A.O.

SANGOTOLA

4 Complex Numbers
4.1 Concept of Complex numbers
The real numbers do not fully serve ever increasing demand of modern science. The main
deficiency is that not all polynomials have a real root. For example, the simple quadratic
equation 𝑥 2 + 1 = 0 has no real root in the set of real numbers. However, 𝑥 = ±√−1 formally
solves the equation 𝑥 2 + 1 = 0. Such difficulties can be overcome if the real number system is
extended by introducing the imaginary unit 𝑖 defined as 𝑖 = √−1 or 𝑖 2 = −1.
The extension of the real number system required to solve problems of the type just related
involves the introduction of complex numbers denoted by ℂ.
4.2 Representation of Complex numbers
Rectangular form
This is of the form 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers. 𝑎 is the real part while 𝑏 are
imaginary part.
Polar form
This is of the form 𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)
𝑟 is called the modulus of 𝑧.

𝑟 = |𝑧| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝜃 is the argument of 𝑧
𝑏
𝜃 = arg 𝑧 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑎
The value of arg 𝑧 which lies in the interval – 𝜋 < 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋 is called the principal value of 𝑧.
The general value of arg 𝑧 can be expressed as 2𝑛𝜋 + 𝜃

Argand diagram
Any complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 can be represented by an ordered pair (𝑎, 𝑏) and hence plotted
on 𝑥𝑦 −axes with the real part measured along the 𝑥 −axis and the imaginary part along the
𝑦 −axis. The graphical representation of complex numbers is called an Argand diagram, named
after the Swiss mathematician Jean Argand(1768 − 1822).
 A.O.SANGOTOLA

4.3 Algebraic rules of complex numbers

Let the complex numbers 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 and 𝑧2 = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑
Equality of complex numbers
𝑧1 = 𝑧2 if and only if 𝑎 = 𝑐 and 𝑏 = 𝑑
Example.
If 2 − 5𝑖 = 2 + 𝑖𝑏, find 𝑏.
Solution
𝑏 = −5
Addition and subtraction of Complex numbers
𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (𝑎 + 𝑐) + 𝑖(𝑏 + 𝑑)
𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = (𝑎 − 𝑐) + 𝑖(𝑏 − 𝑑)
Multiplication of complex numbers
𝑧1 𝑧2 = (𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑) = (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + 𝑖(𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)
Complex conjugate
The complex conjugate of 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 is 𝑧̅ = 𝑎 − 𝑖𝑏
Quotient of complex number
𝑧1 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏
=
𝑧2 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑
It can be simplified further by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the complex
conjugate of the denominator

𝑧1 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 𝑐 − 𝑖𝑑 (𝑎𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑) + 𝑖(𝑏𝑐 − 𝑎𝑑)

= × =
𝑧2 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 𝑐 − 𝑖𝑑 𝑐 2 + 𝑑2
Modulus or Absolute value
The modulus of 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 is |𝑧| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 . Note that 𝑧𝑧̅ = |𝑧|2
 A.O.SANGOTOLA

4.4 De Movire’s theorem

An important theorem in complex numbers is named after the French mathematician Abraham
de Moivre (1667-1754).
If 𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃) and 𝑛 is appositive integer then
𝑧 𝑛 = [𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)]𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃)
Proof: Supply
Example
Evaluate (1 + 𝑖)8 using De Movire’s theorem,
Solution
𝜋 𝜋
𝑧 = 1 + 𝑖 in polar form is 𝑧 = √2 (cos 4 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 4 )

Applying De Movire’s theorem,

8 8𝜋 8𝜋
𝑧 8 = (√2) (cos + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 )
4 4
𝑧 8 = 16(1 + 0𝑖) = 16
Quiz
Evaluate (1 − 𝑖)20
6
√3 1
Evaluate ( 2 + 𝑖 2)

Application of De Movire’s theorem

4.4.1 Expansion of 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒏𝜽 and 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒏𝜽 in powers of 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 and 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 where 𝒏 is a positive
integer.
(cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃) = (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)𝑛 [De Movire’s theorem]
Expanding the right hand side of the above equation and equating the real and imaginary part
gives the required expansion.
Example
Use De Movire’s theorem to expand cos 3𝜃 and sin 3𝜃.
Solution
(cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃) = (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)𝑛
(cos 3𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃) = (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)3
(cos 3𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 + 3𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 sin 𝜃 − 3 cos 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 − 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃
 A.O.SANGOTOLA

(cos 3𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃) = (𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3 cos 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃) + 𝑖(3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 sin 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃)

Therefore,
cos 3𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3 cos 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3 cos 𝜃 (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)
= 4𝑐𝑜𝑠 3 𝜃 − 3 cos 𝜃
Likewise,
𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃 = 3𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 sin 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃
= 3(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃) sin 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃
= 3 sin 𝜃 − 4𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝜃
4.4.2 Roots of complex numbers
De Movire’s theorem can be used to find the nth root complex numbers.
1
An nth root complex number 𝑧 is a complex 𝑤 such that 𝑤 = 𝑧 𝑛
1
𝑤 = 𝑧𝑛
𝑤𝑛 = 𝑧
Let 𝑤 = 𝑠(cos ∅ + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 ∅)
𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)
𝑤 𝑛 = 𝑠 𝑛 (cos 𝑛∅ + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛∅)
Therefore,
𝑤 𝑛 = 𝑧, 𝑠 𝑛 (cos 𝑛∅ + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛∅) = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)
1
𝑠𝑛 = 𝑟 ⟹ 𝑠 = 𝑟𝑛
Similarly
cos 𝑛∅ = cos 𝜃
𝑛∅ = 𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘
𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘
∅=
𝑛
Thus
1
𝜃+2𝜋𝑘 𝜃+2𝜋𝑘
𝑤𝑘 = 𝑟 𝑛 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] for 𝑘 = 0,1, ⋯ 𝑛 − 1
𝑛 𝑛

Example
Find the cube root of 1
Solution
 A.O.SANGOTOLA

𝑧=1
𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 0.

𝑟 = |𝑧| = √12 + 02 = 1
0
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 = 0°
1
𝑛=3
1
𝜃+2𝜋𝑘 𝜃+2𝜋𝑘
𝑤𝑘 = 𝑟 𝑛 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] for 𝑘 = 0,1,2
𝑛 𝑛
1 0 + 2𝜋(0) 0 + 2𝜋(0)
𝑤0 = 13 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = 1
3 3
1 0 + 2𝜋(1) 0 + 2𝜋(1) 1 √3
𝑤1 = 13 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = (− + 𝑖 )
3 3 2 2
1 0 + 2𝜋(2) 0 + 2𝜋(2) 1 √3
𝑤2 = 13 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = (− − 𝑖 )
3 3 2 2