THE CONCEPT OF COMPLEX NUMBER

Given that x 2+ 1=0, by the solution of quadratic equation x=± √ −1

This shows that there is no real number x that satisfies the polynomial equation:
2
x + 1=0
To find solutions of this and similar equations, a set of complex numbers is introduced.
A number of the form x +iy called a complex number. Where x and y are real numbers and i which is
the imaginary unit has the property that i 2=−1
If z=x +iy , then x is called the real part of z and y is called the imaginary part of z and they are denoted
by Re(z) and Im(z) respectively. The symbol z is called complex variable and can stand for any complex
number.
The symbol, i

The solution of quadratic equation a x 2 +bx +c=0 can of course be obtained by the formula
−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x=
2a

For example, if we solve the equation 5 x 2−8 x+ 5=0 , we get:

8 ± √64−100 8 ± √−36
x= =
10 10
Now, determine the square root of –36. Is it 6, - 6 or neither. The result is of course neither since +6 and
-6 are the square roots of 36 and not of -36. In fact, 36 cannot be represented by an ordinary number for
there is no real number whose square is a negative quantity.
However, −36=−1× 36 and therefore we write:

√−36 = √ 36 ×(−1)= √ 36 × √−1 = 6 √−1

Though, we are still faced with √ −1, which cannot be evaluated as a real number for the same reason as
before, but, if we use letter i to stand for √ −1 then, √ −36=6 i

Similarly,

√−16=√16 × √−1=4 i
√−9=√ 9× √−1=3 i
√−8=√ 8× √−1=2 i √ 2
So, we can now have a way of finishing off the quadratic equation
2
5 x −8 x+ 5=0 as follows;

8 ± √64−100 8 ± √−36
x= = =0.8 ± 0.6 i
10 10

Powers of 𝑖

since 𝑖 stand for √ −1, let us consider sauce powers of 𝑖

i=√ −1

i =√ −1× √ −1=−1
2

3 2
i =i × i=−i
4 2 2
i =i ×i =1

Exercise

Evaluate the following

1) 2−i

2) −2−2i

3) 1−i √ 3

4) 9 i

On solving x 2−6 x +34=0 , we get;

6 ± √ 36−136 6 ± √−100
x= = =3± 5 i
2 2
The result x=3+5 i that we obtained consists of two parts (separate terms,) 3 and 5i, these terms can not
be combined any further, since the second is not a real number (because of the factor i ). In such a
situation, 3 is called the real part of x and 5 is called the imaginary part of x and the two together form
what is called a complex number.
Definition: An expression of the form Z=x+ iy is called a complex number when x is the real part of z
and y is the imaginary part of z while i is the imaginary unit.

As in the algebra of real numbers, wherever we come across i 2 simply replace it by −1 .

Giver that z 1=x 1+ i y 1 and z 2=x 2+ i y 2

z 1+ z2 =( x 1+i y 1 ) +(x 2 +i y 2 )

¿ x 1+ x2 +i y 1+i y 2

¿ x 1+ x2 +i( y 1 + y 2)

z 1−z 2=( x 1 +i y 1 )−(x 2 +i y 2 )

¿ x 1+ i y 1−x 2−i y 2

¿ x 1−x 2+ i( y 1− y 2)

z 1 × z2 =( x 1+i y 1 ) ×(x 2 +i y 2 )
2
¿ x 1 x 2 +i x 1 y 2 +i x2 y 1 +i y 1 y 2

¿ x 1 x 2 +i x 1 y 2 +i x2 y 1− y 1 y 2
z 1 ÷ z 2=( x 1 +i y 1 ) ÷(x 2 +i y 2 )

Z 1 ( x1 +i y 1 )
1.e =
Z 2 ( x2 +i y 2 )

( x 1+i y 1 ) ( x1 +i y 1) ( x 2−i y 2 )
¿ =
( x 2+i y 2 ) ( x 2 +i y 2) ( x 2−i y 2 )

( x 1+i y 1 ) ( x 1 x 2+ i x 2 y 1−i x 1 y 2−i y 1 y 2 )

2

¿ =
( x 2+i y 2 ) ( x 2 x 2+ i x 2 y 2−i x 2 y 2−i 2 y 2 y 2 )

( x 1+i y 1 ) ( x 1 x 2+i x 2 y 1−i x1 y 2+ y 1 y 2 )

¿ =
( x 2+i y 2 ) ( x 2 x 2 + y 2 y 2)
( x 1+i y 1 ) ( x 1 x 2+i x 2 y 1−i x1 y 2+ y 1 y 2 )
¿ =
( x 2+i y 2 ) ( x 22+ y 22 )
This shows that all four basic operations can be performed on complex number.

