COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

UNIT 5: COMPLEX NUMBERS

INTRODUCTION

Complex number is a combination of real numbers and imaginary numbers. It’s occurred to
solve a square root of negative numbers. Thus, we imagine that √−1 does exist. Hence,
−1 = 𝑖 2
Complex numbers often seem strange when first encountered but it is worth preserving
with them because they provide a powerful mathematical tool for solving several technical
problems. One of the main applications is to the analysis of alternating current (a.c) circuits.
Engineers are very interested in these because the main supply itself a.c, and electricity
generation and transportation are dominated by a.c voltages and currents.

A great deal of signal analysis and processing uses mathematical models based on
complex numbers because they allow the manipulation of sinusoidal quantities to be
undertaken more easily. Furthermore, the design of filters to be used in communications
equipment relies heavily on their use.

One area of particular relevance is control engineering. So much so that control

engineers often prefer to think of a control system in terms of a ‘complex plane’ representation
rather than a ‘time domain’ representation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing the unit, students should be able to:
1. Write the square root of negative numbers in terms of i.
2. Simplify powers of i.
3. State complex number in rectangular form.
4. Plot complex number in Argand Diagram.
5. Perform operations of complex numbers.
6. Perform division of complex numbers using the conjugate.
7. Calculate the modulus and argument of a complex number.
8. Write a complex number in polar form and trigonometric form.
9. Convert complex number in rectangular form to polar form and vice versa.

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

5.1 IMAGINARY NUMBERS

An imaginary number is a number that can be written as a real number multiplied by

the imaginary unit i, which is defined by its property 𝑖 2 = −1. We define the imaginary
numbers as the square root of -1, and represent it as 𝒊. For example, 5i is an imaginary
number, and its square is -25.

Imaginary Number : 𝑖 = √−1 which 𝑖 2 = −1

Imaginary numbers also look like √−3 or √−5 . We can use the rules for simplifying
square roots to rewrite these kinds of imaginary numbers for example:

√−3 = 3  (−1) = 3  − 1 = 3i
or

√−5 = 5  (−1) = 5  − 1 = 5i
These can generate formula for simplifying square roots as imaginary numbers:

General Formula : − a = a  (−1) = a  − 1 = ai

Example 5.1 : To write square root as imaginary numbers

Write as imaginary numbers for the following square roots:
a) √−4
b) √−9
c) −√−16
d) (−√−25)

Solution:
a) √−4 = √4(−1)
= √4 × √−1
= 2𝑖

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

b) √−9 = √9(−1)

= √9 × √−1
= 3𝑖
c) −√−16= −√16(−1)
= −√16 × √−1
= −4𝑖

d) −(√−25) = −√25(−1)

= −√25 × √−1
= −5𝑖
Powers of i

i = −1
i 2
= i xi −1 x −1
= = -1
i3 = i 2 x i = -1 x − 1 = - −1
i 4
= i 3 x i = - −1 x −1 = 1

In fact, for every factor of i4, can be replaced by the value of 1.

i4 = 1

How to simplify i to any given power:

Since i4 is the number 1 we can apply the following formula to reduce i to any
power

ik = ir
where r = the remainder of k ÷ 4

For examples to simplify:

o i9
9 ÷ 4 has a remainder of 1
i9 = i1
o i22
22 ÷ 4 has a remainder of 2
i22 = i2
o i103
103 ÷ 4 has a remainder of 3
i103 = i3 = -i

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

Example 5.2 : To simplify imaginary numbers

Simplify each of the following:
a) i22
b) i97

Solution:
a) 22 ÷ 4 has a remainder of 2.
 i 22 = i 2

b) 97 ÷ 4 has a remainder of 1.
 i 97 = i 1

Example 5.3 : To find the value of power of i

Find the value of :

a) 𝑖4

𝑏) 𝑖 3

𝑐) 𝑖 6

Solution :

𝑎) 𝑖 4 = 𝑖 2 ∙ 𝑖 2 = (−1)(−1) = 1

𝑏) 𝑖 3 = 𝑖 2 ∙ 𝑖 = (−1)( − 1 ) = − − 1

𝑐) 𝑖 6 =𝑖 2 ∙ 𝑖 2 ∙ 𝑖 2 = (−1)(−1)(−1) = −1

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

UNIT EXERCISE 5.1

1. Write as imaginary numbers for the following square root:

a) √−81
b) √−49
c) −√−36
d) −√−64
e) √−9
f) −√−100
g) −√−144
h) −√400
i) √−10
j) √−14
k) −√−6

