COMPLEX NUMBERS

SUMMAR Y OF CONCEPT S

COMPLEX NUMBER
3. Multiplication Multiplication of two complex numbers
An expression of the form x + iy, where x and y are real z 1 = a + ib and z2 = c + id is defined as
numbers and i = Pis called a complex number. It is usually z 1 • z = (a + ib) · (c .._ id) = (ac - bd) + l( ad + be) .
2
denoted by z, i.e. z = x + iy where x is called the real part and 4. Division Di vision of two comp lex numbers
y the imaginary part of the complex number z and may be z 1 = x 1 + iy I and z2 = x 2 + iy 2,
denoted by Re (z) and Im (z) respectively.
where x 2 + iy 2 'I:- 0, is defined as
A complex number may also be defined as an ordered pair
z = (x, y) of real numbers. .:L = xi +iy1 = (xi +iy1)(x2 -iy2)

INTEGRAL POWERS OF i
X1X2 + Y1Y2 +i (X2Y 1 - X1 Y2)
Integral powers of i are defined as /J = 1, ; 1 = i, ;2 = - 1, 2 2
3 2
; = i · i = (- 1) i = - i; ,4 = (i2)2 = (- 1)2 = 1, i 5 = ,4 · i = i, X2 + Y2
4
,-6 = 1 • i2 = - 1 and so on.
x ,x2 + Y1Y2 i(x2 Y1 - X1 Y2)
If n is a positive integer such that n > 4, then to find i11 , = - - ,2- -2 - + - -2- -2- .
we first divide n by 4. Let m be the quotient and r be the X2 + Yi X2 + Y2
remainder. Then n = 4m + r, where OS r < 4. Thus
5. Multiplicative Inverse of a Non-zero Complex
i" = ;(4m + r ) = 14m . ;r = (,4r . ;r = ;r ( ·: 14 = l) Number Multiplicative inverse of a non-zero complex number
Note: For any two real numbers a and b, ✓ a x JE = Jab is z = a + ib is defined as
true only when atleast one of a and b is either O or positive.
ra X ✓ -b = (i ✓
z- 1 = -I = = --
a -ib
x -- = ---
a-ib
1n fact, a) (i/E) = ;2,JaE = - Jab , where z a +ib a+ib a-ib a 2 +b 2
a and b are positive real numbers.
a
a2 +b2
EQUALITY OF COMPLEX NUMBERS
Two complex numbers arc said to be equal if and only if their _ 1 Re ( z) . [ - lm ( z)]
i.e. z = - - + , - - --
real parts and imaginary parts are separately equal , 1.e. lz\2 \z\2 .
a + ib = c + id~ a =c and b = d.
Note: Inequality relation does not hold good in case of com- CONJUGATE OF A COMPLEX NUMBER
plex numbers having non-zero imaginary parts. For example, Conjugate of a complex number z = a + ib is defined as
the statement 8 + Si > 4 + 2i makes no sense.
z = a - ib.
ALGEBRA OF COMPLEX NUMBERS For example, 4 +5i =4 - 5i and ➔ - 5i =4 + 5i.
1. Addition For two complex num bers 2 1 = o 1 + ib 1 and
Properties of Conjugate
z2 = a2 + ib 2> their sum is defined as
z = z , + z2 = (a1
+ a 2) + i (bi + b 2) (i) (z) "" z
2. Subtraction For two comp Iex num bers .z 1 = a- 1 ➔ ib 1 and (ii) z= z if and only if z is p1,11:e ly real
. f
z2 = a 2 + ib 2 , the subtraction o 2 2 f ro m z 1 1s def med as
. b ) (iii) z = - z if and only if z is purely imaginary
- ( - Z ) = (o - ll2) +- I (hi - 2 .
ZJ - z - ZI +
2 2 I
 1
(iv) z + z = 2 Re (z) ond z : = 2i Im (z) [Ja +t +a )
x =±
(v) z l + z2 = ~ + z2
(vi) z 1 -z 2 = ~ -z 2
y=±
[Ja1 + h1 -a)
(vii) z1z 2 = z 1 , z2 and 2

