COMPLEX NUMBER SYSTEM

There is no real number 𝑥 that satisfies the equation 𝑥 2 + 1 = 0. The solution is ±√−1.
Hence the complex number is introduced.

A complex variable Z is of the form 𝑍 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, where 𝑥being the real part and 𝑖𝑦 the
imaginary part, where 𝑥 and 𝑦 are real numbers. The imaginary 𝑖 in the complex variable is
defined as 𝑖 = √−1 ⟹ 𝑖 2 = −1

An ordered pair of real numbers such as 𝑍 = (𝑥, 𝑦) is termed as complex number

𝑅𝑒 𝑍 = 𝑥 and 𝐼𝑚 𝑍 = 𝑦

Operation on 𝒊

𝑖 = √−1 ⟹ 𝑖 2 = −1

𝒊𝟑 = (𝑖 2 )𝑖 = −1(𝑖) = −𝑖

𝑖 6 = (𝑖 2 )3 = (−1)3 = −1

𝑖 19 = (𝑖 2 )9 𝑖 = (−1)9 𝑖 = −𝑖

etc

Algebraic Operation with Complex Numbers

1. Addition: Two or more complex number can be added to each other by adding the
real part to the real part and the imaginary part to imaginary part as follows:
If 𝑍1 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑
𝑍1 + 𝑍2 = (𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏) + (𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑)
= (𝑎 + 𝑐) + 𝑖(𝑏 + 𝑑)

The subtraction follows the same procedure

2. Multiplication:
(𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑) = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑖𝑎𝑑 + 𝑖𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑𝑖 2
= (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + 𝑖(𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)
3. Rationalizing the denominator of Complex Variable expression
Just like it is done for surds, the denominator of a complex number can be rationalized
to eliminate the imaginary number.
For example,
 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 𝑐 − 𝑖𝑑
= ×
𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 𝑐 − 𝑖𝑑
𝑎𝑐−𝑖𝑎𝑑+𝑖𝑏𝑐−𝑏𝑑𝑖 2
=
𝑐 2 −(𝑖𝑑)2
𝑎𝑐+𝑏𝑑+𝑖(𝑏𝑐−𝑎𝑑)
=
𝑐 2 +𝑑 2
𝑎𝑐+𝑏𝑑 𝑏𝑐−𝑎𝑑
= + 𝑖( )
𝑐 2 +𝑑 2 𝑐 2 +𝑑 2

Note that the conjugate of 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 whis is 𝑐 − 𝑖𝑑 is used to rationalized the

complex number.

Conjugate of a Complex Number

If 𝑍 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, then 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦 is said to be conjugate of Z and is denoted by 𝑍̅

Modulus of Complex Number

If 𝑍 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 be a complex number, then its modulus (or module) denoted by

|𝑍| = |𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦| = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2

The complex number 𝑍 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 which can be represented as ordered pair (𝑥, 𝑦) can be
represented by points in a rectangular coordinate system by choosing the horizontal x-axis
and the vertical y-axis. We plot 𝑍 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = (𝑥, 𝑦), thus

P(x,y)

r
y
𝜃

0 x

This is called Argand diagram.

Polar form of Complex Number

2
 P(x,y)

r
y
𝜃

0 x

If P is a point in the complex plane corresponding to the complex number (𝑥, 𝑦) or 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦,
then

𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃

𝑦
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 , 𝜃 = tan−1 (𝑥 )

𝜃 is called the amptitude or argument of Z denoted by arg 𝑍. Hence

𝑍 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)

Which is called the polar form of complex number and 𝑟 and 𝜃 are called the polar
coordinates.

In exponential form, 𝑍 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃

Examples

Express the following in polar form stating the modulus and the argument or the principal
vector value:

(a) 1 + 𝑖 (b) −5 + 5𝑖 (c) −3 − 5𝑖

Solution

(a) The argand diagram is

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 P(1,1)

1
𝜃

0 1

𝑂𝑃 = 𝑟 = √12 + 12 = √2

1 1 1 𝜋
∴ sin 𝜃 = , cos 𝜃 = ⟹ 𝜃 = sin−1 ( )=
√2 √2 √2 4

𝑍 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)

𝜋 𝜋
= √2(cos ( 4 ) + 𝑖 sin (4 ))

Alternatively
𝜋
𝜃 = tan−1 ( 1) = 4

𝜋 𝜋
∴ 𝑍 = √2(cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( ))
4 4
𝜋
The Principal vector value is 4

