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The Operator j and a Demonstration that

$\cos\theta + j\sin\theta = e^{j\theta}

Article March 1965

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I.R .E.E. TUTORIAL EXERCISE

The Operator j and a Demonstration that

Cos () + J Sin () = e jo
E. O. WILLOUGHBY**

Some of us remember our early introduction to j = Thus (in fig . 2)

V (-1) (where this was a strictly algebmic definition) , with --+ --+ --+
a sense of unreality, which was removed as we learned OC = (1 + jO j N)OB = (1 + jOjN)2 OA
--+ --+
more complex variable. I am writing for those of y ou OD = (1 + jOj N)3 OA
who would like some realism introduced into the use of
this symbol, and are in the early years of your professional and so on, until we reach OP
education. Others may find interest in the treatment --+ - -+
as another approach.
OP = (1 + jO j N)N OA
Let us start off by considering j as an operator that --+ --+ --+
turns a vector to a position at right angles to the original
Clearly, however, OP = OM + MP
--+
position (where this is an operational definition), then = OA( cos' 0 + j sin 0)
if (in fig. 1) we measure unit length along OX as OA

. 0
9
\+ J1f
B
'8
J-j\f
o A x o A
Figu1'e I. - Rotation of tmit veet01' th1'ough a minute angle 8j N .
F igu1'e ?'. -Adding of N 1'ota.tions of (J j N to 1'oiate unit vectm' th1'ough
an angle (J ,
--+
and we then rotate OA through a very small angle 0j N
Hence lim N--+oo (1 + jOjN)N = cos 0 + j sin 0,
the vector In algebra we have the definition of
--+ --+
OB = (1 + jOj N)OA ere = lim N_oo (1 + xjN)N
--+ - -+ --+ Clearly then by analogy we may write
for the length of AB = 0j N , and OB = OA + AB
ei(J = cos 0 + j sin 0
This (1 + j 0jN) is clearly an operator which turns OA
through an angle 0j N , and if N is infinitely large it will and since the process is one of rotation the length does
not change, and ei(J means to rotate through an angle e.
not change its length because
V( l + 02j N2) -+ 1, as N -+ 00. Appendix
**Professor of E lectrical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Those of you who are good geometers will s&1
S.A.
Manuscript received by The Institution April 15, 1964.
(1 +
j 0jN)N travels on a spiral ; we will now show th&t
U.D.C. number 512.9. if N is large enough this converges to the circle,

118 Proceedings I.R.E .E. Australia March, 1965

 WILLOUGHBY; The Operator j and a Demonstration that Cos 6 +j Sin 6 = ei 8

Length of OB = V[1 + (6 jN)2] Length of OP = {I + N(6jN)2}t

Length of 00 = {I + (6jN)2 + (6 j N)2} i ~ 1 + 62 j2N
Lellgth of OD = {I + 3( 6jN)2} t -+ 1 when N -+ 00

and so on.
Exercises
The understanding of the method may be improved
by the following simple exercises.

1 (1) Operate with j twice on unit vector to show j2 = ~ l.

sIn 8 (2) Operate on the vector - 1, to show - j is 270 forward 0

\
0 rotation or 90 0 reverse rotation.
8 C
B j (3) By rotation through - 6, we obtain
cos 6 - j sin 6 = e- ;o

O~
show that
cos 8 A X
cos 6 = t(e10 + e-10 )
Figw'e 3.- Vector spill-al becomes unit ci?'cle as N becomes infinite. j sin 6 = t(e U} - e- 10 )

ONTRIBUTORS
J. O. Limb was born at Pinjarra, Western J. L. Salpeter studied p hysics at t h e J . G. Wilcox was born in Sydney in 1936.
Australia, in 1939. In 1962 he graduated University of Vienna where h e published some H e attend ed t h e University of N.S.W. as
with honou rs as a B achelor of Engineering papers on atmospheric electricity. His early a Oommonwealth Oadet Engineer an d gradu-
from the U niversity work included one of ated as Bachelor of En-
of W est ern Australia . t h e firs t theories on t he g ineering (Elect rical)
From Septemb er 1961 r eflection coefficient of in 1960.
to March 1962, h e an ionized gas for H e worked with t h e
worked at the P ost- electromagnetic waves. Head Office of t h e
master-Genera1's De- H e also publish ed a Department of Oivil
partment Research textbook on calculus Aviation in Melbourne
Laboratories on pro - for natural scientists. for four years on t he
blems relating ~o t he Upon completion of evaluation of develop-
efficient coding of his university studies, ments in the field of
television signals. Dr. Salpeter entered radio navigation . Dur-
Since t h en h e has industr y, working on ing this p eriod he lec-
con tinued working on the incandescen t lamps t ured at t he Royal
various a sp ects of t his and radio tubes, first in Melbourne Institute of
problem with a re- Hungary and then in T eclmology on this
search group in the E lectrical Engineering Austria. H e invented a new process for subj ect.
Department of the U niversit y of Western m anu facturing small grain coiled tun gsten Mr. Wilcox is n ow working with Bendix-
Australia. filament for v ibration proof lamps. T ecnico P ty. Limited in the capacity of
In 1939, h e travelled to L ond on and even tu- T echnical Ser vices Engineer. His r esponsi-
ally to Australia where h e joined Philips b ilities h ere are concerned with the resolution
E. O. Willoughby, P rofessor of Electrical Electrical Industries P ty. Ltd. as a research of technical aspects of the compan y's activ i-
Engineering , University of Adelaide, S.A. p h ysicist. H e was engaged in studies in t ies in avionic systems, radio equipment ser-
since 1946. fluorescent lightin g, television optics, a nd vicing, and instrumentation recording on
magnetic materials and their application s. magnetic tape.
At present h e lives in retirement in Adelaide .
South Australia.
Dr. Salpeter is an honorary m ember of
The Illuminating Engineering Society of
Australia.

March', 1965 Proceedings I.R.E.E. Australia 119

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