OpenStax-CNX module: m49408 1

Polar Form of Complex Numbers *

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Abstract
In this section, you will:

• Plot complex numbers in the complex plane.

• Find the absolute value of a complex number.

• Write complex numbers in polar form.

• Convert a complex number from polar to rectangular form.

• Find products of complex numbers in polar form.

• Find quotients of complex numbers in polar form.

• Find powers of complex numbers in polar form.

• Find roots of complex numbers in polar form.

God made the integers; all else is the work of man. This rather famous quote by nineteenth-century
German mathematician Leopold Kronecker sets the stage for this section on the polar form of a complex
number. Complex numbers were invented by people and represent over a thousand years of continuous
investigation and struggle by mathematicians such as Pythagoras, Descartes, De Moivre, Euler, Gauss,
and others. Complex numbers answered questions that for centuries had puzzled the greatest minds in
science.
We rst encountered complex numbers in Complex Numbers. In this section, we will focus on the
mechanics of working with complex numbers: translation of complex numbers from polar form to rectangular
form and vice versa, interpretation of complex numbers in the scheme of applications, and application of De
Moivre's Theorem.

1 Plotting Complex Numbers in the Complex Plane

Plotting a complex number a + bi is similar to plotting a real number, except that the horizontal axis
represents the real part of the number, a, and the vertical axis represents the imaginary part of the number, bi.

How To: Given a complex number a + bi, plot it in the complex plane.
1.Label the horizontal axis as the real axis and the vertical axis as the imaginary axis.
2.Plot the point in the complex plane by moving a units in the horizontal direction and b units
in the vertical direction.

Example 1
Plotting a Complex Number in the Complex Plane
Plot the complex number 2 − 3i in the complex plane.

* Version 1.8: Apr 16, 2018 1:16 pm -0500

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Solution
From the origin, move two units in the positive horizontal direction and three units in the negative
vertical direction. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Try It:

Exercise 2 (Solution on p. 18.)

Plot the point 1 + 5i in the complex plane.

2 Finding the Absolute Value of a Complex Number

The rst step toward working with a complex number in polar form is to nd the absolute value. The
absolute value of a complex number is the same as its magnitude, or |z|. It measures the distance from the
origin to a point in the plane. For example, the graph of z = 2 + 4i, in Figure 2, shows |z|.

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Figure 2

A General Note: Given z = x + yi, a complex number, the absolute value of z is dened as

p
|z| = x2 + y 2 (2)

It is the distance from the origin to the point (x, y) .

Notice that the absolute value of a real number gives the distance of the number from 0, while the
absolute value of a complex number gives the distance of the number from the origin, (0, 0) .

Example 2
Finding the Absolute Value
√ of a Complex Number with a Radical
Find the absolute value of z = 5 − i.
Solution
Using the formula, we have

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p
|z| = x2 + y 2
q √

2 2
|z| = 5 + (−1)
√ (2)
|z| = 5 + 1
√
|z| = 6
See Figure 3.

Figure 3

Try It:

Exercise 4 (Solution on p. 18.)

Find the absolute value of the complex number z = 12 − 5i.

Example 3
Finding the Absolute Value of a Complex Number
Given z = 3 − 4i, nd |z|.

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Solution
Using the formula, we have

p
|z| = x2 + y 2
q
2 2
|z| = (3) + (−4)
√
|z| = 9 + 16 (3)
√
|z| = 25
|z| = 5
The absolute value z is 5. See Figure 4.

Figure 4

Try It:

Exercise 6 (Solution on p. 18.)

Given z = 1 − 7i, nd |z|.

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3 Writing Complex Numbers in Polar Form

The polar form of a complex number expresses a number in terms of an angle θ and its distance from the
rectangular form expressed as z = x + yi, we use the same conversion
origin r. Given a complex number in
formulas as we do to write the number in trigonometric form:

x = rcos θ
y = rsin θ (4)
p
r = x2 + y 2
We review these relationships in Figure 5.

