Complex Numbers Housekeeping, Elementary Geometry, Arguments, Polar Representation

MTH 101 (Elementary Mathematics I),
2019/2020 Session:
Module 3.4- Introduction to Complex

Numbers
Lecture IV, Module 3
Olawanle LAYENI
Department of Mathematics,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
220005 ILE-IFE, NIGERIA
18th February, 2021
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Table of Contents
Introduction The Argument of a Complex

Number
Housekeeping
Examples
Question from a Little Bird
Properties of the Argument
Geometric Representation of
Complex Numbers Examples
The Sum of Two Complex

Numbers Polar Representation of
Complex Numbers
Argument of a Complex
Number Examples
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Introduction
The contents of this sub-module are
Geometric representation of complex numbers.
Arguments of complex numbers.
Polar form of complex numbers.
In the following, we shall continue a systematic introduction to

the geometric representation of complex numbers.
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Introduction, A Little Housekeeping
We start this lecture with a little housekeeping.
An important note on terminology- the absolute value of a

complex number is also called its modulus.
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The absolute value or modulus of a complex number has a

positive value.
4 / 23
Let λ, a, b ∈ R. Then
(
λ(a ± bi) = (λa) ± (λb) i
|λ(a ± bi)| = |λ| × |a ± bi| .
4 / 23
Let z ∈ C. Then,
(
z + z = 2 Re z
z − z = 2 Im z.
4 / 23
An important note on terminology- the absolute value of a

complex number is also called its modulus.
The absolute value or modulus of a complex number has a

positive value.
Let λ, a, b ∈ R. Then
(
λ(a ± bi) = (λa) ± (λb) i
|λ(a ± bi)| = |λ| × |a ± bi| .
Let z ∈ C. Then,
(
z + z = 2 Re z
z − z = 2 Im z.
4 / 23
Introduction, A Little Housekeeping- A Question
from a Little Bird
A little bird recently asked me if the absolute value/modulus
of the sum of two complex numbers is the sum of their absolute
values/moduli.
1 Link
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from a Little Bird
My response was,
1 Link
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from a Little Bird
“it’s a hazard, it’s here and

there Bird, . . . ,
1 Link
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from a Little Bird
t’esumole1
1 Link
5 / 23
from a Little Bird
. . . . It’s not so in general,
1 Link
5 / 23
from a Little Bird
don’t give in
to . . . nonsense:”
1 Link
5 / 23
from a Little Bird
A little bird recently asked me if the absolute value/modulus
of the sum of two complex numbers is the sum of their absolute
values/moduli. My response was, “it’s a hazard, it’s here and
there Bird, . . . , t’esumole1 . . . . It’s not so in general, don’t give in
to . . . nonsense:”
1 Link
5 / 23
from a Little Bird
Let z1 , z2 ∈ C, then
|z1 + z2 |≤|z1 | + |z2 |
1 Link
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from a Little Bird
For the purpose of illustration,

√ √ z1 = i and z2 = 1. Then
set
2 2
|z1 + z2 | = |1 + i| = 1 + 1 = 2. But we √ observe that
|z1 | + |z2 | = |i| + |1| = 1 + 1 = 2. Clearly 2 ≤ 2, and the
modulus of the sum of two complex numbers is not in general
the same as the sum of their moduli.
1 Link
5 / 23
Table of Contents

Number
Housekeeping
Examples

Complex Numbers
Number Examples
6 / 23
The Geometric Representation of Complex Numbers
Given an x − yi plane, every complex number is

geometrically a point on that plane.
2 Complex numbers with no imaginary parts.

3 Complex numbers with no real parts.
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This plane is called the complex plane or the Argand plane.

7 / 23
Purely real numbers2 are points on the abscissa, that is on

the x-axis, of the complex plane.

7 / 23
Purely imaginary numbers3 are points on the ordinate, that

is the yi- axis, of the complex plane.

7 / 23
Given an x − yi plane, every complex number is

geometrically a point on that plane.
This plane is called the complex plane or the Argand plane.
Purely real numbers2 are points on the abscissa, that is on

the x-axis, of the complex plane.
Purely imaginary numbers3 are points on the ordinate, that

is the yi- axis, of the complex plane.

