Introduction
10.3
In this block we introduce a third way of expressing a complex number: the exponential form. We shall discover, through the use of the complex number notation, the intimate connection between the exponential function and the trigonometric functions. We shall also see, using the exponential form that certain calculations, particularly multiplication and division of complex numbers, are even easier than when expressed in polar form. The exponential form of a complex number is in widespread use in engineering and science.
Prerequisites
Before starting this Block you should . . .
y understand how to use the Cartesian and polar forms of a complex number z be familiar with the hyperbolic functions cosh x and sinh x
Learning Outcomes
understand the relations between the exponential function ex and the trigonometric functions cos x, sin x interchange between Cartesian, polar and exponential forms of a complex number understand the relation between hyperbolic and trigonometric functions
Learning Style
After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . . to . . . allocate sucient study time
briey revise the prerequisite material attempt every guided exercise and most of the other exercises
in which n! = n(n 1)(n 2) . . . (3)(2)(1) is the factorial of the integer n. Although there are an innite number of terms on the right-hand side, in any practical calculation we would only use a nite number. For example if we choose x = 1 (and taking only six terms) then e1 1 + 1 + 1 1 1 1 + + + 2! 3! 4! 5! = 2 + 0.5 + 0.16666 + 0.04166 + 0.00833 = 2.71666
which is close to the accurate value of e = 2.71828 (to 5d.p.) x2 x3 We ask the reader to accept that ex , for any value of x, is the same as 1 + x + + + ... 2! 3! x and that if we wish to calculate e for a particular value of x we will only take a nite number of terms in the series. Obviously the more terms we take in any particular calculation the more accurate will be our calculation. As we shall also see in Block 16, similar series expressions exist for the trigonometric functions sin x and cos x: x 3 x5 x7 sin x = x + + ... 3! 5! 7! x2 x 4 x 6 cos x = 1 + + ... 2! 4! 6! in which x is measured in radians. The observant reader will see that these two series for sin x and cos x are similar to the series x for e . Through the use of the symbol i (= 1) we will examine this close correspondence. In the series for ex replace x on both left-hand and right-hand sides by i to give: ei = 1 + (i) + (i)2 (i)3 (i)4 (i)5 + + + + ... 2! 3! 4! 5!
Then, as usual, replace every occurrence of i2 by (1) to give 2 3 4 5 i + + i + ... 2! 3! 4! 5! which, when re-organised into real and imaginary terms gives, nally: ei = 1 + i e i = 2 4 3 5 + ... + i + ... 2! 4! 3! 5! = cos + i sin 1 2
Example Find complex number expressions, in Cartesian form, for (i) ei/4 (ii) ei
(iii) ei Solution (i) according to our Key Point ei/4 = cos + i sin = 4 4 (ii) ei = cos(1) + i sin(1) = 0.540 i(0.841) (iii) ei = cos + i sin = 1 + i(0) = 1 Now do this exercise Use four terms in the series representation for cos x to obtain an approximation to cos 45 . Answer
1 2
1 + i 2
Example If z = rei and w = tei then nd expressions for (i) z 1 (ii) z (iii) zw
Solution 1 1 = ei using the normal rules for indices. i re r (ii) Working in polar form: if z = rei = r(cos + i sin ) then (i) If z = rei then z 1 = z = r(cos i sin ) = r(cos() + i sin()) = rei since cos() = cos and sin() = sin . In fact this reects the general rule: to nd the complex conjugate of any expression simply replace i by i wherever it occurs in the expression. (iii) zw = (rei )(tei ) = rtei ei = rtei+i = rtei(+) which is again the result we are familiar with: when complex numbers are multiplied their moduli multiply and their arguments add. We see that in some circumstances the exponential form is even more convenient than the polar form since we need not worry about cumbersome trigonometric relations. 3
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 10.3: Complex Numbers
Try each part of this exercise Part (a) Express the following complex number in exponential form: z = 1 i. Answer Part (b) Express the following complex number in exponential form: z = 2 + 3i. Answer Part (c) Express the following complex number in exponential form: z = 6. Answer
Now do this exercise If cos2 z + sin2 z = 1 for all z then, utilising complex numbers, obtain the equivalent identity for hyperbolic functions. Answer Further analysis similar to this leads to Osbornes rule: Key Point Osbornes rule: Hyperbolic function identities are obtained from trigonometric identities by replacing sin by sinh and cos by cosh except that every occurrence of sin2 is replaced by sinh2 .
Example Use Osbornes rule to obtain the hyperbolic equivalent of 1 + tan2 = sec2 .
Solution 1 sin2 = . Hence if Here 1 + tan = sec is equivalent to 1 + 2 cos cos2
2 2
and
cos2 cosh2
or, equivalently,
1 tanh2 = sech2
More exercises for you to try 1. Use four terms of the series expansions for ex and sin x to obtain approximate values for e1.2 and sin 57 . Compare with the accurate values. 2. If sin 2z = 2 sin z cos z obtain the corresponding expansion in terms of hyperbolic functions. 3. Express the following complex numbers in Cartesian form (i) 3ei/3 (ii) e2i (iii) ei/2 ei/4 . 4. Express the following complex numbers in exponential form (i) z = 2 i (ii) z = 4 3i (iii) z 1 where z = 2 3i. Answer
You should obtain cos 45 0.707103 since cos 45 = cos(/4) (using radians) and so: (/4)2 (/4)4 (/4)6 cos 1 + 4 2! 4! 6! 0.61685 0.38050 0.23471 + = 1 2 24 720 = 0.707103 (the accurate value is 0.707107)
z=
2ei/4 )
z=
13ei(0.9827) .
10
11
You should obtain cosh2 z sinh2 z = 1 since, if we replace z by iz in the given identity then cos2 (iz ) + sin2 (iz ) = 1. But as noted above cos(iz ) = cosh z and sin(iz ) = i sinh z so the result follows. Back to the theory
12
2. sinh 2z = 2 sinh z cosh z 3. (i) 1.5 + i(2.598) (ii) 1 (iii) 0.707 + i(0.707) 4 (i) 5ei(5.819) (ii) 5ei(5.6397) (iii) 2 3i = 13ei(5.300) therefore 1 1 = ei(5.300) 2 3i 13
13