Faculty of Technology,

Engineering and
Environment

B.Eng (Hons) Modular Degree Programme

Mathematical Analysis DI

Complex Numbers

2 + 3j 1

Introduction
Definition
Operations & Equality z = ej
Argand Diagram and
Polar Form

j3 = ? De Moivres theorem
Roots of unity

Module Coordinator: Brian Smith

1. Complex numbers, definition and operations

1.1 Introduction
Complex numbers are an extension to the set of real numbers, they make use of a set of imaginary
numbers.

They give us a more general way of solving polynomial equations and we frequently encounter them
when solving these polynomials, and they are used extensively in electrical engineering

Lets consider the quadratic x 2x + 5 = 0 and try and solve it using the formula
2

b b 2 4ac ( 2) 2 2 4(1)(5) 2 4 20 2 16
x= = = =
2a 2(1) 2 2

We have a problem here in that the square root of a negative number does not exist

so we write 16 as 16 1 and give the 1 term the special symbol j

(mathematicians use i, engineers use j).

2 4j
Our solution now becomes x = = 1 2j
2

We have two solutions 1 + 2j and 1 2j , they are both solutions to the quadratic above.

(Later in the notes we will check this, we substitute them both in and show that they both satisfy the
equation).
We now have examples of complex numbers and can look at how we can do operations on them.

1.2 Definition
A complex number is of the form:

z1 = x + yj where x and y, y 0

e.g. let z1 be the complex number 2 + 3j

z1 = 2 + 3i

it has a real part and an imaginary part

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1.3 Addition
To add two complex numbers add the real parts and add the imaginary parts

Example 1.3.1

Let z1 = 4 + 5j and z2 = 2 + 3j

then z1 + z2 = (4 + 5j) + ( 2 + 3j) = (4 + 2) + ( 5j + 3j) = 6 + 8j

1.4 Subtraction
Similarly, to subtract two complex numbers, subtract the real parts and subtract the imaginary parts

Example 1.4.1

Let z1 = 4 + 5j and z2 = 2 + 3j

then z1 z2 = (4 + 5j) ( 2 + 3j) = (4 2) + ( 5j 3j) = 2 + 2j

1.5 Multiplication

1 then j = 1
2
To multiply two complex numbers expand the brackets and use the fact that if j =

Example 1.5.1

z1 z2 = (4 + 5j)(2 + 3j)
2
= 8 + 12j + 10j + 15j

= 8 + 22j 15 (because j2 = 1)

= 7 + 22j

Example 1.5.2

We can now check the answers we obtained in the introduction, ie check that 1 + 2j and 1 2j satisfy
the quadratic equation x 2x + 5 = 0
2

(1 + 2j) 2(1 + 2j) + 5 = (1 + 2j)(1 + 2j) 2 4j + 5 =

2
x = 1 + 2j
= 1 + 2j + 2j + 4j 2 4j + 5 = 1 + 4j 4 2 4j + 5 = 0 as required
2

x = 1 2j (1 2j)2 2(1 2j) + 5 = (1 2j)(1 2j) 2 + 4j + 5 =

= 1 2j 2j + 4j2 2 + 4j + 5 = 1 4j 4 2 + 4j + 5 = 0 as required

As you can see both complex number are solutions to the quadratic.

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1.6 Division
Division of complex numbers is not possible, instead we multiply numerator and denominator by the
complex conjugate of the denominator.

The complex conjugate of a complex number x + yj is x yj, ie you simply change the sign of the
imaginary part

If z2 = 2 + 3j then z 2 = 2 3j

Example 1.6.1

z1 (4 + 5j) (4 + 5j)(2 3j) 8 12j + 10j 15j2

= = =
z2 (2 + 3j) (2 + 3j)(2 3j) 4 + 6j 6j 9j2

as you can see the j term in the denominator is eliminated

23 2j 23 2j 23 2
= = This can also be written as j
4+9 13 13 13

1.7 Complex Conjugate

The conjugate of the complex number z is denoted by z (read as z bar)

Example 1.7.1

If z = 2 + 3j then its complex conjugate z is 2 3j

Example 1.7.2

If z = 4 5j then its complex conjugate z is 4 + 5j

1.8 Equality of Complex Numbers

If two complex numbers are equal then both real and imaginary parts must be equal

Example 1.8.1

If x + yj = 5 + 4j then equating the real parts gives x = 5 and equating the imaginary
parts gives y = 4

Example 1.8.2

If a + b + (a b)j = 7 + 2j
Equating real parts gives a + b = 7
Equating imaginary parts gives a b = 2
9 5
Adding these two equations gives 2a = 9 a = Back substitution gives b =
2 2
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2. Argand diagram and Polar Form

2.1 Argand Diagram

We have seen that the real and imaginary parts are independent so we can represent them in
diagrammatic form on an argand diagram, the real part on the x axis and the imaginary part on the y
axis.