(b) 𝑍 = −5 + 5𝑖 = (−5,5), the Argand diagram is

P(-5,5)
5

𝜃
𝛼
-5 0

5 1 5 1
sin 𝜃 = = cos 𝜃 = − =−
5√2 √2 5√2 √2
OP = r = √52 + 52 =√50 = 5√2
𝜋
𝛼 = tan−1(1) = 4 , then 𝜃 = 𝜋 − 𝛼

4
 𝜋
=𝜋−4

3𝜋
== 4

𝑍 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)

3𝜋 3𝜋
= 5√2(cos ( 4 ) + 𝑖 sin ( 4 ))

(c) 𝑍 = −5 − 5𝑖 = (−5, −5).

The argand diagram is

𝜃
-5

𝛼 0

P(-3,-5)

OP = r = √(−3)2 + (−5)2 =√34

5 3
sin 𝜃 = − cos 𝜃 = −
√34 √34
−5
𝛼 = tan−1 ( ) = tan−1(1.667) ,
−3
𝛼 = 59.040
𝜃 = 1800 + 𝛼 = 1800 + 59.040 = 239.040

De Moivre’s Theorem

The De Moivre’s theorem is a useful tool in finding an expression for raising complex
number in polar form to a particular power.

If 𝑍1 = 𝑟1 (cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 ) and 𝑍2 = 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 ) , then

(i) 𝑍1 𝑍2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 [cos(𝜃1 + 𝜃2 ) + sin(𝜃1 + 𝜃2 )]

(ii) 𝑍1 𝑍2 𝑍3 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑟3 [cos(𝜃1 + 𝜃2 + 𝜃3 ) + sin(𝜃1 + 𝜃2 + 𝜃3 )]

Suppose 𝑍1 = 𝑍2 = 𝑍3

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 Then, 𝑍1 3 = 𝑟1 3 [cos(𝜃1 + 𝜃1 + 𝜃1 ) + sin(𝜃1 + 𝜃1 + 𝜃1 )]

= 𝑟1 3 (cos 3𝜃1 + sin 3𝜃1 )

In general,

𝑍 𝑛 = [𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)]𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝜃)

This is called De moivre’s theorem

Examples

1. Find (3 (cos 450 + 𝑖 sin 450 )3

Solution

Applying De Moivre’s theorem

[𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)]𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝜃)

∴ (3 (cos 450 + 𝑖 sin 450 )3 = 33 [cos 3(450 ) + 𝑖 sin 3(450 )]

= 27(cos 1350 + sin 1350 )

1 1
= 27 (− +𝑖 )
√2 √2

27 27
=− +𝑖
√2 √2

2. If 𝑍 = 1 + 𝑖, Obtain 𝑍 20 i. e. (1 + 𝑖)20

Solution

𝜋 𝜋
𝑍 = 1 + 𝑖 = √2 (cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( ))
4 4

𝜋 𝜋 20
𝑍 20 = (1 + 𝑖)20 = [√2 (cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( ))]
4 4
20 𝜋 𝜋
= (√2) (cos20 (4 ) + 𝑖 sin20 ( 4 ))

= 210 (cos 5𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 5𝜋)

= 210 (−1 + 0) = −1024.

3. Obtain the trigonometric expression for cos 3𝜃 and sin 3𝜃 using De Moivre’s theorem

6
Solution

By De Moivre’s theorem, cos 3𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 3𝜃 = (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)3

But

(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)3 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 + 3𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑖(3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃)

⟹ cos 3𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑖(3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃)

Hence

cos 3𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃

𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃 = 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

Or
cos 3𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)

= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃

⟹ cos 3𝜃 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

Similarly

𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃 = 3(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃)𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

= 3 − 3𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

⟹ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃 = 3 sin 𝜃 − 4𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃

Roots of Complex Number

By De Moivre’s theorem,

1 1
𝑍 𝑛 = [𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃]𝑛
1
𝜃+2𝑘𝜋 𝜃+2𝑘𝜋
=𝑟 𝑛 (cos( ) + 𝑖 sin( ))
𝑛 𝑛