Figure 5

We use the term modulus to represent the absolute value of a complex number, or the distance from the
origin to the point (x, y) . The modulus, then, is the same as r, the radius in polar form. We use θ to indicate
the angle of direction (just as with polar coordinates). Substituting, we have

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z = x + yi
z = rcos θ + (rsin θ) i (5)

z = r (cos θ + isin θ)

a general note label: Writing a complex number in polar form involves the following conver-
sion formulas:

x = rcos θ
(5)
y = rsin θ
p
r = x2 + y 2
Making a direct substitution, we have

z = x + yi
z = (rcos θ) + i (rsin θ) (5)

z = r (cos θ + isin θ)
where r is the modulus and θ is the argument. We often use the abbreviation r cis θ to represent r (cos θ + isin θ) .
Example 4
Expressing a Complex Number Using Polar Coordinates
Express the complex number 4i using polar coordinates.

Solution
On the complex plane, the number z = 4i is the same as z = 0 + 4i. Writing it in polar form, we
have to calculate r rst.

p
r= x2 + y 2
√
r = 02 + 42
√ (5)
r = 16
r=4
π
Next, we look at x. If x = rcos θ, and x= 0,
then θ =


2 . In polar
coordinates, the complex
π π π
number z = 0 + 4i can as z = 4 cos + isin or 4cis
be written
2 2 2 . See Figure 6.

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Figure 6

Try It:

Exercise 8 (Solution on p. 18.)

Express z = 3i as r cis θ in polar form.

Example 5
Finding the Polar Form of a Complex Number
Find the polar form of − 4 + 4i.
Solution
First, nd the value of r.

p
r= x2 + y 2
q
2
r = (−4) + (42 )
√ (6)
r = 32
√
r=4 2
Find the angle θ using the formula:

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x
cos θ = r
−4
cos θ = √
4 2
(6)
cos θ = − √12
 
−1
θ = cos − √12 = 3π
4
√ 3π


Thus, the solution is 4 2cis .
4

Try It:

Exercise 10 (Solution on p. 18.)

√
Write z = 3 + i in polar form.

4 Converting a Complex Number from Polar to Rectangular Form

Converting a complex number from polar form to rectangular form is a matter of evaluating what is given and
using the distributive property. In other words, given z = r (cos θ + isin θ) , rst evaluate the trigonometric
functions cos θ and sin θ. Then, multiply through by r.

Example 6
Converting from Polar to Rectangular Form
Convert the polar form of the given complex number to rectangular form:

 π  π 
z = 12 cos + isin (6)
6 6
Solution
We begin by evaluating the trigonometric expressions.

π √
3 π 1
cos = and sin = (6)
6 2 6 2
After substitution, the complex number is

√ !
3 1
z = 12 + i (6)
2 2
We apply the distributive property:

√ 
3 1
z = 12 2 + 2i
√
3 1 (6)
= (12) 2 + (12) 2 i
√
= 6 3 + 6i
√
The rectangular form of the given point in complex form is 6 3 + 6i.

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Example 7
Finding the Rectangular Form of a Complex Number
5
Find the rectangular form of the complex number given r = 13 and tan θ = 12 .
Solution p
y
p
If tan θ = 5
12 , and tan θ = x , we rst determine r = x2 + y 2 = 122 + 52 = 13. We then
x y
nd cos θ =
r and sin θ = r .

z = 13 (cos θ + isin θ)
12 5


= 13 13 + 13 i (6)

= 12 + 5i
The rectangular form of the given number in complex form is 12 + 5i.

Try It:

Exercise 13 (Solution on p. 18.)

Convert the complex number to rectangular form:

 
11π 11π
z = 4 cos + isin (6)
6 6

5 Finding Products of Complex Numbers in Polar Form

Now that we can convert complex numbers to polar form we will learn how to perform operations on
complex numbers in polar form. For the rest of this section, we will work with formulas developed by
French mathematician Abraham de Moivre (1667-1754). These formulas have made working with products,
quotients, powers, and roots of complex numbers much simpler than they appear. The rules are based on
multiplying the moduli and adding the arguments.

