The horizontal axis is the real axis and the vertical axis is the imaginary axis.

We find the real and

complex components in terms of rr and θθ where rr is the length of the vector and θθ is the angle
made with the real axis.

From Pythagorean Theorem:

r2=a2+b2r2=a2+b2

By using the basic trigonometric ratios:

cosθ=arcosθ=ar and sinθ=brsinθ=br.

Multiplying each side by rr:

rcosθ=a and rsinθ=brcosθ=a and rsinθ=b

The rectangular form of a complex number is given by

z=a+biz=a+bi.

Substitute the values of aa and bb.

z=a+bi    =rcosθ+(rsinθ)i    =r(cosθ+isinθ)z=a+bi    =rcosθ+(rsinθ)i    =r(cosθ+isinθ)

In the case of a complex number, rr represents the absolute value or modulus and the angle θθ is
called the argument of the complex number.

This can be summarized as follows:

The polar form of a complex number z=a+biz=a+bi is z=r(cosθ+isinθ)z=r(cosθ+isinθ), where

r=|z|=a2+b2−−−−−−√r=|z|=a2+b2, a=rcosθ and b=rsinθa=rcosθ and b=rsinθ, and
θ=tan−1(ba)θ=tan−1(ba) for a>0a>0 and θ=tan−1(ba)+πθ=tan−1(ba)+π or
θ=tan−1(ba)+180°θ=tan−1(ba)+180° for a<0a<0.

Example:
Express the complex number in polar form.

5+2i5+2i

The polar form of a complex number z=a+biz=a+bi is z=r(cosθ+isinθ)z=r(cosθ+isinθ).

So, first find the absolute value of rr.

r=|z|=a2+b2−−−−−−√    =52+22−−−−−−√    =25+4−−−−−√    =29−−√     ≈5.39r=|z|=a2+b2    =52+22    =25
+4    =29     ≈5.39

Now find the argument θθ.

Since a>0a>0, use the formula θ=tan−1(ba)θ=tan−1(ba).

θ=tan−1(25)    ≈0.38θ=tan−1(25)    ≈0.38

Note that here θθ is measured in radians.

Therefore, the polar form of 5+2i5+2i is about 5.39(cos(0.38)+isin(0.38))5.39(cos(0.38)+isin(0.38)).

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