𝑘 = 0,1,2, … , 𝑛 − 1

If 𝑍 = 1, then 𝜃 = 0. Hence the nth roots of unity is

7
 2𝑘𝜋 2𝑘𝜋
cos( ) + 𝑖 sin( )
𝑛 𝑛

𝑘 = 0,1,2, … , 𝑛 − 1

Examples
1
𝜋 𝜋
1. If 𝑍 = 9 (cos 2 + 𝑖 sin 2 ), obtain the square roots of Z i.e 𝑍 2

Solution

𝜋 𝜋
1 1 + 2𝑘𝜋 + 2𝑘𝜋
𝑍2 = 92 (cos 2 + sin 2 )
2 2

𝜋+4𝑘𝜋 𝜋+4𝑘𝜋
= 3(cos + sin )
4 4

𝑘 = 0,1

For k = 0,

1 𝜋 𝜋
𝑍 2 = 3 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
4 4
1 1
= 3( +𝑖 )
√2 √2

3
= (1 + 𝑖)
√2

For k = 1

1 5𝜋 5𝜋
𝑍 2 = 3 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
4 4
1 1
= 3(− −𝑖 )
√2 √2

3 3
= (−1 − 𝑖) = − (1 + 𝑖)
√2 √2

1 3
∴ 𝑍2 = ± (1 + 𝑖)
√2

8
 1
2. Find all values of Z for which 𝑍 5 = −32 i .e. find (−32)5

Solution

−32 = −32 + 0𝑖

0
𝑟 = √(−32)2 32, 𝜃 = tan−1 ( −32) = tan−1 0 = 𝜋

∴ −32 = 32(cos 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋)

1 1
𝜋+2𝑘𝜋 𝜋+2𝑘𝜋
(−32)5 = (32)5 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
5 5

𝑘 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

For k = 0
1
𝜋 𝜋
(−32)5 = 2 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
5 5

= 1.618 + 1.1756𝑖

For k = 1
1
3𝜋 3𝜋
(−32)5 = 2 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
5 5

= −0.618 + 1.9021𝑖

For k = 2

1 5𝜋 5𝜋
(−32)5 = 2 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
5 5

= 2(cos 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋)

= 2(-1 + 0)

= -2

For k = 3

1 7𝜋 7𝜋
(−32)5 = 2 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
5 5

= −0.618 − 1.9021𝑖

For k = 4

9
 1 9𝜋 9𝜋
(−32)5 = 2 (cos + 𝑖 sin )
5 5

= 1.618 − 1.1756𝑖

∴ the values of Z are

1.618 + 1.1756𝑖, −0.618 + 1.9021𝑖, −2, −0.618 − 1.9021𝑖, 1.618 − 1.1756𝑖

3. Obtain the 5th roots of unity

Solution

1 2𝑘𝜋 2𝑘𝜋
15 = cos + 𝑖 sin
5 5
𝑘 = 0,1,2,3,4

For k = 0
1
15 = cos 0 + 𝑖 sin 0
=1
For k = 1
1 2𝜋 2𝜋
15 = cos + 𝑖 sin
5 5
= 0.809 + 0.5878𝑖

For k = 2
1 4𝜋 4𝜋
15 = cos + 𝑖 sin
5 5
= −0.809 + 0.5878𝑖
For k = 3
1 6𝜋 6𝜋
15 = cos + 𝑖 sin
5 5
= −0.809 − 0.5878𝑖

For k = 4
1 8𝜋 8𝜋
15 = cos + 𝑖 sin
5 5
= 0.309 − 0.9511𝑖

10
Exercise

1. Simplify the following

(a) 𝑖 21 (b) |1 + 𝑖|2 (c) |3𝑖|
2. Find the moduli and arguments of the following numbers
1−𝑖 2+𝑖
(i) (ii)
1+𝑖 3−𝑖

3. Find the real numbers 𝑥 and 𝑦 such that 3𝑥 + 2𝑖𝑦 − 𝑖𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 7 + 5𝑖

4. Express each of the following numbers in polar form
(i) 2 + 2√3𝑖 (ii) −√6 − √2𝑖 (iii) −3𝑖 (iv) −5 + 5𝑖
𝜋 𝜋 3
5. Simplify (cos 3 + 𝑖 sin 3 )

6. Using De Moivre’s theorem, show that

(i) cos 4𝜃 = 8𝑐𝑜𝑠 4 𝜃 − 8𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 1
1
(ii) 𝑠𝑖𝑛4 𝜃 = 8 (cos 4𝜃 − 4 cos 2𝜃 + 3)

7. Obtain the cube roots of unity

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