7 / 23
The Geometric Representation of Complex
Numbers, Continued
The point-geometric representation of a complex number

a + bi on the Complex or Argand plane is that of the
position of a coordinate (a, b) on the x − yi- plane.
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Numbers, Continued
The shortest distance between any point and the origin on the
complex plane or Argand plane is through a straight line.
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Numbers, Continued
The length of that straight line which joins a complex

number, which is geometrically a point on the complex plane,
with the origin (of the complex plane) is the absolute value
or modulus of that complex number.
8 / 23
Numbers, Continued
The point-geometric representation of a complex number

a + bi on the Complex or Argand plane is that of the
position of a coordinate (a, b) on the x − yi- plane.
The shortest distance between any point and the origin on the
complex plane or Argand plane is through a straight line.
The length of that straight line which joins a complex

number, which is geometrically a point on the complex plane,
with the origin (of the complex plane) is the absolute value
or modulus of that complex number.
8 / 23
Numbers, Diagram
Figure: The Argand or Complex Plane and the Situation of a Complex

Number a + bi and its Conjugate a − bi.
9 / 23
Numbers, Sum of Two Complex Numbers
Now that we give a procedure for geometrically representing
the sum of two complex numbers.The corresponding diagram
is given on the next slide.
Represent two complex numbers a + bi and c + di, a, b, c, d

real numbers, as points on the complex plane.
10 / 23

Draw straight lines from these points to the origin of the

plane.
10 / 23


plane.
Construct a parallelogram from these two straight lines,

having them as concurrent sides, with the origin and the two
points representing a + bi and c + di as vertices.
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plane.
Construct a parallelogram from these two straight lines,

having them as concurrent sides, with the origin and the two
points representing a + bi and c + di as vertices.
The fourth vertex making the parallelogram represents the

sum of a + bi and c + di.
10 / 23
Numbers, Sum of Two Complex Numbers, Continued
Figure: The Sum of Two Complex Numbers a + bi and c + di

11 / 23
Numbers, Geometric Definition of the Argument
An alternative geometric perception of an arbitrary complex

number a + bi on the complex plane is that in terms of the
length of the straight line from the complex number to the
origin and the angle that line makes with the abscissa.
The length of the straight line from the straight line to the
origin is its absolute value or modulus.
12 / 23

The angle the straight line makes with the abscissa is called
the argument of the complex number.
12 / 23

The length of the straight line from the straight line to the
origin is its absolute value or modulus.
The angle the straight line makes with the abscissa is called
the argument of the complex number.
12 / 23
Numbers, Geometric Definition of the Argument, A
Diagram
Figure: The Argument of an Arbitrary Complex Number z = x + yi.

13 / 23
Table of Contents

Number
Housekeeping
Examples

Complex Numbers
Number Examples
14 / 23
The Argument of a Complex Number
We give another definition of the argument of a complex
number in the following.
Let a + bi, a, b real numbers, not both zero, be given. The

argument of a + bi, denoted Arg(a + bi), is defined as

− 1 b

 tan a>0
a











Arg(a + bi) =













15 / 23









 − 1 b

 tan +π a < 0 and b ≥ 0
a



Arg(a + bi) =













15 / 23















Arg(a + bi) =
tan −1 b − π a < 0 and b < 0
a













15 / 23















Arg(a + bi) =



 π


a = 0 and b > 0

2






15 / 23















Arg(a + bi) =










 −π

a = 0 and b < 0

2
15 / 23


− 1 b

 tan a>0
a




 b
tan−1


 +π a < 0 and b ≥ 0
a



Arg(a + bi) = b
tan−1 −π a < 0 and b < 0
a




 π
a = 0 and b > 0


2 π




 −

a = 0 and b < 0
2
15 / 23
The Argument of a Complex Number, Examples
Example 1
Question: Compute the arguments of
(i) 1 + i , .
Answer:
16 / 23
Example 1
(ii) 1 − i , .
Answer:
16 / 23
Example 1
(iii) −1 − i .
Answer:
16 / 23
Example 1
(i) 1 + i , .
Answer:

