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Chapter 4
Complex Numbers

Contents:
(a) Modulus and argument.
(b) Cartesian, Polar and exponent forms.
(c) de Moivres Theorem.
(d) Locus.


(a) Modulus and argument




For a complex number z = a + bi on an Argand diagram, let r be the distance from origin and
be the angle from real axis, then , is known as the Polar Coordinates of the point.

distance, = || =

.
angle, = arg for < .


From the diagram:

=

, =
2

=

, =
So, = + = + .
Modulus-argument form of complex number

= +
where distance, = || =

angle, = arg for < .

Note: = + can be written as = .


Example:
Write the following numbers in modulus-argument form.

(a) i (b) -2 (c) -2 + i (d) -1 i

Solution:
(a) =

(b) = 2 +
(c) = 5153.4 + 153.4
(d) = 2cos 135 + 135



Example:
Find the conjugate for =
1+2
3+
in Polar form.

Solution:




Example:
Find the values of a, b, r, if
3 + 4

= + = + .

Solution: a = -7, b = 24, r = 25, = 106.3





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Operations on modulus and argument

Let complex numbers as s and t, then

(a) || = ||||
arg = arg + arg + 2

(b)

=
||
||

arg

= arg arg + 2
where k = -1, 0, 1 so that < .

Example:
If = 3 + and = 2 + 2 , find st and

in modulus-argument form.

Solution:
(i) 4(cos(-165 + i sin(-165)) (ii) cos105 + i sin105



Example:
If = 2

3
+

3
, = 2

4
+

4
, = 4 cos
5
6
+
5
6
, find the
following in modulus-argument form:

(i) su (ii) st
2
u

Solution: (i) 8(cos(-90) + i sin(- 90) ) (ii) 32(cos0 + i sin 0 )




(b) Cartesian, polar and exponent forms

(a) If = + , then = + .
(b) If = + , the exponent form of

is defined as

+
where |

| =

, arg

= +2 so that < .

Example:
Find the following in the form of a + bi , then show them on an Argand diagram

(a) 2

3
+

3
(b) cos(-3) + i sin(-3)

Solution: (a) 1 + 3 (b) - 0.99 - 0.14i
4

Example:
Show

= + and hence show that

+ 1 = 0.




Example:
Plot the following on an Argand diagram:

(a)

(b)

Solution: (a) -1 (b) 1.47 + 2.29i





(c) de Moivres Theorem

Polar form of complex number:
(a) = +

Note: can be written either in degrees or radians.
(b) =

( must be in radians).


For any value of n :

+ --- de Moivres Theorem

Example:
Express 1 i in the Polar form and hence evaluate 1

.

Solution: 2cos 45 + 45, -64




From de Moivres Theorem

+

(a)

=

where k = 0, 1, 2, , n 1.

In exponent form:

=

.
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(b) When =

+2 + +2
where k = 0, 1, 2, , n 1.

Example:
Given that =
1
2
+
1
2
, evaluate

(a)

(b)

(c)

.

Solution:
(a) 0.3218 + 0.7769i , - 0.3218 - 0.7769i
(b) 0.63+ 0.63i , - 0.861+ 0.231i , 0.231- 0.861i
(c) -1.26i , 1.09 + 0.63i , -1.09 + 0.63i





Example:
Solve

+ 2 3 + 5 = 0.

Solution: 2 -3i, 1+ i





(d) Locus

A locus is the set of points that have a specified property. It can be described by a graph in the
Argand diagram or a Cartesian equation.

(i) Straight lines

Example:
Find and draw the locus z for the following:

(a) Re(z) = 4 (b) Im((1-2i)z) = 3




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(ii) Equations and inequalities involving modulus

| | =
| | <
| | >
| |
| |

Circle

(iii) Equations and inequalities involving arguments

(a) arg =
(b) 0 < <
(c) arg <

Example:
Draw the locus z for the following:

(a) | z + 3i -1 | = 2
(b) | z + 1 | | z 6 + 3i |
(c) | z -3 + 2i | 1
(d) | z | | z + 4i |
(e) arg 1 =

(f)

arg + 1

Example:
Find the Cartesian equation of the locus of z given by | z + 1 | + | z 1| = 4.

Solution:

= 1