Im the line represents the complex number z

3 where z3 = 3 + 2j
z3

3 1 1 3 Real

2.2 Polar Form (r , ) or r(cos + jsin)

It is also possible to specify z3 not in cartesian co-ordinates as above but in polar co-ordinates, ie by
specifying the values of r and

Im
3
z3
r
1

3 1 1 3 Real
z = x +yj then r = x2 + y2
y
and = tan1
x

r = 2 2 + 32 = 4 + 9 = 13
2
If z is a complex number and in the = tan1 = 33.69 z3 = ( 13 ,33.69)
3
This polar form is sometimes referred to as Modulus-Argument form, because r is the modulus and
is the argument.

Care must be taken if the complex number is not in the first quadrant, eg 3 5j, or 2 4j
It is always advisable to sketch the complex number on an Argand diagram first.
Note that is measured from the positive x axis in an anti-clockwise direction to 180 and in a
0

clockwise direction to 180 , therefore lies between 180 and 180 .

0 0 0

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Example 2.2.1 Given that z4 = 1 + 5j and z5 = 4 2j express them in polar form

Sketching them first:

Im

5 z4

3 1 1 3 Real

z5

5
For z4 r = 12 + 5 2 = 1 + 25 = 26 and = tan 1 = 78.69
1

2
For z5 r = 4 2 + (2 2 ) = 16 + 4 = 20 and = tan 1 = 26.57
0

So z 4 = ( 26,78.69 ) and z 5 = ( 20,26.57 )

2.3 Polar to Cartesian (Rectangular)

To convert from polar form to cartesian form use the formula x = rcos and y = rsin
so if z = r in polar form it is z = r (cos + jsin ) in cartesian form.

Example 2.3.1

Convert z4 in example 2.2.1 back into cartesian form.

z4 = r (cos + jsin ) = 26(cos78.69 + j sin78.69) = 1 + 5j as required

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2.4 Multiplication and Division
Multiplication and division are much easier when in Modulus Argument form (polar or exponential).

Given two complex numbers in modulus argument form

To multiply them:

Multiply the moduli and add the arguments

To divide them:

Divide the moduli and subtract the arguments

Example 2.4.1
z1 z 2 = ( ) (
13,56.31 26,78.69 )
= 13 26,56.31+78.69 = 338,135
(as a check you might like to change this answer into cartesian form to see if you get the same
answer as example 1.3.1)

Example 2.4.2
z1 13 2
= ,56.31 78.69 = ,22.38
z2 26 2

(again you might like to change this answer into cartesian form to see if you get the same answer as
example 1.6.1)

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Worksheet 1
1. (2 + 3j) + (1 - 2j) = 2. (1 + j) + (3 + 6j) =

3. (4 2j) (1 + 2j) = 4. (1 + 2j) + (2 3j) + (4 j) =

5. 3(1 + 4j) = 6. (2 + 3j)(1 2j) =

7. (1 + j)(3 + 6j) = 8. (1 + j)(2 j)(0 + 2j) =

(1 + j) (1 + 2j)
9. = 10. =
(2 + j) (4 3j)

11. express the following in the form a + bj

(1 + j) 4 (2 + j) (3 4j) (3 5j)(3 7j)

a. b. c. (3 + j) 3 d.
(2 j) 3j (2 j)(3 + j) j3 (3 + j)

12. Find the values of a and b (where a and b are real numbers)

3 2j 2 + 5j
a. 3(a + b) + (a b)j = 3 4j b. = a + bj c. = a + bj
5+ j 1 j

(a + bj) = (3 +j)(2 3j)

2
d. e. (3 + 4j) = (a + bj)(1 + j) f. (a + bj) = (4 + j)

g.
2
(a + bj) = 3 + 4j h. 15 + 8j = a + bj (hint: square both sides)

13. If 3z + 4 = z 3j determine the value of z

14. Find the values of z for which the following holds: 3zz + 2(z z) = 39 + 12j

15. Given that z1 = 2 + 5j and z2 = 3 2j

a. Calculate z1 z2 in cartesian form

b. Sketch z1 and z2 on an argand diagram

c. Convert z1 and z2 to polar form

d. Calculate z1 z2 in polar form

e. Convert your answer to part d into cartesian form.

f. Compare your answers to a and e

16. Express the following complex numbers in polar form and sketch them on an Argand diagram.
a. 1 j b. 5 c. 2 + 2j d. 2j e. 3 4j

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3. De Moivres Theorem
3.1 Positive whole numbers

De Moivres theorem states that :

n n
If z is a complex number and in the form (r, ) then z = (r , n)

It is used to raise a complex number in polar form to any power n.

