POLAR FORM OF

COMPLEX NUMBERS
Prepared by: Engr. Clofer V. Suson
Polar Form of Complex Number
Imaginary
Axis
Let a complex number Z be x+yi
as shown in the diagram. Let
distance OZ be r and angle OZ
Z makes with positive real axis be 𝜽.
r Z = x+yi
yi
Therefore, we can obtain:
Real Axis x = r cos 𝜽
O x A y = r sin 𝜽
Continuation
Since z = x+yi :
z = r cosθ + i r sinθ
Z = r (cosθ + i sinθ)
Z=r∠𝛉 POLAR FORM

r is called the modulus (or magnitude) of z and is written mod z or |z|.

r = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐
θ is called argument (or amplitude) of z and is written Arg z.
Arg z = 𝛉 = tan -1 𝒚 Where: - r ≤ θ ≤ r
𝒙
Conversion Between Forms
- Polar to Rectangular:
x = r cos 𝜽
y = r sin 𝜽
- Rectangular to Polar:
r = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐
Arg z = 𝛉 = tan -1 𝒚 Where: - r ≤ θ ≤ r
𝒙
Euler’s Formula
𝒆𝒊𝜽 = cos 𝜽 + i sin 𝜽
z = r cosθ + i r sinθ = r (cosθ + i sinθ)
z = r𝑒 𝑖𝜃 = r𝑒 𝜃𝑖

Common Engineering Notation:

r𝒆𝜽𝒊 = r ∠ 𝜽
 Convert from complex to POLAR FORM
Continuation:
1. z = 4 + 3i r𝒆𝜽𝒊 = r ∠ 𝜽 Therefore, we can obtain:
Solve for the value of z: z = 5 ∠ 36.87° In Degrees
r = 42 + 32
𝟎.𝟔𝟒𝟑𝟓𝟎𝒊 In Radians
r=5 z = 5𝒆
Note: this is in Degrees
Solve for the value of 𝛉:

𝜃 = tan -1 3 Note: to convert degrees to

π
4 radians, multiply it with (
𝟏𝟖𝟎°
)
π
= 36.87° ( )
180°
𝜃 = 0.64350 rad
 Convert from complex to POLAR FORM
Continuation:
2. z = -4 + 3i r𝒆𝜽𝒊 = r ∠ 𝜽 Therefore, we can obtain:
Solve for the value of z:
z = 5 ∠ 143.13° In Degrees
r = (−4)2 +32
r=5 z = 5𝒆𝟐.𝟒𝟗𝟖𝟎𝟗𝒊 In Radians
Solve for the value of 𝛉:

-1 3
𝜃 = tan (−4)
Note: this is in Degrees
= -36.87° + 180°
π Note: to convert degrees to
= 143.13° (180°) radians, multiply it with (
π
𝟏𝟖𝟎°
)

𝜃 = 2.49809 rad
Convert from complex to RECTANGULAR FORM
1. z = 4 𝒆𝟐𝒊 Z = x + yi

x = r cosθ
x = 4 cos 2 Therefore, we can obtain:
x = -1.66459
Note: make sure that your z = -1.66459 + 3.63719 𝒊
calculators are set in RADIANS
y = r sinθ mode

y = 4 sin 2
y = 3.63719
Convert from complex to RECTANGULAR FORM
1. z = 10 𝒆−𝒊 Z = x + yi

x = r cosθ
x = 10 cos (-1) Therefore, we can obtain:
x = 5.40302
Note: make sure that your z = 5.40302 - 8.41471 𝒊
calculators are set in RADIANS
y = r sinθ mode

y = 10 sin (-1)
y = -8.41471
Assignment (1/2)
1. Find the Polar form (in radians) of the following complex numbers:
a.) z = -1 + i
b.) z = − 3 + i
c.) z = - 3i
d.) z = -2 – 4i
Assignment (2/2)
2. Express each of the following complex numbers in rectangular
form:
π𝑖
a.) 3𝑒 4

b.) 7𝑒 π𝑖

π𝑖
c.) 8𝑒 2

d.) 10𝑒 0.41𝑖