2. Simplify the following:

a) 𝑖 30
b) 𝑖 32
c) 𝑖 77
d) 𝑖 50
e) 𝑖 308
f) 𝑖 246
3. Find the value of the following:

a) 𝑖9
b) 𝑖 12
c) 𝑖7
d) 𝑖 15
e) 𝑖 34
f) 𝑖 20

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

5.2 COMPLEX NUMBERS IN RECTANGULAR FORM AND ARGAND

DIAGRAM

5.2.1 COMPLEX NUMBERS IN RECTANGULAR FORM

Complex numbers in rectangular form is any number, real or imaginary that

can be written in the form

z = a+bi
Notation of
complex number
real part imaginary part

Where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary number. This form, a + bi, is
called the standard form of a complex number.

Example 5.4 : Identify real part and imaginary part in rectangular form.
Determine real part and imaginary part for the following complex numbers
a) z = 6 + 3i
b) z = –1 + i
c) z = 2 – 2i
d) z = – 1.2 – 1.4i

Solution:

Complex Numbers Real Part Imaginary Part

a) z = 6 + 3i 6 3i

b) z = – 1 + i –1 i

c) z = 2 – 2i 2 – 2i

d) z = – 1.2 – 1.4i – 1.2 – 1.4i

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

Example 5.5 : To write a complex number in rectangular form (z = a + bi).

Write in rectangular form the following numbers
a) 4 + √−4
b) 3 − √−81
c) √−25 + 2
d) √−16 − 3

Solution:
a) 4 + √−4
= 4 + √4 × (−1)

= 4 + √4 x √−1
= 4 + 2𝑖

b) 3 − √−81
= 3 − √81 × (−1)

= 3 – √81 x √−1
= 3 − 9𝑖

c) √−25 + 2
= √25 × (−1) + 2

= √25 x √−1 +2
= 5𝑖 + 2

d) √−16 − 3
= √16 × (−1) − 3

= √16 x √−1 - 3
= 4𝑖 − 3

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

UNIT EXERCISE 5.2

1. Complete the table below:

Complex Numbers Real Part Imaginary Part

a) 2 + 3𝑖

b) 7 − 𝑖

c) −5 + 3𝑖

d) 4 – 7i

e) 1 i

f) –8 – 9i

2. Write in rectangular form the following numbers

a) 2 + √−4
b) −4 + √−16
c) 3 + √−25
d) 1 + √−49
e) 1 − √−9
f) 5 − √−81

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

5.2.2 ARGAND DIAGRAM

Given a complex number 𝑍 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, we can obtain a useful graphical interpretation

of it by plotting the real part on the horizontal axis and the imaginary part on the vertical
axis. We call the x axis as the real axis and y axis as an imaginary axis.

𝑏 𝑖 (imaginary axis)

a (-ve), b(+ve) a (+ve), b(+ve)

a (real
axis)
a (-ve), b(-ve) a (+ve), b(-ve)

Example 5.6 : To plot complex numbers in the Argand Diagram

Plot the complex number below using the Argand Diagram:
a) 𝑍1 = 2 + 4𝑖
b) 𝑍2 = −1 + 𝑖
c) 𝑍3 = 4 − 3𝑖
d) 𝑍4 = −3 − 3𝑖

Solution:
bi

𝑍1 (2,4)

𝑍3 (−1,1)
a

𝑍3 (−3, −3)
𝑍4 (4, −3)
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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

UNIT EXERCISE 5.2

1. Plot the complex number below using the Argand Diagram:

a) 𝑍1 = −5 − 3𝑖

b) 𝑍2 = 4 − 𝑖

c) 𝑍3 = 6 + 𝑖

d) 𝑍4 = 3 − 7𝑖

e) 𝑍5 = 2 − 5𝑖

f) 𝑍6 = 2 − 8𝑖

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

5.3 COMPLEX NUMBERS IN POLAR FORM

5.3.1. Modulus And Argument

From figure 1, by using Pythagoras’ theorem we obtain modulus, r. Clearly, r is the
distance of the point (a, b) from the origin. The modulus is always a non-negative
number and is denoted |𝑍|.

y -axis

Z = x +yi

x- axis
x

Figure 1
The angle is conventionally measured from the positive x axis. The angle, 𝜽 is called
the argument of Z.