Numerical Examples

Addition & subtraction of complex numbers

Add 4 +5 i and 3−2i

i.e 4+5i + 3- 2i = 4+3+5i – 2i

= 7 + 3i

Subtract 2- 5i form 4+7i

4 +7 i−( 2−5i )=4+ 7 i−2+5 i

¿ 4−2+7 i+5 i
¿ 2+12 i
Multiplication of two or more complex numbers

Multiply(4−5 i) by (3+2 i)

These are multiplied together in just the same way as you would determine the
product ( 4 x−5 y ) (3 x−2 y).

i.e. (4−5 i)×(3+2 i)

2
¿ 12−15 i+8 i−10 i
¿ 12−7 i+10 (since i 2=−1)

¿ 22−7 i
If the expression contains more than two factors, we multiply the factors together in
stages

Example

Multiply 3+ 4 i¿ ( 2−5i ) ( 1−2 i )

¿ ( 6+ 8 i−15i−20i 2 ) (1−2i)

¿ ( 6−7 i+ 20 ) (1−2 i)

¿ ( 26−7 i ) (1−2 i)

¿ ( 26−7 i−52 i+14 i2 )

¿ 26−59 i−14
¿ 12−59 i

Note that when we are dealing with complex number, the result of our calculations
is also in general, a complex number.

Now, we do this one

Multiply (5+8 i) by (5−8 i)

Solution:

( 5+8 i ) ( 5−8 i )=25+ 40 i−40 i−64 i2

¿ 25+64 ¿ 89

What did you notice?

We noticed that in spite of what we said above, here we have a result containing no
i , term. The result is therefore entirely real.

This is rather an exceptional case looking at the two complex numbers, we have just
multiplied together, can you find anything special about them?

Yes, they are identical except for the middle sign in the brackets.

A pair of complex number like these are called conjugate complex number and the
product of two conjugate complex numbers is always entirely real.

This condition behaves the same way as ‘difference of two squares’ in factorization
of quadratic expression. That is ( a+ b ) ( a−b )=a2−b 2.

Now, let us deal with division

division of a complex number by real number is easy enough

Divide 5−9 i by a real number

6−9i 6 9 i
Solution: = − =2−3 i
3 3 3
Divide 5−4 i by a real number 2
5−4 i 5 4i
Solution: = − =2.5−2 i
2 2 2
Divide 5−4 i by a real number 3
5−4 i 5 4i
Solution: = − =1.67−1.33 i
3 3 3
7+ 4 i
But how do we manage with ? Looking at the previous example, we could
4−3 i
think of how can convert the denominator into a completely real number.

We know that we can convert (4−3i) into completely real number but with the
opposite sign in the middle, i.e. (4+3 i)

In this case, if we multiple the denominator by (4+3 i) , we must also multiply the
numerator by the same factor. This shows that we multiply the whole fraction by a
unity (i.e. we do not change anything in the original fraction)

7+ 4 i ( 7+ 4 i ) (4+3 i)
Now, =
4−3 i ( 4−3i ) ( 4+3 i)

28+37 i−12 16 +37 i 16+37 i

¿ = =
16 +9 25 25
16 37 i
= + =0.64+ 1.48i
25 25
Hence to divide one complex number by another, we therefore, multiply both
numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator.

Equality of complex numbers

Two complex numbers are soild to be equal if

a) The two real parts are equal

b) The two imaginary parts are equal
For example, if x + y=5+ 4 i , then we know that x=5 and y=4 and if a+ bi=6−3 i, then
a=6 and b=3

Exercises

If ( x + y ) + ( x− y )=7 +2i , find the value of x and y

Solution: x + y=7 … … … … … … …(1)

x− y =2 … … … … … … …(2)

Adding the two equations:

2 x=9 ⇒ x=4.5
Subtracting (2) from (1) gives:
 2 y=5 ⇒ y=2.5
This gives two simultaneous equation from which we determined the value of x and
y.