− 1 π
(i) Arg(1 + i) = tan 1 = tan−1 (1) = .
1 4
16 / 23
Example 1
(ii) 1 − i , .
Answer:
−1

π
(ii) Arg(1 − i) = tan−1 = tan−1 (−1) = − .
1 4
16 / 23
Example 1
(iii) −1 − i .
Answer:
−1

(iii) Arg(−1 − i) = tan−1 − π = tan−1 (1) − π =
−1
π 3π
−π = − .
4 4
16 / 23
Example 1
(i) 1 + i , (ii) 1 − i , (iii) −1 − i .
Answer:

− 1 π
(i) Arg(1 + i) = tan 1 = tan−1 (1) = .
1 4
−1

π
(ii) Arg(1 − i) = tan−1 = tan−1 (−1) = − .
1 4
−1

(iii) Arg(−1 − i) = tan−1 − π = tan−1 (1) − π =
−1
π 3π
−π = − .
4 4
16 / 23
The Argument of a Complex Number, Properties
In the following, some properties of the arguments of complex

numbers are given.
Let z1 , z2 be complex numbers, then
Arg(z1 z2 ) = Arg(z1 ) + Arg(z2 ) .
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numbers are given.

z1
Arg = Arg(z1 ) − Arg(z2 ), z2 6= 0 .
z2
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numbers are given.
Arg(z1n ) = nArg(z1 ) , n ∈ Z .
17 / 23

numbers are given.
Arg(z1 z2 ) = Arg(z1 ) + Arg(z2 ) .

z1
Arg = Arg(z1 ) − Arg(z2 ), z2 6= 0 .
z2
Arg(z1n ) = nArg(z1 ) , n ∈ Z .
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Example 2
Question: Calculate the arguments of
1
(i) ,
i 50
Answer:
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Example 2
√ !,
1 3
(ii) + i (−1 − i) .
2 2
Answer:
18 / 23
Example 2
1
(i) ,
i 50
Answer:

1 1
(i) Arg 50 = 50 Arg = 50 (Arg(1) − Arg(i)) =
i π i
50 0 − = −25π .
2
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Example 2
√ !,
1 3
(ii) + i (−1 − i) .
2 2
Answer:
√ !, ! √ !
1 3 1 3
(ii) Arg + i (−1 − i) = Arg + i −
2 2 2 2
√ , !
−1

− 3 1
Arg(−1 − i) = tan 1 − tan−1 −π =
2 2 −1
√ π π 13
tan−1 3 − tan−1 (1) − π = −

−π = π .
3 4 12 18 / 23
Example 2
Answer:
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Example 2
√ !,
1 1 3
(i) 50 , (ii) + i (−1 − i) .
i 2 2
Answer:

1 1
(i) Arg 50 = 50 Arg = 50 (Arg(1) − Arg(i)) =
i π i
50 0 − = −25π .
2
√ !, ! √ !
1 3 1 3
(ii) Arg + i (−1 − i) = Arg + i −
2 2 2 2
√ , !
−1

− 3 1
Arg(−1 − i) = tan 1 − tan−1 −π =
2 2 −1
√ π π 13
tan−1 3 − tan−1 (1) − π = −

−π = π .
3 4 12 18 / 23
Table of Contents

Number
Housekeeping
Examples

Complex Numbers
Number Examples
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The Polar Form of Complex Numbers
Having understood the algebra and geometry of complex

numbers so far presented, we shall give the representation of
an arbitrary complex number in terms of only its absolute
value and its argument.
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Such a representation as we intend is called a polar

representation of a complex number.
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Let a + bi ; a, b ∈ R , be given. Then

a + bi = a + bi e [Arg(a+bi)] i .

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Such a representation as we intend is called a polar

representation of a complex number.
Let a + bi ; a, b ∈ R , be given. Then

a + bi = a + bi e [Arg(a+bi)] i .

