Complex Numbers

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Dr Jelena Grbi c

University of Manchester School of Mathematics Contact: after class, in tutorials, or by email Oce hours: Monday 1-2pm in AT 2.114
Dr Jelena Grbi c Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Denition of Complex Numbers

A complex number is a generalisation of an ordinary real number. A complex number is an ordered pair of real numbers, usually denoted by z or w , etc. If a, b are real numbers then we designate a complex number z = a + ib where i is a symbol obeying the rule i 2 = 1 For simplicity we shall assume we can write i = 1 If z = a + ib, then a is called the real part of z, or Re(z) and
Dr Jelena Grbi c Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

The real numbers can be considered as a subset of the complex numbers where the imaginary part is zero. Two complex numbers z = a + ib and w = c + id are said to be equal if and only if a = c and b = d. The modulus of a complex number z = a + ib is denoted by |z| and is dened by |z| = a2 + b 2 .

The conjugate of a complex number z = a + ib is the complex number z = a ib

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Example To nd the roots of the quadratic equation x 2 2x + 5 = 0 we use the formula x=

b 2 4ac 2a

to obtain x = 2 216 . This shows that there are no real roots but there are two complex roots x = 1 i2

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Argand Diagram

We introduce a geometrical interpretation of a complex number. There is a close connection between complex numbers and two-dimensional vectors. Consider the complex number z = x + iy . Complex number is specied by two real numbers x, y .

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Addition and subtraction of complex numbers

Let z and w be any two complex numbers z = a + ib then z + w = (a + c) + i(b + d) z w = (a c) + i(b d) w = c + id

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Multiplication of complex numbers

Consider any two complex numbers z = a + ib and w = c + id. Then zw = (a + ib)(c + id) = ac + aid + ibc + i 2 bd = ac bd + i(ad + bc)

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Division of complex numbers

Consider any two complex numbers z = a + ib and w = c + id. Then z a + ib = w c + id We want to write the result as a complex number in the Cartesian rectangular form, that is, to specify what are the real and imaginary parts. z a+ib Rationalise the complex number w = c+id : z a + ib a + ib c id = = w c + id c + id c id = ac + bd c2 + d2 +i bc ad c2 + d2

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Example (1 + i2)(3 + i) = 3 + i6 + i + 2i 2 = 1 + i7 Example 1 i = 2 = i i i Example Show that z is always a real number. z z = (a + ib)(a ib) = a2 + b 2 = |z|2 z

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

The Polar Form

The Cartesian (rectangular) form is not the most convenient form when we come to consider multiplication and division of complex numbers. A much more convenient form is the polar form which we now introduce. Using the Argand diagram, the complex number z = a + ib can be represented by a vector pointing out from the origin and ending at a point with Cartesian coordinates (a, b).

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Complex numbers and rotations

When multiplying one complex number by another, the moduli multiply together and the arguments add together. Let w = t(cos + i sin ) and z = cos + i sin Their product is wz = t(cos( + ) + i sin( + )) Remark: This result would certainly be dicult to obtain had we continued to use the Cartesian rectangular form.
Dr Jelena Grbi c Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

The eect of multiplying w by z is to rotate the line representing the complex number w anti-clockwise through an angle which is arg(z), and preserving the length.

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Exercise Using the polar form of complex numbers, prove that if z = r (cos + i sin ) and w = t(cos + i sin ), then z r = (cos( ) + i sin( )) w t

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

The exponential form

We introduce a third way of expressing a complex number: the exponential form. Using the complex number notation, we discover the intimate connection between the exponential function and the trigonometric functions. We show that using the exponential form, multiplication and division of complex numbers are easier than when expressed in polar form.

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Property of the exponential function (Eulers formula): e i = cos + i sin Let z = r (cos + i sin ). Then the exponential form of z is given by z = re i As a special case we arrive at the famous formula relating numbers 0, 1, i, e and : e i + 1 = 0. Using the Euler formula, we describe the connection between the exponential function and the trigonometric functions: 1 1 cos = (e i + e i ) sin = (e i e i ) 2 2i
Dr Jelena Grbi c Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Example As a special case we arrive at the famous formula relating numbers 0, 1, i, e and : e i + 1 = 0. Example Using the Euler formula, we describe the connection between the exponential function and the trigonometric functions: 1 cos = (e i + e i ) 2 sin = 1 i (e e i ) 2i

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Problem Using the exponential form of a complex number, show that the rules for the multiplication, division and modulus of a complex number are as follows z1 z2 = r1 e i1 r2 e i2 = r1 r2 e i(1 +2 ) r1 z1 = e i(1 2 ) z2 r2
i |z| = |re | = r

Problem Express a rule for a complex conjugation in polar form.

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041

Complex Numbers

Denition Argand Diagram Arithmetic Operations Forms

Further Reading

HELM modules 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3.

Dr Jelena Grbi c

Mathematical Methods 2 CHEN 20041