Scribd
Upload
51 views

The Algebra of Complex Numbers

Complex numbers contain real and imaginary parts and can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided. The modulus of a complex number is defined as the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts, while the argument is the tangent inverse of the imaginary part over the real part.

Uploaded by

Adnan Najem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
51 views

The Algebra of Complex Numbers

Complex numbers contain real and imaginary parts and can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided. The modulus of a complex number is defined as the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts, while the argument is the tangent inverse of the imaginary part over the real part.

Uploaded by

Adnan Najem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

The Algebra of Complex Numbers

Complex numbers are algebraic expressions containing the factor i ≡ − 1 . A complex


number z consists of a “real” part, Re z ≡ x, and an “imaginary” part, Im z ≡ y, that is,

z = Re z + i Im z = x + iy .

If Im z = 0, then z = x is a “real number”. If Re z = 0, then z = iy is said to be “purely


imaginary.” The real and imaginary parts, x and y, are themselves real numbers.

Addition and subtraction: z1 ± z2 = (x1 ± x2 ) + i (y1 ± y 2 )

Multiplication: z1 × z2 = (x1 + iy 1 ) × (x 2 + iy 2 ) = (x1x 2 − y 1y 2 ) + i (x1y 2 + x 2 y 1 )

Remember! i 2 = −1.

z1 x + iy 1 (x1x 2 + y 1y 2 ) + i (x 2 y 1 − x1y 2 )
Division: = 1 =
z2 x 2 + iy 2 x 22 + y 22

Modulus and Argument:

The modulus of a complex number is defined by z = x 2 + y 2 . (Sometimes called the


“absolute value.”)

⎛y⎞
The argument is arg z = tan −1⎜ ⎟ .
⎝x⎠

Complex Conjugate:

The complex conjugate is defined by z ∗ = x − iy . The following rules apply:

zz∗ = z
2

(z1 + z2 )∗ = z1∗ + z2∗


(z1z2 )∗ = z1∗ z2∗
∗
⎛ z1 ⎞ z∗
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 1∗
⎝ z2 ⎠ z2

PH461/PH561, Fall 2008 page 1 ©William W. Warren, Jr., 2008


Some useful relations involving complex conjugates:

(z )∗ ∗
=z
z + z ∗ = 2 Re z = 2 x
z − z ∗ = 2i Im z = 2iy .

z ⎛ x 2 − y 2 ⎞ ⎛ 2 xy ⎞
=⎜ ⎟+i ⎜ ⎟
z ∗ ⎜⎝ x 2 + y 2 ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ x 2 + y 2 ⎟⎠

Polar representation of complex numbers:

⎛y⎞
z = re i θ with r and θ real. r = z = x 2 + y 2 and θ = arg z = tan −1⎜ ⎟ .
⎝x⎠

Euler relations: e ± i θ = cos θ ± i sin θ .

e 2nπi = 1 e iπ / 2 = i e iπ = −1 e i 3 π / 2 = −i

e i θ + e − i θ = 2 cos θ e i θ − e − i θ = 2i sin θ

Argand Diagram:

A complex number z = x + iy is represented as a point in the plane Im z – Re z or,


equivalently, as a vector with components x and y. The length of the vector is the
modulus r = |z|, and the direction is determined by the angle θ = arg z.

PH461/PH561, Fall 2008 page 2 ©William W. Warren, Jr., 2008

You might also like