... ( -Z1
(vm)
z2
l = =Z1 , z2 :I- 0
z2
From (2), we can dete_rmine the sign of xy. If xy > o, then
x and y wi ll have same sign . Thus

✓a 2 +2_b +a)+; [Ja1+2b -aJ]

(_c__
1 1
(ix) lf z = /(z 1), then z = /(~) Ja+7b =± [

(x) ( zn) = (zY If xy < 0, then

(xt) z 1z 2 + ~ z2 = 2 Re(~ z 2) = 2 Re (z I ~ 2 )
Ja+7b = ± [ ~[ Ja =+: =------
1 2
+a )-; [Ja
1
+;' -•)]
MODULUS OF A COMPLEX NUMBER
Thus, square roots of z = a + ib are .
Modulus of a complex number z = a + ib, denoted as mod (z)
or I z I, is defined as
2 2
±[ t~+a +;J"';"] fo, b > O aad

t~" -;✓ '1;• l

I z I = Ja +b , where a = Re (z) , b = Im (z) .
Sometimes, I z I is called absolute value of::. Note that I z I~ 0. 1
±[ fo, b < O
For example, if z = 3 + 2i, then I:: I= J3 2 +2 2 = JTI .
Properties of Modulus ARGAND PLANE AND GEOMETRICAL
REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS
(i) I z I~ 0 and I z I= 0 if and only if z= 0, i.e.,x= 0,y= 0 y
Let O be the origin and OX and OY
(n) i zl = iz l = 1- zl = 1- zl. be the x-axis and y-axis respectively.
(iii) z z = I z 1 2 Then, any complex number z = x + iy
= (x, y ) may be represented by a y
(iv) - I z I $: Re (z) $ I z I and - I z I $ Im (::)$ I z I
unique point P whose coordinates x•-----,o,-+-_ -r_.___ X
(v) I z'' I= I z 1n
are (x, y ).
(vi) I zi22 I= I z 1 I I z2 I The representation of complex
numbers as points in a plane forms
( ") Iz I- lz2jz1'I
VII - I
;2
- - an Argand diagram. Y'
The plane on which complex numbers are represented is
(viii) jz 1 ± z 2 j $ j z 1 I ➔ i z2 I known as the complex plane or Argand's plane or Gaussia.o
(ix) j Z I -Z2 I ~ j Z J j - j Z2 I plane. The x-axis is called the real axis and y-a,-<is the imagi-
(x) l z 1 +z2 12 +jz 1 - z2 12 =2( lz 1 12 +l z2 l2 ) nary axis.
(XI) I z1 + : 2 J2 = I z 1 12 + Iz2 12 + 2 Re (z 1z2 ) The complex number z = x + iy is known as the alfu of
the point (x, y ) which it represents.
(xii) I z I - z2 12 = I z I J2+ Iz2 12 - 2 Re (z I z2 )
POLAR FORM OF A COMPLEX NUMBER
SQUARE ROOTS OF A COMPLEX NUMBER Let O be the origin and OX and y
Z =x +ry
Let z = a + ib and let the square root of z be the complex OY be the x-axis and y-axis re- p (.r. y)
spectively. Let z = x + iy be a
number x + iy. Then r
complex number represented by y
Ja + ib = x + iy the point P (x, y ). x •------,::-1<-...L-><,~.,-.x
0 x M
or (a + ib) = (x + iy )2 = (x2 - l ) + (2ry) i Draw PM .l OX. Then,
Eq uating real and imaginary part. we get OM = x and PM = y . Join OP. Let
a = x2 - y2 ...(I) OP = r and L XOP = 0. Then
Y'
and b = 2xy ...(2) Z = X + iy
= r (cos 0 + i sin 0)
Now, x2 + y2 = J<x2 - y2 ) 2 +4x 2y2 = Ja 2 +b 2 ...(3)
This fo rm of z is called polar or trigonometric form.
Solvi ng the equation ( I) and (3), we get Comparing rea l and imaginary parts, we get
 X = r COS 0 Particular Cases of Polar Form
... ( I )
and )' = r sin 0 ... (2) (i) I - I + iO = cos O + i si n 0
Squaring (I) and (2) and adding, we get (ii) - I = I +- 10 = cos n + i si n 1t
?- = xi + y2 or r = Jx 2 +y 2 = z II = O + /I = cos
1t . sin. 7t