20 / 23
In general, for any nonzero complex number z, the polar

representation of z is
21 / 23

z = |z| eArg(z) i
21 / 23
or
21 / 23

!

z = |z| cos (Arg(z) + sin Arg(z) i
21 / 23
The Polar Form of Complex Numbers, Examples
Example 3
Question: Express the following in polar form
(i) −1 − i ,
Answer:
22 / 23
Example 3
(ii) (−2i) 69 ,
Answer:
22 / 23
Example 3
1
(iii) √ .
3+i
Answer:
22 / 23
Example 3
(i) −1 − i ,
Answer:
√ −1

3π
(i) | − 1 − i| = 2; Arg(−1 − i) = tan−1 −π = − .
−1 4
3π
!
√ − i
Therefore −1 − i = 2 e 4 or
√
3π

3π

2 cos − sin i .
4 4
22 / 23
Example 3
(ii) (−2i) 69 ,
Answer:
(ii) Hint- Moduli and arguments of integral exponents of z ∈ C.
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Example 3
1
(iii) √ .
3+i
Answer:
(iii) Hint- Moduli and arguments of reciprocals of nonzero z ∈ C.

22 / 23
Example 3
1
(i) −1 − i , (ii) (−2i) 69 , (iii) √ .
3+i
Answer:
√ −1

− 1 3π
(i) | − 1 − i| = 2; Arg(−1 − i) = tan −π = − .
−1 4
3π
!
√ − i
Therefore −1 − i = 2 e 4 or
√
3π

3π

2 cos − sin i .
4 4
(ii) Hint- Moduli and arguments of integral exponents of z ∈ C.
(iii) Hint- Moduli and arguments of reciprocals of nonzero z ∈ C.

22 / 23
End of Lecture IV
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
23 / 23

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MTH 101 (Elementary Mathematics I),

Module 3.4- Introduction to Complex

Lecture IV, Module 3

18th February, 2021

Introduction The Argument of a Complex

The Sum of Two Complex

The contents of this sub-module are

Geometric representation of complex numbers.

Arguments of complex numbers.

Polar form of complex numbers.

In the following, we shall continue a systematic introduction to

An important note on terminology- the absolute value of a

The absolute value or modulus of a complex number has a

An important note on terminology- the absolute value of a

The absolute value or modulus of a complex number has a

“it’s a hazard, it’s here and

. . . . It’s not so in general,

|z1 + z2 |≤|z1 | + |z2 |

For the purpose of illustration,

Introduction The Argument of a Complex

The Sum of Two Complex

Given an x − yi plane, every complex number is

2 Complex numbers with no imaginary parts.

This plane is called the complex plane or the Argand plane.

2 Complex numbers with no imaginary parts.

Purely real numbers2 are points on the abscissa, that is on

2 Complex numbers with no imaginary parts.

Purely imaginary numbers3 are points on the ordinate, that

2 Complex numbers with no imaginary parts.

Given an x − yi plane, every complex number is

This plane is called the complex plane or the Argand plane.

Purely real numbers2 are points on the abscissa, that is on

Purely imaginary numbers3 are points on the ordinate, that

2 Complex numbers with no imaginary parts.

The point-geometric representation of a complex number

The length of that straight line which joins a complex

The point-geometric representation of a complex number

The length of that straight line which joins a complex

Figure: The Argand or Complex Plane and the Situation of a Complex

Represent two complex numbers a + bi and c + di, a, b, c, d

Represent two complex numbers a + bi and c + di, a, b, c, d

Draw straight lines from these points to the origin of the

Represent two complex numbers a + bi and c + di, a, b, c, d

Draw straight lines from these points to the origin of the

Construct a parallelogram from these two straight lines,

Represent two complex numbers a + bi and c + di, a, b, c, d

Draw straight lines from these points to the origin of the

Construct a parallelogram from these two straight lines,

The fourth vertex making the parallelogram represents the

Figure: The Sum of Two Complex Numbers a + bi and c + di

An alternative geometric perception of an arbitrary complex

An alternative geometric perception of an arbitrary complex

An alternative geometric perception of an arbitrary complex

Figure: The Argument of an Arbitrary Complex Number z = x + yi.

Introduction The Argument of a Complex

The Sum of Two Complex

Let a + bi, a, b real numbers, not both zero, be given. The