MTH 101 LECTURE SERIES

Topic: Complex Numbers

By:

Dr. O. J. OMIDIRE

Department of Mathematical Sciences, Osun State University,

Osogbo.

February 13, 2025

Course Outline

Contents:
▶ Complex Numbers (Introduction);
▶ Algebra of Complex Numbers;
▶ The Argand Diagram;
▶ De Moivre’s Theorem and Nth Roots of Unity.
Objective

At the end of these lessons, you should be able to:

▶ define Complex Numbers (in your own words);
▶ perform some algebraic operations on complex numbers;
▶ represent complex number diagrammatically on a
2-dimensional plane (Argand diagram); and
▶ state De Moivre’s theorem and express the root of a given
complex number in polar.
References

You can consult:

▶ Essential Mathematics for University Students;
▶ Engineering Mathematics, by K. A. Stroud; Ross, S. M.
(2010). A First Course in Probability (8th ed.). Pearson.
Complex Numbers; Introduction and Meaning

Complex numbers, expressed as a + bj, where a and b are real

numbers and j is the imaginary unit (j 2 = −1), are vital in
mathematics and physics. They extend the real number system,
enabling solutions to equations with no real roots. Complex
numbers find applications in diverse fields, from electrical
engineering to geometry, owing to their algebraic properties and
geometric interpretation on the complex plane.
Introduction

Real Numbers:Real numbers are denoted by R and they are

unions of all types of numbers you are farmiliar with.
Complex Numbers: Complex numbers are numbers that can be
expressed in the form a + bj, where a and b are real numbers, and
j is the imaginary unit, defined as j 2 = −1. Complex numbers
consist of a real part (a) and an imaginary part (bj).
The Symbol j

The solution of the√quadratic equation 2

√ √ m + 1 = 0 are
m = + −1, or − −1 or simply ± −1 which can be written as
m = ±j. The roots belong to the class of complex numbers, j is
called the imaginary part of the solution.In this solution, the real
part is 0 since the roots can be written as m = 0 ± j
Powers of j

√
From the definition of a complex number, j represents −1 and as
such
√
j 2 = ( −1)2 = −1
j 3 = (j)2 j = −1(j) = −j
j 4 = (j 2 )2 = (−1)2 = 1

For

(j)8 = (j 4 )2 = (1)2 = 1
(j)9 = (j 4 )2 · j = 1 · j = j

Also (j)20 = (j 4 )5 = (1)5

Powers of j

Now lets try for negative numbers; negative indices are in the
reciprocal of j.
For j 2 = −1. dividing through by j
j2
= −1
j j
j = −j −1
=⇒ j −1 = −j

For j −2 = (j 2 )−1 = (−1)−1 = −1

j −3 = (j −2 ) · j −1 = −1 × −j = j
j −15 = (j −3 )5 = (j 5 ) = (j 4 ) · j = j
Thus, a complex number can be defined as the combination of real
number and imaginary number.The symbol Z is used to represent
a complex number. Thus,

z = a + jb (1)

where a is the real part and b is the imaginary part or Re(z) = a

and Im(z) = jb. thus

Z = Re(z) + Im(z) (2)

Algebra of Complex Numbers
Addition and Subtraction Given that:
z1 = a1 + jb1
z2 = a2 + jb2
..
.
zr = ar + jbr
Then
z1 + z2 + z3 + z4 + · + zr =
(a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 + · + ar ) + j(b1 + b2 + b3 + b4 + · + br )
r
X r
X r
X
=⇒ zi = ai + j bi (3)
i=1 i=1 i=1

or
r
X r
X
Rei (zi ) + Im(zi ) (4)
i=1 i=1
Algebra of Complex Numbers

for Subtraction
z1 − z2 − z3 − z4 − · · · − zr =
(a1 − a2 − a3 − a4 − · − ar ) − j(b1 − b2 − b3 − b4 − · − br )