We raise r to the power of n and multiply the angle by n.

Example 3.1.1

5
2
+ j 45 0
= (1,450 ) 5 in polar form
2

5
2

2 + j 45 = (1 , 5 45 ) = (1,225 ) = (1, 135 )
0 5 0 0 0

Example 3.1.2

15
2
+ j 45 0
0
= (1, 45 )
15
in polar form
2

15
2
+ j 45 0
= (1 15 , 15 450 ) = (1,6750) = (1, 3150 ) = (1, 450)
2

0
(removing the multiples of 360 and putting into the correct quadrant )

3.2 Negative numbers

Example 3.2.1

( )
3+ j
3
= (2, 30 )
0 3
in polar form

( )
3+ j
3 1
= 2 3 , 3 300 = ,90 0

8

3.3 Fractional numbers

1
n
Consider z

Where n is a whole number and z = (r, )

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 1
n
z is defined to be any complex number which gives z when raised to the power n.

Such a complex number is called the nth root of z

Example 3.3.1

Find the cube roots of the complex number j8

0
In polar form this is (8, 90 )

90 0 + k360 0
1

( j8)
1
3
3 = (,8 , )
3
Where k = 0,1,2
0 0 0 0
The three roots are therefore (2, 30 ) , (2, 150 ) and (2, 270 ) which is (2, 90 )

They all have the same modulus of 2 but their arguments are equi-spaced around the argand diagram
at 1200 intervals.

In general

0 + k360 0
1
1
n n
z = (r , ) for k = 0,1,2, .. (n 1)
n

Worksheet 2
1. Determine the following in the form a + jb, expressing a and b in decimals correct to
four significant figures:

10 4
(a) (1 + j 3 ) (b) (2 j5)

2. Determine the fourth roots of j81

3. Determine the fifth roots of the complex number 4 + j4 in the form a + jb expressing
a and b to two decimal places.
4
4. Find the fourth roots of unity, i.e. solve he equation z = 1

5. Find the fifth roots of unity

Harder problem

3
6. Determine all the values of (3 + j4) 2

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Answers to Worksheets

Worksheet 1

1. 3+j 2. 2 + 7j 3. 3 4j 4. 7 2j

5. 3 + 12j 6. 8j 7. 9 + 3j 8. 2 + 6j

3 1 2 11
9. + j 10. + j
5 5 25 25

1 29 6 17 41 57
11a. + j 11b. + j 11c. 18 + 26j 11d. j
5 15 25 25 5 5

Question a b c d e f g h
12
A 3/2 3/2 9 7/2 15 2 2 4 4
B 5/2 1/2 7/2 7 1/2 8 1 1 1 1

3
13. z = 2 j 14. z = 2 + 3j or z = 2 + 3j
4

15a. 16 + 11j 15c. z1 = (29, 68.2) z2 = (13, 33.69)

15d. z1z2 = 377, 34.51) 15e. 16 + 11j 15f. a = e as expected

16a. 2(cos45 + jsin45) 16b. 5(cos0 + jsin0) 16c. 22(cos135 + jsin135)

16d. 2(cos90 + jsin90) 16e. 5(cos127 + jsin127)

Worksheet 2

1. (a) 512.0 + 886.8j (b) 0.0005808 + 0.001188.8j

2. (2.772 + 1.148j), ( 1.148 + 2.772j), (2.772 + 1.148j), (.148 2.772j)

3. (8 + 0.91j), (0.31 + 1.98j), (1.98 + 0.31j), (0.91 1.78j), ( 1.41 1.41j)

4. (.92 + 0.38j), (0.38 + 0.92j), (0.92 0.38j), (0.38 0.92j)

5. (0.95 + 0.31j), (0 + j), (0.95 + 0.31j), (0.9 0.81j), (0.59 0.81j)

0 0
6. (11.18, 79.70 ), (11.18, 100.3 )

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