Thus , r is known and is equal to the modulus of the

(iii) /
2 +- ,
2
complex number z. (iv) - ; = O +i(- I ) = cos(-%)+ism(-%)
Substituting the value of,. in (I) and (2), ' we get
Ji[cos (- ¾ )+ isin ( -¾J ]
cos 0 = JX x+y2 and sin 0 = y ... ())
(v) J - i =
2 ,fx 2+y2
(iv) - 1 - i = Ji[ cos ( -
3
4
1t) + i si n ( - 341t ) J
Dividing (2) by ( 1), we get tan 0 = 2'...
X
Logarithm of Comple x Numbe r
The fonn z = r (cos 0 + i sin 0) = re;a of the complex
= _!_ log( a 2 + ~2 ) + i tan - la
1
number z is called exponent ial form. log (a + i~) (a ~ 0)
2
Any value of 0 satisfying (3) is known as amplitud e· or j7t
log (i~) = log ~ + 2
argument of z and written as 0 = arg (z) or 0 = amp z.
The unique value of 0 such that - 7t < 0 :s; 1t for which Eular's Formula
x = r cos 0 and y = r sin 0, is known as the principal value of e;e = cos 0 + i sin tl
the argument. 7t . . 1t e'l!2
e- ;e = cos 0 - i sin 0, i = cos -2 + 1 sm-2 = ·
The general value of the argument is (2111t + 0). where n
is an integer and 0 is the principal value of arg (z).
log i = log e T= 1; , log (log i) = log( 1; )
While reducing a complex number to polar form, we al-
ways take the principal value. If x > 0, y > 0 (i.e. z is in first
quadrant) , then
= log i + log ( i )= i; + log (n/2).

1
Concept of Rotation V
arg z = 0 = tan- ( ~} If z and z' are two complex num-
. z
If x < 0, y > 0 (i.e. z is in second quadrant), then hers then argument of ----; is the
z

arg z = 0 = 7t - tan- I (,;i} angle through which Oz ' must

be turned in order that it may lie
along Oz.
If x < 0, y < 0 (i.e. z is in third quadrant) , then
Z = ~ = J.:.l. e i(0 - O')

arg z = 0 = - 7t + tan -i(Y)

-; . z' lz'I e;e• lz'I 0
lzl la
= - e.
If x > o, y < o (i.e. z is in fourth quadrant), then lz' I
arg z =0 =- tan
_,(IYI)
-; •
ln general, let z I' z2 z3 be three vertices of a MBC descnbed
in the counter-clockwise sense. Draw OP and OQ parallel and
equal to AB and AC respective ly. Then the point Pis z2 - z 1
is not defined.
Nou: Argument of the comp 1ex num ber O and Q is z 3 - z I and
z3 - z 1 OQ CA 10 lz - : I
' Properties of Argume nt - - - =- (cos o: + i si n o:) = - e = 3 1 e'a
z - z OP 1
BA iz2 -z 1 1 •
2
y
(i) arg (z 1z 2) = arg (z 1) + arg (z2)

