1

Complex Number

Representation of complex number

Definition: i 1 =

A complex number z can be defined as i , , x y x y + .

Rules of complex number

If
1 1 1
i z x y = + ,
2 2 2
i z x y = +
1.
1 2 1 2 1 2
and z z x x y y = = =
2.
1 1 1 1 1
( i ) i kz k x y kx ky = + = +
3.
1 2 1 2 1 2
( ) i( ) z z x x y y = + +
4.
1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2
( i )( i ) i z z x y x y x x y y x y x y
| |
|
\
= + + = + +

2

Conjugate

The conjugate of a complex number i , , x y x y + is defined as
*
i z x y = .

Uses
1. Simplifying complex number
2. Roots of equation

Rules
1.
*
*
z z
| |
|
|
\
=
2.
*
2 z z x + =
3.
*
i2 z z y =
4.
* 2 2
zz x y = +
5.
*
* *
1 2 1 2
z z z z
| |
|
\
=
6.
2
2
*
*
1 1
*
z z
z
z
| |
|
|
|
\
=
3

Worked example: Simplify
4 i
2 3i
+
+
.

(8 3) i( 2 12) 4 i 4 i 2 3i 11 10i 11 10
i
4 9 13 13 13 2 3i 2 3i 2 3i
=
+ + + + + +
= = = +
+ + +


Example: If 4 i3 z = , express
2
z and
1
z
z
+ in the form i , , a b a b + without the use of
a GC. Ans:
2
7 i24 z = ,
1 4 3i 104 72
4 3i i
25 25 (4 3i)(4 3i)
z
z
+
+ = + =
+


2
(4 3i)(4 3i) 16 24i 9 7 24i z = = =
1 4 3i 4 3i 104 72
4 3i 4 3i i
25 25 25 (4 3i)(4 3i)
z
z
+ +
+ = + = + =
+


4

Representation of a complex number on an Argand diagram

A complex number can be presented on an Argand diagram


Im
Re
z

z
5

Length of a complex number

If i z x y = + , the length of this complex number is
2 2
z x y = +

Rules:
1.
*
z z =
2.
2 1 2 1
z z z z =
3.
2
1
1
2
z
z
z
z
=
4.
n
n
z z =
6

Argument of a complex number

The argument , < of a complex number if defined as the angle between the
complex number and the positive x-axis.
Note: if is not in range, add or subtract 2 till it is in range
1
tan
y
x

=
,first quadrant
,second quadrant
,third quadrant
,forth quadrant

=
+

Rules:
1.
( )
*
arg arg z z
| |
|
|
\
=
2.
1 2 1 2
arg arg arg z z z z
| | | | | |
| | |
\ \ \
= +
3.
1
1 2
2
arg arg arg
z
z z
z
| |
| | | | |
| |
|
\ \ |
\
=
4.
( )
arg arg
n
z n z
| |
|
\
=
7

3 ways to represent a complex number
1. i , , z x y x y = +
2. Modulus argument form isin cos z r
| |
|
\
= +
3. Euler form
i
z re

=

Conversion between the 3 forms


i x y +
isin cos r
| |
|
\
+
i
re

sin
cos
y
x r
r

=
=
2 2
x r z y = = +
1
tan
y
x

=
=
= = +
=
8

Example: Express the complex number 2 i2 + into modulus argument form and Euler
form. Ans:
3
i
4
3 3
2 cos isin 2 2
4
i2 2
4
2 e


| |
|
|
|
\
+ = + =

2 2
2 2 2 2 r + = =
1
2
tan
2 4

= =

3
4 4

= =
3
i
4
3 3
2 cos isin 2 2
4
i2 2
4
2 e


| |
|
|
|
\
+ = + =
Im
Re
z

9

Simplifying complex number of the form
1
2
z
z
or
1 2
z z
1. Use of GC
2. Multiply by
*
2
z for
1
2
z
z

3. Convert to Euler form
a. When
1
arg z
| |
|
\
and
2
arg z
| |
|
\
are basic angles
b.
1
z and
2
z has high power. Eg
5
1 i
| |
|
\
+

Example: If
1
5 5
6 cos isin
12 12
z

| |
|
|
\
= + and
2
3 3
3 cos isin
4 4
z

| |
|
|
|
\
= + , find
1 2
z z and
1
2
z
z
in the
form i a b + . Ans:
1 2
9 3 i z z
| |
|
|
\
= + ,
1
2
1 i 3
z
z
=
10

5
1
i
6
5 5
6 cos isin 6
6 6
z e


| |
|
|
\
= + =
3
2
i
4
3 3
3 cos isin 3
4 4
z e


| |
|
|
|
\
= + =
5 3 7 7 5
i i i 2 i
12 4 6 6 6
1 2
18 18 18 18
18 cos isin 18 cos isin
6 6
1
5 5
18 9
6 6
3
3 i9
2 2
z z e e e e

| | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
\ \ \ \
| |
| | | |
| |
|
| |
|
|
| | |
|
\
\ \
\
| |
|
|
|
\
+