Example 1.1
1. Given that z1 = 5 − 3j, z2 = −3 − 2j, z3 = 8 − 43 j then obtain
(i) z1 + z2 + z3
(ii) z1 − z2 − z3
Algebra of Complex Numbers

Solution
i. z1 + z2 + z3 = (5 − 3j) + (−3 − 2j) + (8 − 34 j) =
(5 − 3 + 8) + j(−3 − 2 − 43 ) = 10 − 19
3 j
ii. z1 − z2 − z3 = (5 − 3j) − (−3 − 2j) − (8 − 43 j) =
(5 − 3 − 8) + j(−3 + 2 + 34 ) = 31 j
Multiplication

Multiplication of complex numbers are evaluated just in the same

manner we calculate an algebraic expression

Example 1.2
Simplify the following expressions
i. (2 − 5j)(4j − 5)
ii. (7 − 4j)(4 − 3j)
iii (6 + 2j)(5 − 3j)
Algebra of Complex Numbers

Solutions
(i.) (2 − 5j)(4j − 5) = 2(4j − 5) − 5j(4j − 5) = 8j − 10 − 20j 2 + 25j
Recall that j 2 = −1
(2 − 5j)(4j − 5) =⇒ 8j − 10 − 20(−1) + 25j = 33j + 10 or
10 + 33j
(ii.) (7 − 4j)(4 − 3j) = 7(4 − 3j) − 4j(4 − 3j) =
28 − 21j − 16j + 12j 2 = 16 − 37j
(iii.) (6 + 2j)(5 − 3j) = 6(5 − 3j) + 2j(5 − 3j) = 36 − 8j
Complex Conjugate

Complex numbers and their corresponding conjugates are identical

only for the sign of the imaginary term. For example, a + bj and
a − bj are conjugate complex numbers. However, a + bj and b + aj
are not conjugates rather they are distinct complex numbers. Also,
a − bj and −a + jb are also not the same complex numbers.
Division of Complex Numbers

For operation of division with complex numbers, the conjugate of

the denominating complex number is required

Example 1.3
Simplify the following. (i) 8−5j 2
2 (ii) 8−5j
Algebra of Complex Numbers

Solution
(i.) 8−5j
2 is just a real division and it has no complex denominator.
therefore the operation is performed just as normal rational
8−5j 8 5j 5j
2 = 2 − 2 =4− 2
Algebra of Complex Numbers

2
(ii.) 8−5j shows that the denominator is a complex number and as
such require that the conjugate of the denominator for its
evaluation.
2 2 8+5j 2(8+5j) 16+10j 16+10j 16 10
8−5j = 8−5j × 8+5j = (8−5j)(8+5j) = 64+25 = 89 = 89 + 89 j
Algebra of Complex Numbers

Equal Complex Numbers Complex numbers are equal only if

their real parts are equal and so is the imaginary parts.

Example 1.4: Find the value of m and n if z1 = z2 where

z1 = 5 + jb and z2 = a + 8j
Solution
Since z1 = z2 this implies that a = 5 and b = 8
Argand Diagram

In 1806, the French mathematician Jean-Robert Argand

represented a complex number on a 2-dimensional plane which
popularly reffered to as Argand Diagram.

Argand diagram is a 2-dimensional plane for graphical

representation of a complex number.
Argand Diagram

Example 1.5: Draw an Argand diagram to represent the following

complex numbers
(i.) z1 = 3 + j5
(ii.) z2 = −4 − 3j
Solution
Polar Form of a Complex Number

Consider the Argand diagram for z = x + iy

Then, p
r 2 = x 2 + y 2 or r = x 2 + y 2
tan θ = yx or tan−1 yx = θ
x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ
Since z = x + jy , it may be re-written as

z = r cos θ + jr sin θ (5)

This is called the polar form of a complex number z.

