𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑧1 𝑧2 and arg(𝑧1 𝑧2 ) = arg(𝑧1 ) + arg(𝑧2 ) follow
immediately. Division is equally simple in exponential form. The quotient of
𝑧1 and 𝑧2 is given by:
𝑧1 𝑟1 𝑒 𝑖𝜃1 𝑟1 𝑖(𝜃 −𝜃 )
= = 𝑒 1 2 .
𝑧2 𝑟2 𝑒 𝑖𝜃2 𝑟2

𝑧1 𝑧1 𝑧1
and the relations = and arg = arg 𝑧1 − arg 𝑧2 follow
𝑧2 𝑧2 𝑧2
immediately.
 Example
Question:
Simplify
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
3 cos + 𝑖 sin × 4 cos + 𝑖 sin .
3 3 2 2
Solution:
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
3 cos + 𝑖 sin × 4 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3 2 2
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
= 12 cos + + 𝑖 sin +
3 2 3 2

5𝜋 5𝜋 5𝜋
= 12 cos + 𝑖 sin = 12 cis
6 6 6

5𝜋
𝑖6
= 12𝑒 .
 Practice
Question:

If 𝑧1 = 1 + 𝑖, 𝑧2 = −1 − 𝑖, 𝑧3 = 1 − 𝑖, and 𝑧4 = −1 + 𝑖 then
properties of modulus and argument, determine modulus and
𝑧1 .𝑧2 .𝑧4
principal argument of 𝑧 where 𝑧 = . Moreover, write down
𝑧3
the polar and rectangular form of 𝑧.