= = = =
= + =
=

=

5 3
i i
12 4 3
1
2
2 2
2 cos isin 2 cos isin
3 3
1
2 1 i
2
3 3
3
3
2
z
e e
z


| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
\ \
| |
| | | | | |
|
| | |
|
| | |
|
\ \ \
\
| |
|
|
|
\

= =
= + =
=

=


11

Loci
1. Circle
1
z z r =

2. Perpendicular bisector
1 2
z z z z =

3. Half Line
1
arg z z
| |
|
\
=

Re
Im
1
z

Re
Im
1
z
2
z
Re
Im
1
z
r
12

Examples: Sketch the loci of the following:
a) 2 i 2 z + =
b) 3 i z z = +
c) arg 3 i
2
z
| |
|
\
+ =

a)
2 i 2
2 i 2
z
z
| |
|
\
+ =
=

1
0.5
- 0.5
-1
- 1.5
-2
- 2.5
-3
1 2 3 4 5 6
(2,-1)

13

b)
3 i
3 i
z z
z z
| |
|
\
= +
=

3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
- 0.5
-1
- 1.5
-2
- 2.5
-3
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
(3,-1)
(0,0)


c) arg 3 i arg 3 i
2 2
z z

| |
| | | |
|
| |
|
\ \
\
+ = = + =
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
-0.5
- 1
-1.5
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3
(-3,1)


14

Other loci

Some loci may not be of the 3 standard forms. You may need to do some manipulation.

Worked examples: Sketch the loci of the following:
a) i 4 2 4i z z =
b)
( ) ( )
Re Im z z =

a)
i 4 2 4i
i 4i 1 2 4i
4i 2 4i
z z
z z
z z
| |
|
\
| | | |
| |
\ \
=
+ =
=




15

b)
Let i z x y = +
( ) ( )
Re Im z z
y x
=
=




Re
Im
z
16

Inequalities
1. Circle
1
z z r

2.
1 2
z z z z

3.
1 1 2
arg z z
| |
|
\


Note: If the inequality has no equal sign, the loci need to be drawn in dotted line.

Re
Im
1
z
2
z
Re
Im
1
z
1

Re
Im
1
z
r
17

Example: Shade the loci of the following
a) 2 i 2 z +
b) 2 i z z +
c) 0 arg 1
4
z
| |
|
\


a)

Im
Re O
(2, -1)
18


b)
2 i
2 i
z z
z z
| |
|
\
+



c) 0 arg 1
4
z
| |
|
\





Re
Im
Im
Re
O
1
2
19

Example: Find arg( 1) and Im( ) 2
3 2
z z

<



20

Relationship between loci
1. Finding intersection between loci
2. Finding maximum, minimum distance
3. Finding maximum, minimum argument

Some methods
1. Forming triangles, especially right angle triangle
2. Drawing tangents to circle, forming right angle triangle
3. Forming Cartesian equation, solve for intersection, max, min problem (Calculus)
a.
2 2
2
1 1 1
z z r x x y y r
| | | |
| |
\ \
= + =
b. Mid point is
( )
1 2 1 2
, ,
2 2
m m
x x y y
x y
| |
|
|
|
\
+ +
=
Gradient is
1 2
1 2
x x
m
y y

=


( ) m m
y y m x x =
c.
1 1 1
arg tan z z x x y y
| | | |
| |
\ \
= =
21

Example: Sketch the loci 2i 1 z hence find the range of values of
( )
arg z .
Ans:
( )
arg
2
3 3
z



1
sin
2
6

=
=

min
2 6 3

= =
min
2
2
3 3

= + =
22

Example: Sketch the loci of 1 i 1 z+ . Hence find the minimum and maximum value
of 1 z . Ans: min 5 1 units = , max 5+1 units =



Minimum distance is
2
2
uni 1 1 0 1 5 ts AB
| |
| | | |
|
| |
|
\ \
\
= = +
Maximum distance is 1 5 1 units AC AB + = + =
Re
Im
1,1 A
| |
|
\
1,0 B
| |
|
\
C
23

Example: Find the intersection between the loci between 4i 4 z = and arg 3i
4
w
| |
|
\
= .
Ans:
1 1
31 i 31
2 2
1 7
| | | |
| |
| |
\ \
+ + +

Equation of circle
2
2
4 4 x y
| |
|
\
+ =
Equation of half line
3 tan 1
4
3
y x
y x
| |
|
\
=
= +

Solving,
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
1 1
3 4 4
1 16
2 2 15 0
2 4 4 2 15
4
2 31
4
1 1
31 , 31 rejecte 1 d
2 2
x x
x x
x x
x
x
x
| |
|
\
| |
|
\
| || |
| |
\ \
| | | |
| |
| |
\ \
+ + =
+ =
=

+ + =

=

1 7
1 1
31 3 31
2 2
y
| | | |
| |
| |
\ \
= + + = +

z
w
24

Solving equation involving complex number

1. Simple equations
2. Polynomial equation given some roots
3. n
th
root

Simple equations

Usually for simple equations just let i , , z a b a b = + and solve for , a b by comparing
real and imaginary component.