(ii) arg ( ;; ) = arg z1 - arg z2

(iii) arg (i) = 2 arg z

(iv) arg (zn) c n arg z

z?) = 8, then arg ( ½

z') • 2k1t - 8whcrck e l.
(v) lfarg z~ (
(vi) arg z =- arg z
 y
N ote that arg (z3 - .: 1) - a rg (z - z ) = a ,s the a ngle (v) The c ube roots of uni1:)' _lie
throug h w h ich OP must be rotated in\ he ~nti clockwise direc- on the unit circle a nd d 1v1de
tion so that it m ay lie alo ng OQ. the circu mfe re nce into three
equ al parts.
Note: We ca n a lso w rite =3 - z1 = I=3 - 2
I
1 e - ,C2n - a.) . (vi) If O + bw + cc,i = 0, the n X
-2 -- 1 12 2- =11 a = h =c pro vided a, b. c are
- i
In this case , we are rotating OP in cloc kw ise di rec tion by real.
an a ng le (27t - a ). S ince th e rotat ion is in clockw ise direc ti on, y·
we are laking negat ive sign with a ng le (27t a ).
Some Useful Relations
DE MOIVRE'S THEOREM
(i} .x2 + /· = (x + iy ) (;c - iy)
If 11 is any integer, the n (ii)x3 + y3 = (x + y ) (x + y w ) (x + yo>2)
(cos 8 + i sin 8}" = cos ne + i s in ne. (iii) .x3 - y3 = (x - y ) (x - y w ) (x - yo>2)
2
(iv) x 2 + xy +I= (x - y w ) (x - y w ), in particular,
Important ResuJts 2
>.2 + x + I = (x - w ) (x- w )
2
(v) x2 - xy+ I = (x + y w) (x +yw ), in particular,
(i) If n is any rationa l num ber, then cos n8 + i s in 118 is
one of the values of (cos 8 + i sin 8)
11 x2 - x+ I = (x + w )(x+ w2 }
e
(ii) (cos + i sin 8)- n = cos i sin 118 ne - (vi) x 2 + /- + z2 - xy - xz - yz = (x + y w + zo>2) (x + yci2 --- zoo)
(iit) (cos 8 - ; sin er = cos n8 - i sin 118 (vii) x3 + y3 + z3 - 3xyz = (x +y + z)(x + w y+ w2z)(x+ ro2y+wz)

(iv)
l
. .
cos8 +ism 8
= (cos 8 + i !\ill 1
= COS 8 - er j sin 8 nth ROOTS OF UNITY
(v) (sin 8 + ; cos 8)" -:# sin n8 + i cos n8 . Since 1 = cos O ;- i sin 0, therefore
11
In fact, (sin 8 + i cos er = cos (';1t -n8) + i sin ( n21t - n0) (1 ) 1111 = (cos O + i sin 0) "
21tr + 0 . . 2 1t r +0
(vi) (cos 8 + ; sin ~r
~ (cos ,,e + ; s in mp) = cos - -
11
- + , sm
n
; r =0, 1, 2, ...,(n-1 )
(vii) (cos 8 l + i sin 8 1) (cos 82 + i sin 82) . .. (cos 8n + i sin 8,,)
21tr 21tr
= cos (8 1 + 82 + ... + en ) + i sin (81 + 82 + ... + 8,,) = cos - - + i sin - - ; r = 0, I , 2, ... , (n - I)
n n
ROOTS OF A COMPLEX NUMBER ,-
2rn
= e n ; r = 0, I , 2, ... , (n - I)
I f z = r (cos 8 + i sin 8) and 11 is a positive integer. then
= 1, /i2nln), e(i47tln ), .. . , e[i2(n - ! )7t/n]
- - 2/m + 8 ) . . 2k1t + 8 ) ]
z nI = r nI [ cos ( + • sm ( , = I, a, a 2, a 3 , .. . , a " - 1, where a= e (,~1t.nl
11 11