𝑏
𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒔 , 𝒓 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 𝑨𝒓𝒈𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝜽 = tan−1
𝑎

Principal value : − 180  θ  180

bi
QUADRANT 2: 𝒁 = −𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 QUADRANT 1: 𝒁 = 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊

𝐴𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 1800 − 𝛼 𝐴𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝜃=α

a
𝐴𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 1800 + 𝛼 𝐴𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 3600 − 𝛼

QUADRANT 4: 𝒁 = 𝒂 − 𝒃𝒊
QUADRANT 3: 𝒁 = −𝒂 − 𝒃𝒊

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

Example 5.9 : To determine modulus, r and argument, 

Find the modulus and argument from the given Argand diagram below.
bi bi
a) b)

𝑍𝟏 (2,4) 𝑍2 (−1,1)
a a
bi bi
c) d)
a a

𝑍3 = (−5, −5) 𝑍4 = (1, −5)

Solution:
a) Modulus, 𝑟 = √22 + 42
= 4.47
4
𝜃 = tan−1 2 𝑍1 is in Quadrant 1

 Argument = 𝜃 = 63.43𝑜
= 63.43𝑜

b) Modulus,𝑟 = √(−1)2 + 12
= 1.41
1
𝛼 = tan −1
−1
= 450
𝑍2 is in Quadrant 2
 Argument = 𝜃 = 1800 − 450
= 1350

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

c) Modulus,𝑟 = √(−5)2 + (−5)2

= 7.07
−5
𝛼 = tan −1
−5

𝑍3 is in Quadrant 3
 Argument = 𝜃 = 1800 + 450
= 2250

d) Modulus,𝑟 = √12 + (−5)2

= 5.10
−5
𝛼 = tan −1
1
= 78.690

𝑍4 is in Quadrant 4
 Argument = 𝜃 = 3600 − 78.690
= 281.310

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

UNIT EXERCISE 5.3

1. Find the modulus and argument from the given Argand diagram below.
bi
a)
𝑍1 (3,3)

b) bi

𝑍2 (−4,2)
a

c) bi

𝑍3 = (7, −8)

2. Find the modulus and the argument of the given complex numbers.

a) z = 8+2i
b) z = 5 – 3i
c) z = -2+3i
d) z = -6-6i
e) z = 2+2i
f) z= 5+12i

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

5.3.2 COMPLEX NUMBERS IN POLAR FORM

The polar form of the complex number a + bi is

r (kos + i sin  )

where r = x2 + y 2

y
and  = tan-1
x
Another notation for polar form is r ∠ θ . (This is spoken as “r at angle θ ”.) The length
r is called the magnitude of the complex number, and the angle θ is called the
argument.

POLAR FORM

Or

a + bi = r∠θ

Example 5.10 : Write complex number in polar form

Write the following complex numbers in polar form.
a) 2 + 3i
b) 5 - 2i
c) -3 - 7i

r = (5) 2 + (− 2)
2
b)
Solution:

r = (2) 2 + (3)
2 = 29
a)
= 5.4
= 13
= 3.61
2
 = tan −1  
5
= 21.8  = 360 − 21.8 = 338.2
therefore
5 − 2i = 5.4(cos338.2 + i sin 338.2)
= 5.4338.2

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

3
 = tan −1
2
= 56.3
therefore
2 + 3i = 3.61(cos 56.3 + i sin 56.3)
= 3.6156.3
c)
r = (− 3)2 + (− 7 )2
= 9 + 49
= 7.62

 −7 
 = tan −1  
 −3 
= 66.8
θ = 180 − 66.8
= −113.2
therefore
− 3 − 7i = 7.62(kos − 113.2 + i sin − 113.2)
= 7.62 − 113.2

Example 5.11 : Convert complex number to rectangular form

Write the following complex numbers in rectangular form.

a) 6 ( cos 30 + i sin 30 )

b) 2 ( cos 315 + i sin 315)

