Section 1.5.

Complex Conjugates 1

Section 1.5. Complex Conjugates

Note. In this section, we introduce a useful operation on a complex number with

an easy geometric interpretation.

Definition. The complex conjugate (or simply conjugate) of z = x+iy is z = x−iy.

Note. In the complex plane, z is the mirror image of z about the real axis (the
“x-axis”).

Theorem 1.5.1. For all z1 , z2 ∈ C we have

z1 + z2 = z 1 + z 2 z1 − z2 = z 1 − z 2
z1 z2 = z 1 z 2 z1 /z2 = z 1 /z 2
Re(z) = (z + z)/2 Im(z) = (z − z)/(2i)
Section 1.5. Complex Conjugates 2

Note 1.5.A. Since with z = x + iy we have |z|2 = |x + iy|2 = x2 + y 2 = (x +

iy)(x − iy) = zz, then the conjugate gives us a concise way to express the modulus
and reciprocal of z ∈ C:
1 z
|z|2 = zz and = 2.
z |z|

Theorem 1.5.2. For all z1 , z2 ∈ C we have

 
 z1 
|z1 z2 | = |z1 ||z2 | and   = |z1 |/|z2 | (for z 6= 0).
z2

Proof. We have

|z1 z2 |2 = (z1 z2 )(z1 z2 ) by Note 1.5.A

= z1 z2 z 1 z 2 by Theorem 1.5.1

= z1 z 1 z2 z 2 by Commutivity of Multiplication (Theorem 1.2.1(1))

= |z1 |2 |z2 |2 by Note 1.5.A.

Taking square roots (and since moduli are nonnegative), |z1 z2 | = |z1 ||z2 |. The
second equation is addressed in Exercise 1.5.5 (in Exercise 1.6.5 in the 9th edition
of the book).

Revised: 1/28/2020