where k = 0, I , 2, 3, ... (n - I). Properties of nth Roots of Unity

C ube roots of unity
Let z = 1113 or z3 - 1 = 0 (i) l + <X + a2 + ... + an - I = O
⇒ (.: - I ) (r
+ z + I ) = 0. (u) a · a · a. 2
· ... a " - 1 = (- 1)" - 1
- l+ i../3 - 1- i..fi (iii) The 11, nth roo ts of unity lie on the w1it circle I=I= I
i.e., = = I. 2 ' 2 . and form the vertices of a regular polygon of n sides.
. ) nth rootsof uruty
(1v · (i2~M•
. tionnaG.P. w 1·th common ratioc:
- l + i..fi ? - 1- i..fi
Put w = - - - . then w- = - - -. Th us
2 2
2 GEOMETRY OF COMPLEX NUMBERS
Cube roo ts o f unity are I , w. w .
Distance Formula Distance between tw o po ints : 1 and =:
Properties of Cube Roots of Unity is given by
IZ 1 - Z2 I
(i) 1 + w + w2 =0
(ii) w3 = I Section Formula If the line segme nt joining A (:,) and
B (z 2 J is di vided by the point P (z) in the ratio m1 : 111,· th ~
0
(iii) 0)311 = 1, (1)311 + I = w, (1)3,, + 2 = (l)l
2ni 2m
3 2
m1z2 + m2z1
(iv) 00 = w2 and (w)2 = ro, ww = w , w = e 3 , w = e -3 z =
m 1 + m2
 But if P divides AB externally in the ratto ,n 1 : 111 2, then ..) .h I
(u 1 e equa 1,on z - 211
2 + I2 -
z 2 12 = k represents a circ le
m 1z 2 - m 2 z 1
z= I
z2 12.
1fk ~
2 lz 1
If Pis mid point of AB , then z = 21
+ z2
2 (iii) lfarg
(z, -z 3 )( z 1 -z 4
~
>] =± n , O, the nthe po ·intszi,
[ ( z 1 -z3 H z2 - 24 )
condition for Collinearity Three points z , z and z will
be collinear ·r h . I . I 2 3 z2 , z 3 , z 4 are concycli c.
I t ere exists a re al!on az 1 + bz 2 + cz = o (a , b
3 (iv) I z - z I< r represents interior of the circ le I :: - z 0 I= r and
and c are real). such that a + b + c = 0. In other words 0
I z -z0 I> r represents exte rior o f the c irc le I z - z 0 = r.
z, z,
Threepoints z l' z 2 and z 3 arecollinearif z 2 22 = O. EQUATION OF ELLIPSE
Z3 Z3
If I z - z I I + I z - z, I = 2a, where 2a > I z 1 - z 2 I, then the point
z describes on e llipse havin g foci at z I and z2 and a E R +.
EQUATION OF STRAIGHT LINE
Equation of straight line through z I and z 2 is given by
EQUATION OF HYPERBOLA
z - z, z - z,
z2 - z 1 If I z - z 1 I - I z - z 2 I= 2a, where 2a < I z 1 - z2 i, then jhe point
Z2 - z l
z describes a hyperbola having foci at z I and z 2 and a E R+ .
z z
or zl z1 =O Some Properties of Triangle
z2 Z2
1. If z 1, z2, ::3 are the vertices of triangle then centrnid z 0 m ay
The general equation of straight line is be given as
az + a z + b = 0, where b is a real number.
EQUATION OF THE PERPENDICULAR BISECTOR 2. If z 1, z2, z 3 are the vertices of an equilate ral triangle then
The equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment the circum~entre z 0 may be given as
joining points A (z 1) and B (z2 ) is z2+72+z2=3z 2
I -2 -3 0
z(z1 -z2 ) +z (z 1 - z 2 ) = lz1'2-iz2 i 2
3. If z., z 2, z 3
are the vertices of an equilateral triangle then

EQUATION OF A CIRCLE z f + z? +z; =z 1 z 2 + z2 z3 +:: 3 z 1

The equation of a circle with centre z 0 and radius r is I z - z0 I = r . or - - - + - - - + - - - = 0.
Z 1 -z2
The general equation of a circle is z + a + z + b = 0, z z a Z 2 - Z3 Z3 -z l

where b is a real number. T he centre of this circle is ' - a' and 4. If z I' z2, z 3 are the vertices of an isosceles triangle, right
angled at z 2, then
its radius is ,Ja a - b .
Z1
::?+2+2
z2 Z3 -- 2 .
Z2lZ 1 + z3) .
Important Results
5. If z i' z2 , z 3 are the vertices of right angled isosceles
triangle then
= k is a circle if k * l and is a line if k = I . (z I - z 2) 2 = 2 (-.. I - -7 3) (-
-3 - z2 ) .