POLAR FORM OF A COMPLEX NUMBER

On an Argand diagram, let OP be a vector x+iy. Let r =length of the vector and Ө
the angle made with OX.

i r y

𝜃
x

Then, r 2=x 2 + y 2 ⇒ r= √ x 2 + y 2

y −1 y
And tanθ= ⇒ θ=tan
x x
Also, x=rcosθ and y=rsinθ

Since z=x +iy , this can be written as;

z=r (cosθ+isinθ )

That is,
z=r ( cosθ+isinθ ) which is called the polar form of the complex number z=x +iy .
y
Where r =√ x 2 + y 2
−1
and θ=tan
x
Example 1

Express z = 4 +3i in polar form

Solution:
First draw a sketch diagram:

r 𝜃 3

r = r =√ 42 +32 = √ 25 = 5

tan𝜃= ¾ = 0.75

𝜃 = tan-1 (0.75)

= 36.870
Hence in this case:

Z = 4+3ⅈ = r (cos𝜃 +isin𝜃)

= 5(cos 36.90+ isin36.90) in polar form

Example 2

Express z = 1 + ⅈ in polar form

First draw a sketch diagram:

r 𝜃 1
1

r =√ 12 +12 = √ 2 = √ 2

tan𝜃 = 1/1 = 1 => 𝜃 = tan-1 (1) = 450

Hence, in this case;

Z = 1+ 𝑖 = √ 2(cos 450+isin 450)

Example 3

Express -1+ 𝑖 in polar form

First draw a sketch diagram:

1 r 𝜃
 α
-1 0

r =√12 +12= √2
1 °
tanα= =1⇒ α =45
1

but, 𝜃 = 1800–α =1800-450

𝜃 =1350

Hence, in this case;

Z=−1+i=√ 2(cos 135 +isin 135 )

° °

Example 4

Express Z=−1− √ 3 i in polar form

−√ 3 𝜃

−1 α

Solution:

Z=−1− √3 i => x=−1 , y=− √3

√ 2
r = (−1)2+(−√ 3) =√ 4=2

√3
tan α = tanα= =√ 3⇒ α =tan ( √ 3 ) =60
−1 °
1

but, 𝜃 = 1800+ 600

𝜃 = 2400

Hence, in this case

Z=−1− √ 3 i=2(cos 240° +isin 240 °)

Example 5

Express √ 3−i in polar form

√3
𝜃 α −1
√ 3−i ⇒ x=√ 3 , y=−1
√ 2
r = ( √ 3) +(−1)2=√ 4=2

1 −1 1
tanα= ⇒ α=tan ( )
√3 √3
α = 300

but, 𝜃 = 360o –α

𝜃 =360-300 =3300

Hence, in this case, the polar form of z=√ 3−i is;

Z=√ 3−i=2(cos 330 °+ isin 330° )

MODULUS AND ARGUMENT OF A COMPLEX NUMBER

We have special names for the values of r and θ

For, z=x +iy=r ( cosθ+isinθ )=rcisθ

(a) r is called the modules of the complex number z and is often abbreviated to
modz or indicated by |z|
Thus, if z=2+5 i, then

|z|=r=√ 22 +52=√ 4 +25=√29

(b) 𝜃 is called the argument of the complex number, z and can be abbreviated to
‘arg z’ .
so, if z=√ 3+i then, arg z = ?
1 −1 1
That is, tanθ= ⇒ θ=tan ( )
√3 √3
°
∴ θ=30

Note: In finding 𝜃, there are of course two angles between 0 0and 3600, the
y
tangent of which has the value . We must be careful to use the angle in the
x
correct quadrant. Always draw a sketch of the vector to ensure you have the
right one

PROPERTIES OF MODULUS AND CONJUGATE OF A COMPLEX NUMBER

z+z z−z
1. Re ( z ) =x= , I m ( z ) = y=
2 2i
x+iy + x−iy 2 x x∧x +iy−(x−iy) 2iy
That is, = = = =y
2 2 2 2i
2. ( z 1+ z2 ) = z 1+ z2
 z1 z 1
3. = , if z 2 ≠ 0
z2 z 2
4. ź=z
5. z∗z=| z|2

6. |R e ( z )|≤|z|,|I m ( z )|≤|z|

7. ||z 1 |z 1|
=
z 2 |z 2|

8. |z 1 + z 2|≤|z 1|+|z 2|
9. |z 1−z 2|≥||z 1|−|z 2||
10. z 1∗z 2=z 1∗z 2 11. |z 1∗z 2|=|z 1|∗|z 2|

DeMoivre’s Theorem

If θ is real, then (cisθ)n=cisnθ ∀ n ∈ N . This theorem states that for all n, positive or negative,
integer or fraction, the values or one of the values of
n
(cosθ +isinθ) =cosnθ+isinnθ

It is used to calculate the value of a complex number raised to some power.

