13.

Complex numbers
Basics, complex conjugates The quadratic formula Comparing parts Im

Example y
Theory Example
r θ
A complex number z is of the form Solve z 2 + 2z + 5 = 0. Solve z 2 + zz ∗ = 8 − 4i.
z = x + yi , where x, y ∈ R and i2 = −1. x Re
Let z = x + yi
We call x the real part Re(z) = x and y −2 ±
p
22 − 4(1)(5) (x + yi)2 + (x + yi)(x − yi) = 8 − 4i
the imaginary part Im(z) = y. z=
2(1) x2 + 2xyi − y 2 + x2 + y 2 = 8 − 4i
The complex conjugate of z = x + yi is √ 2x2 + 2xyi = 8 − 4i
−2 ± −16
given by z ∗ = x − yi . =
Comparing real parts: The Argand diagram
2
∗
z + z = 2x = 2Re(z) −2 ± 4i 2x2 = 8 ⇒ x = ±2
= = −1 ± 2i
∗ 2 Comparing imaginary parts:
z − z = 2yi = 2iIm(z)
2xy = −4 ⇒ y = ∓1 Complex number forms
∗ 2 2 2
zz = x + y = |z| Hence z = 2 − i or z = −2 + i.
Modulus/argument I Formula
Example of complex division: Formula
Modulus/argument II
1−i 1 − i 3 − 4i Cartesian form: z = x + yi
Let α = tan-1  xy 
 
= ·
3 + 4i 3 + 4i 3 − 4i
p
r = |z| = x2 + y 2

α first quadrant Polar/trigo form:
−1 − 7i 

z = r(cos θ + i sin θ)
= Let arg(z) = θ.

π − α second quadrant
25 θ=
y −(π − α) third quadrant
tan θ = Euler/exp form: z = reiθ


x

−α

fourth quadrant

The conjugate root theorem

The half-angle “trick”
Theory Modulus/argument III 1 + ei2θ = eiθ e−iθ + eiθ eiθ
|wz| = |w||z| arg(wz) = arg(w) + arg(z)  
 w  |w| = eiθ e−iθ + eiθ
Let P (z) be a polynomial with real coefficients. The conjugate root theorem states
 =
z |z| arg( w
z ) = arg(w) − arg(z)
that if a + bi is a root to P (z) = 0, then its conjugate a − bi is also a root to P (z) = 0. |z n | = |z|n arg(z n ) = n arg(z) = eiθ (2Re(eiθ ))
|z ∗ | = |z| arg(z ∗ ) = −arg(z)
= 2 cos θ eiθ
Example
Purely real/imaginary numbers
3 2
Solve 3z − 7z + 17z − 5 = 0 given that 1 + 2i is a root. By long division or comparing
coefficients, we can obtain the final Condition Cartesian Argument (k ∈ Z)
Since all the coefficients are real, by the conjugate root factor 3z − 1. real y=0 arg = kπ
theorem, 1 − 2i is also a root. 3 2 real and positive y = 0, x > 0 arg = 2kπ
3z − 7z + 17z − 5 =
By the factor theorem, (z − (1 + 2i)) and (z − (1 − 2i)) real and negative y = 0, x < 0 arg = (2k + 1)π
(z − (1 + 2i)(z − (1 − 2i))(3z − 1).
are factors of the cubic polynomial. purely imaginary x=0 arg = (2k+1)π
2
(z − 1 − 2i)(z − 1 + 2i) = (z − 1)2 − (2i)2 = z 2 − 2z + 5. Hence z = 1 + 2i, z = 1 − 2i or z = 13 .

Kelvin Soh https://math-atlas.vercel.app 2021 1 / 1