Polar Form of a Complex Number

Remarks
(1) r is called the modulus of z, denoted by ”mod z” or |z|
(ii) θ is called the argument of z denoted by ”arg z”
Polar Form of a Complex Number

Example 1.6: Express the following complex numbers in polar

form.
1. z1 = 1 + j1
√
2. z2 = 3 + j
Polar Form of a Complex Number

Solution. p
(1) √Let z1 =√ 1 + j, since r = (x 2 + y 2 ), this implies
r = 1 + 1 = 2.
It is known that θ = tan−1 yx , this implies θ = tan−1 11 = π4 .
√
Since x = r cos θ, therefore, x = 2 cos π4 ,
√
Similarly, y = r sin θ, therefore, y = 2 sin π4 ,
since z = r (cos θ + j sin θ) in polar form, it follows that
Polar Form of a Complex Number

√
z = 2(cos π4 + j sin π4 ) is the polar form of z1 = 1 + j1
√ p
(2) qLet z1 = 3 + j, since r = (x 2 + y 2 ), this implies
√ √
r = ( 3)2 + 1 = 4 = 2.
We know that θ = tan−1 yx , this implies θ = tan−1 √1 = π6 .
(3)
since x = r cos θ, therefore, x = 2 cos π3 ,
Polar Form of a Complex Number

Similarly, y = r sin θ, therefore, y = 2 sin π3 ,

since z = r (cos θ + j sin θ) in polar form, it follows
√ that
z = 2(cos π3 + j sin π3 ) is the polar form of z1 = 3 + j1
Polar Form of a Complex Number

NOTE: Complex numbers in the form:

(i) z = x + jy has its expression in standard form.
(ii) z = rLθ or r cos θ + jr sin θ has its expression in polar form
(iii) z = r ℓj θ has its expression in exponential form
Roots of a Complex Number

Recall that for a complex number in polar form it can be expressed

as follows:
z1 = r1 (cos θ1 + j sin θ1 ) (6)
De Moivre’s Thorem; Nth Roots of a Complex Number

z2 = r2 (cos θ2 + j sin θ2 ) (7)

then let z = z1 z2 ,
z = r1"r2 (cos θ1 + j sin θ1 )(cos θ2 + j sin θ2 ) #
=r1 r2 (cos θ1 cos θ2 − sin θ1 sin θ2 ) + j(sin θ1 cos θ2 + sin θ2 cos θ1 ))
" #
=r1 r2 cos(θ1 + θ2 ) + j sin(θ1 + θ2 )
Roots of a Complex Number

Now, assume that z1 and z2 are alike and each is

z = r (cos θ + j sin θ), r1 , r2 , θ1 , θ2 ;
z 2 = r 2 (cos 2θ + j sin 2θ)
Thus in general:
Roots of a Complex Number

z n = r n (cos θ + j sin θ) (8)

Recall that z = r (cos θ + j sin θ), substituting
[r (cos θ + j sin θ)]n = r n (cos nθ + j sin nθ)
This is referred to as the De moivre’s theorem.
Roots of a Complex Number

Example: 1.7
Simplify the following
(a) [9(cos 700 + j sin 700 )]2
(b) [3(cos 210 + j sin 210 )]3
1
(c) [81(cos 880 + j sin 880 )] 2
Roots of a Complex Number

Solution
By using the De moivre’s theorem
(a) [9(cos 70o + j sin 70o )]2 = 92 (cos 2(70o ) + j sin 2(70o )) =
81(cos 140o + j sin 140o )
(b) [3(cos 21o + j sin 21o )]3 = 33 (cos 3(21o ) + j sin 3(21o )) =
27(cos 63o + j sin 63o )
1 1
(c) [81(cos 88o + j sin 88o )] 2 = 81 2 (cos 12 (88o ) + j sin 12 (88o )) =
9(cos 44o + j sin 44o )
Solved Problem

See the refrence books

Exercises

Solve exercises 8a and 8b on pages 59-65 in Essential Mathematics

for University students.
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GOD BLESS YOU