Given that z 1 z 2 z 3=r 1 r 2 r 3 {cos ( θ1+ θ2 +θ3 ) +isin ( θ1 +θ 2+θ 3 ) }

Now suppose that z 1 , z 2 , z 3 are all alike and that each is equal to:

z=r (cosθ+isinθ )

Then the result becomes:

z 1 z 2 z 3= z∗z∗z=r∗r∗r { cos ( θ+θ +θ ) +isin ( θ+θ+θ ) }

¿ z =r { cos ( 3 θ )+isin ( 3 θ ) }
3 3

3 3
∴ z =r (cos 3θ+ isin 3θ)

and multiply the arguments (𝜃, values) by 3.

That is, if we wish to cube a complex number in polar form, we just cube the modulus ( r, values)

Similarly, to square a complex number in polar form, we square the modulus (r, values) and
multiply the arguments (𝜃, values) by 2.
 i.e,
2
z ={ r ( cosθ+isinθ ) } =r 2 (cos 2 θ+isin 2 θ)
2

3
z 3={ r (cosθ+isinθ ) } =r 3 (cos 3θ+ isin 3θ)
4
z 4 ={ r (cosθ +isinθ) } =r 4 (cos 4 θ+isin 4 θ)

.. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. .. ..
n
z n= {r (cosθ+ isinθ) } =r n ( cosnθ+isinnθ)

Examples;

1. Find the value of ( 1+i )20

20
Z =¿

}
x 1
cosθ= =
r √2 π
⇒θ=45° =
y 1 4
sinθ= =
r √2

Hence, ( 1+i )20=( rcisθ )20

( )
20
π
¿ √2 cis
4

( )
20
20 π
¿ (√ 2) cis
4
10 10
¿ 2 cis5 π=2 ( cos 5 π +isin 5 π )

¿ 210 (−1+ 0 )
10
¿−2
2. Show that cisθ=e iθ
SOLUTION

LHS:
Cisθ=cosθ +isinθ
2 3
z z z
since e =1+ z + + +…
2! 3 !
By the Taylor series expansions, we have:
 ( ) ( )
2 4 3 5
θ θ θ θ
LHS= 1− + … … … + i θ− + … … …
2! 4! 3! 5!

¿ ( 1− + … … … . )+( iθ− + … … …)
2 4 3 5
θ θ θ θ
2! 4 ! 3! 5!
2 3 4 5
θ iθ θ iθ
¿ i+iθ− − + + ………
2! 3! 4! 5!

( iθ )2 ( iθ )3 ( iθ )4 ( iθ )5
¿ 1+iθ+ + + + ………
2! 3! 4 ! 5!

¿ e = RHS (Q.E.D)
iθ

3. Given that z=3 i, find the modulus and argument of z.

If z=3 i ,then , x =0∧ y =3 ,⇒ r= √ 32=3

}
x 0
cosθ= = =0
r 3 ° π
⇒ θ=90 =
y 3 2
sinθ= = =1
r 3
° π
Hence, argz=90 = .
2
4. Given that z=−9i , find the modulus and argument of z.

}
x 0
cosθ= = =0
r 9 ° 3π 3π
⇒ θ=270 = hence, argz=270 °=
y −9 2 2
sinθ= = =−1
r 9

5. Given that z=√ 3+i , find the modulus and argument of z.

√ 2
z=√ 3+i , x= √3 , y=1 ⇒r = ( √ 3) +1 2=√ 4=2

}
x √3
cosθ= =
r 2 ⇒ θ=30°= π
y 1 6
sinθ= =
r 2

° π
Hence, argz=30 =
6
ROOTS OF A COMPLEX NUMBER
1
To find the root of any complex number, we replace n, by in the above relation. That is to find
n
the square root of z=4(cos 120 °+isin 120 ° ) we have:
1 1

√ z=z ={ r (cosθ+isinθ) }
2 2

1
1 1
¿(4) 2 {cos ⁡(120 × )+isin(120 × )
2 2

¿ √ 4 (cos 60 ° +isin 60 °)

¿ 2(cos 60°+isin 60 °)

1 √3
¿ 2( +i )
2 2
¿ 1+i √3