Example:
* *
2 2 5 4i z z z z
| |
|
|
\
+ = . Ans: 2 i or 2 i z = + +

Let i , , z a b a b = +

25

* *
2 2
2 2
2 2 5 4i
i i 2 i 2 i 5 4i
a 2 i2 2 i2 5 4i
a i4 5 4i
z z z z
a b a b a b a b
b a b a b
b b
| |
|
|
\
| || | | | | |
| | | |
\ \ \ \
+ =
+ + + =
+ + =
+ =



Comparing real and imaginary parts

2 2
5
4 4
a b
b
+ =
=


Solving, 2, 1 or 2, 1 a b a b = = = =
Therefore 2 i or 2 i z = + +

26

Polynomial equation given some roots
Given a polynomial of power n,
( )
1
1 1 0
P
n n
n
n
z a z a z a z a

= + + + + . If
1 1 0
, , , ,
n
n
a a a a

. Complex roots are in conjugate pair.

Steps to solve this type of question
1. Given i a b + is a root. i a b is also a root.
2. Expand
( ) ( )
i i z a b z a b
( (
( (

+ . Note: will have all real coefficients.
3. Do long division or comparing coefficients to find the other factors.
4. Solve.

27

Worked Example: Verify that 1 3i is a root of the equation
3 2
2 4 0 z z z + + = , hence
solve the equation completely.



Hence 1 3i is a root of the equation.

Since the coefficients of the equation are real, the conjugate of 1 3i , 1 3i + is also a
root.
2
(1 3i) (1 3i) 2 4 z z z z
( (
( (
( (

+ = +

Doing long division,
2 3 2
2 4 2 4 1 z z z z z z
| || |
| |
|
\ \
+ + = + + .
Therefore 1,1 3,1 3 z = +
28

Example: 2008/P1/Q8
A graphic calculator is not to be used in answering this question.
i) It is given that
1
3 i 1 z
| |
|
|
\
= + . Find the value of
3
1
z , showing clearly how you
obtain your answer.
ii) Given that 1 3 i
| |
|
|
\
+ is a root of the equation
3 2
2 4 0 z az bz + + + =
find the values of real number a and b.
iii) For these values of a and b, solve the equation in part (ii), and show all the
roots on an Argand diagram.
i)
3
3
1
2 3
1
1 3 i 3 i i
1 i3
3 i
3 3 3
3 9 i3 3
8
z
| | | | | |
| | |
| | |
\
(
| |
(
|
| (
\
\ \

= +
= + +
= +
=

Using GC to check


29

Since 1 3 i
| |
|
|
\
+ is a root of the equation and all the coefficients of the equations are real.
1 3 i
| |
|
|
\
is also a root of the equation.

A quadratic factor.
2
2
1 i 1 i 1 i 1 i 1 3
2
3 3 3
4
3 z z z z z
z z
( (
| | | | | | | |
| |
( (
| | | |
|
| | | | ( (
\
\ \ \ \

+ = + + +
= +


The third root must be real. Let the linear factor be 2z c
| |
|
\
+ where c. The
coefficient is 2 since the coefficient of the cubic term is 2.

3 2 2
3 2
2 4 2 4 2
2 4 8 2 4
z az bz z z z c
z c z c c
| || |
| |
|
\ \
| | | |
| |
\ \
+ + + = + +
= + + +

Comparing coefficient
0
z , 4 4 1 c c = =

30

Comparing coefficient
1
z , 8 2 6 c b b = =

Comparing coefficient
2
z , 4 3 c a a = =

Hence the equation is
3 2
2 3 6 4 0 z z z + + = .

The roots are 1 1
1
3 i, 3 i,
2
| | | |
| |
| |
\ \
+ .


Re
Im
1
2

1
3
3
31

n
th
roots

Solving equation of the form i
n
z a b = +

Step 1: Express i a b + in the form
i
re

. Then
i
z re

=
Step 2: Add 2k to . Then ,
i 2k
z re k
+
=
Step 3: Apply De Moivres Theorem
i 2 1
n n
k
z r e
+
=
Step 4: Assign consecutive k values such that the arguments are in range.
: , 2, 1,0,1,2, Eg k =
Example: Solve the equation
5
1 3 i z = + .
2
i
3
2
i 2
3
2
i
5
5
5
10
1
15
5
1 i
2
2 ,
3
1, 2 , 2 , 0
k
k
z
z
e
z e k
k z e

| |
|
|
|
|
\
| |
|
|
|
|
\
+
+
= +
=
=

=
=

The roots are
2 4 2 8 14 1 1 1 1 1
i i i i i
5 3 5 15 5 15 5 15 5 15
2 ,2 ,2 ,2 ,2 e e e e e


.