Solution :

a)

r = 6, θ = 30
therefore
a = 6 kos 30 = 5.2
b = 6 sin 30 = 3

So in rectangular form is 5.2+3i

b)

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

r = 2, θ = 315 
therefore
a = 2 cos 315  = 1
b = 2 sin 315  = −1

So in rectangular form is 1 - i

UNIT EXERCISE 5.3

1. Write the following complex number in polar form.

a) 3 + 4i
b) 5 + 4i
c) -12 + 5i

d) 1 – 2i
e) –5 – 2i
f) 7 – 3i

g) 6 + 2 i
h) -6 + 5i
i) 4 + 2i
j) 6 – 3i

3. Write the following complex numbers in rectangular form.

(a) 5 ( cos 32 + i sin 32)

(b) 4 ( cos 90 + i sin 90)
(c) 4 ( cos  + i sin  )
(d) 3 (cos 25 + i sin 25)
(e) 8 (cos /4 + i sin /4)

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

5.4 DE MOIVRE’S THEOREM

To find powers and roots of a complex number, we can use the De Moivre’s Theorem.

zn = ( r ( cos  + i sin  ) )n
DE MOIVRE’S THEOREM
= rn ( cos n + i sin n )

COMPLEX
Example 5.16 : Finding the power of complex number using De Moivre’s
Theorem

1. Find the followings:

(a) (3(cos 25o + i sin25o ))4

1
 
(b) (8(cos + i sin ))3
4 4
Solution:

(a) (3(cos 25o + i sin25o ))4 ( ( )

= 34 cos 4 • 25o + i sin 4 • 25o ( ))
= 81(cos 100o + i sin100o )

1
 1    1  
1
 
(8(cos + i sin ))3  cos  •  + i sin  •  
(b) = 8 3
4 4  3 4  3 4 
   
= 2  cos + i sin 
 12 12 

= (
2 cos15o + i sin15o )

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

2. Express Z = 1 + i in polar form. Hence, evaluate Z8 in rectangular form a + bi

Solution:

r = 12 + 12 = 2

1
θ = tan−1 = 450
1
Since θ in 1st quadrant,

 θ = 45o
Z = 2(cos 45o + i sin 45o polar form

( 2 ) (cos (8 • 45 ) + i sin (8 • 45 ))
8
Z8 = o o

(
= 16 cos360o + i sin360o )
= 16 + 0i
= 16 rectangular form

3. Find ( 2 − 3i ) and write the answer in rectangular form.

3

r = 22 + (−3)2 = 3.6
−3
θ = tan−1 = 56.30
2
Since θ in 4th quadrant,

 θ = 360o − 56.3o = 303.7o

( ( ()
(2 − 3i )3 = ( 3.6 ) cos 3 • 303.7o + i sin 3 • 303.7o
3
))
= 46.7 ( cos911.1 + i sin911.1 )
o o

= −45.8 − 8.9i rectangular form

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

UNIT EXERCISE 5.4

1. Perform the indicated operations. Leave your answer in polar form.

a) (1 (cos 140 + i sin 140))5

1
     2
b)  16  cos + i sin   ,
  4 4 

2. Solve the following complex number. Write your answer in rectangular form
a + bi

a) ( )
If Z = 2 cos60o + i sin60o find Z 7

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

 2 2 
b) If Z = 3  cos + i sin  , find Z
6

 3 3 

3. Find the following complex number using De Moivre’s Theorem

a) ( 6 + 5i )5

b) ( 3 − i )7

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COMPLEX NUMBERS DUM 10122

SUMMARY
POLAR FORM
RECTANGULAR FORM:
a + bi = r (kos + i sin  )
𝒁 = 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊
OR
a + bi = r
Real Part Imaginary part

IMAGINARY NUMBER:
𝒊𝟐 = −𝟏

COMPLEX NUMBERS
ARGAND DIAGRAM
𝑏𝑖

a (-ve), b(+ve) a (+ve), b(+ve)

a
a (-ve), b(-ve) a (+ve), b(-ve) MODULUS & ARGUMENT
Modulus,𝑟 = √𝑎 2 + 𝑏 2
𝑏
𝐴𝑟𝑔𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝜃 = tan−1
𝑎

DE MOIVRE’S THEOREM
zn = ( r ( cos  + i sin  ) )n
= rn ( cos n + i sin n )

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