Skip to main content

 
Interactive Mathematics
Learn math while you play with it
Search IntMath
Search for:
 
Submit: b0

 home
 interactives
 blog
 forum
 sitemap
 about

Chapter Contents

 Complex Numbers
 1. Basic Definitions of Complex Numbers
 2. Basic Operations in Complex Numbers
 3. Graphical Representation of Complex Numbers
 4. Polar Form of Complex Numbers
 Convert polar to rectangular using hand-held calculator
 Polar to Rectangular Online Calculator
 5. Exponential Form of Complex Numbers
 Euler Formula and Euler Identity interactive graph
 6. Products and Quotients of Complex Numbers
 Graphical explanation of multiplying and dividing complex numbers
 7. Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers
 8. AC Circuit Definitions
 9. Impedance and Phase Angle: Application of Complex Numbers
 10. Reactance and Angular Velocity: Application of Complex Numbers
 11. AC Circuit Exercises
 12. Parallel AC Circuits
 Vocabulary
 Fractals

 Feedback?

IntMath Forum
Get help with your math queries:

IntMath forum »

Recommendation
Math videos by MathTutorDVD.com

Easy to understand algebra lessons on DVD. Try before you commit. More info:
MathTutorDVD.com

Online Algebra Solver

Solve your algebra problem step by step!

Online Algebra Solver »

1. Home

2. » Complex Numbers

3. » 7. Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers

7. Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers

by M. Bourne

Consider the following example, which follows from basic algebra:

3j 2 6j
(5e )  = 25e
We can generalise this example as follows:
jθ n n jnθ
(re )  = r e
The above expression, written in polar form, leads us to DeMoivre's Theorem.

DeMoivre's Theorem
 n n
[r(cos θ + j sin θ)]  = r (cos nθ + j sin nθ)

where `j=sqrt(-1)`. Equivalently,

n n
(r∠θ)  = r  ∠nθ

Challenge

I'm going to challenge you here...

I have never been able to find an electronics or electrical engineer that's

even heard of DeMoivre's Theorem. Certainly, any engineers I've asked don't
know how it is applied in 'real life'.

I've always felt that while this is a nice piece of mathematics, it is rather
useless.. :-)

Here are some responses I've had to my challenge:

Some possibilities

After those responses, I'm becoming more convinced it's worth it for electrical
engineers to learn deMoivre's Theorem. Please let me know if there are any
other applications.

Example 1

Find (1 − 2j)6

Answer

Continues below ⇩

Complex Roots
If an = x + yj then we expect n complex roots for a.

Example 2
5
If a  = 7 + 5j, then we expect `5` complex roots for a.
 Spacing of n-th roots

In general, if we are looking for the n-th roots of an equation involv

Skip to main content

 
Interactive Mathematics
Learn math while you play with it
Search IntMath
Search for:
 
Submit: b0

 home
 interactives
 blog
 forum
 sitemap
 about

Chapter Contents

 Complex Numbers
 1. Basic Definitions of Complex Numbers
 2. Basic Operations in Complex Numbers
 3. Graphical Representation of Complex Numbers
 4. Polar Form of Complex Numbers
 Convert polar to rectangular using hand-held calculator
 Polar to Rectangular Online Calculator
 5. Exponential Form of Complex Numbers
 Euler Formula and Euler Identity interactive graph
 6. Products and Quotients of Complex Numbers
 Graphical explanation of multiplying and dividing complex numbers
 7. Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers
 8. AC Circuit Definitions
 9. Impedance and Phase Angle: Application of Complex Numbers
 10. Reactance and Angular Velocity: Application of Complex Numbers
 11. AC Circuit Exercises
 12. Parallel AC Circuits
 Vocabulary
 Fractals
 Feedback?

IntMath Forum

Get help with your math queries:

IntMath forum »

Recommendation
Math videos by MathTutorDVD.com

Easy to understand algebra lessons on DVD. Try before you commit. More info:
MathTutorDVD.com

Online Algebra Solver

Solve your algebra problem step by step!

Online Algebra Solver »

1. Home

2. » Complex Numbers

3. » 7. Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers

7. Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers

by M. Bourne

Consider the following example, which follows from basic algebra:

3j 2 6j
(5e )  = 25e
We can generalise this example as follows:
jθ n n jnθ
(re )  = r e
The above expression, written in polar form, leads us to DeMoivre's Theorem.
DeMoivre's Theorem
n n
[r(cos θ + j sin θ)]  = r (cos nθ + j sin nθ)

where `j=sqrt(-1)`. Equivalently,

n n
(r∠θ)  = r  ∠nθ

Challenge

I'm going to challenge you here...

I have never been able to find an electronics or electrical engineer that's

even heard of DeMoivre's Theorem. Certainly, any engineers I've asked don't
know how it is applied in 'real life'.

I've always felt that while this is a nice piece of mathematics, it is rather
useless.. :-)

Here are some responses I've had to my challenge:

Some possibilities

After those responses, I'm becoming more convinced it's worth it for electrical
engineers to learn deMoivre's Theorem. Please let me know if there are any
other applications.

Example 1

Find (1 − 2j)6

Answer

Continues below ⇩

Complex Roots
If an = x + yj then we expect n complex roots for a.
Example 2
5
If a  = 7 + 5j, then we expect `5` complex roots for a.

Spacing of n-th roots

In general, if we are looking for the n-th roots of an equation involv