A General Note: If z1 = r1 (cos θ1 + isin θ1 ) and z2 = r2 (cos θ2 + isin θ2 ) , then the product of
these numbers is given as:

z1 z2 = r1 r2 [cos (θ1 + θ2 ) + isin (θ1 + θ2 )] (6)

z1 z2 = r1 r2 cis (θ1 + θ2 )
Notice that the product calls for multiplying the moduli and adding the angles.

Example 8
Finding the Product of Two Complex Numbers in Polar Form
Find the product of z1 z2 , given z1 = 4 (cos (80 ◦ ) + isin (80 ◦ )) and z2 = 2 (cos (145 ◦ ) + isin (145 ◦ )) .
Solution
Follow the formula

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z1 z2 = 4 · 2 [cos (80 ◦ + 145 ◦ ) + isin (80 ◦ + 145 ◦ )]

z1 z2 = 8 [cos (225 ◦ ) + isin (225 ◦ )]
z1 z2 = 8 cos 5π + isin 5π



(6)
h √ 4  √ i4
z1 z2 = 8 − 22 + i − 22
√ √
z1 z2 = −4 2 − 4i 2

6 Finding Quotients of Complex Numbers in Polar Form

The quotient of two complex numbers in polar form is the quotient of the two moduli and the dierence of
the two arguments.

A General Note: If z1 = r1 (cos θ1 + isin θ1 ) and z2 = r2 (cos θ2 + isin θ2 ) , then the quotient of
these numbers is

z1 r1
z2 = r2 [cos (θ1 − θ2 ) + isin (θ1 − θ2 )] , z2 6= 0
(6)
z1 r1
z2 = r2 cis (θ1 − θ2 ) , z2 6= 0
Notice that the moduli are divided, and the angles are subtracted.

How To: Given two complex numbers in polar form, nd the quotient.
r1
1.Divide
r2 .
2.Find θ1 − θ2 .
3.Substitute the results into the formula: z = r (cos θ + isin θ) . Replace r with rr21 , and replace θ with θ1 −
θ2 .
4.Calculate the new trigonometric expressions and multiply through by r.

Example 9
Finding the Quotient of Two Complex Numbers
Find the quotient of z1 = 2 (cos (213 ◦ ) + isin (213 ◦ )) and z2 = 4 (cos (33 ◦ ) + isin (33 ◦ )) .
Solution
Using the formula, we have

z1
z2 = 2
4 [cos (213 ◦ − 33 ◦ ) + isin (213 ◦ − 33 ◦ )]
z1
z2 = 1
2 [cos (180 ◦ ) + isin (180 ◦ )]
z1 1 (6)
z2 = 2 [−1 + 0i]
z1
z2 = − 12 + 0i
z1
z2 = − 12

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Try It:

Exercise 16 (Solution on p. 18.)

√ ◦ ◦
Find the product and the quotient of z1 = 2 3 (cos (150 ) + isin (150 )) and z2 = 2 (cos (30 ◦ ) + isin (30 ◦ )) .

7 Finding Powers of Complex Numbers in Polar Form

Finding powers of complex numbers is greatly simplied using De Moivre's Theorem. It states that, for a
n
positive integer n, z is found by raising the modulus to the nth power and multiplying the argument by n. It
is the standard method used in modern mathematics.

A General Note: If z = r (cos θ + isin θ) is a complex number, then

z n = rn [cos (nθ) + isin (nθ)]

(6)
z n = rn cis (nθ)
where n is a positive integer.

Example 10
Evaluating an Expression Using De Moivre's Theorem
5
Evaluate the expression (1 + i) using De Moivre's Theorem.

Solution
Since De Moivre's Theorem applies to complex numbers written in polar form, we must rst
write (1 + i) in polar form. Let us nd r.

p
r= x2 + y 2
q
2 2 (6)
r = (1) + (1)
√
r= 2
y
Then we nd θ. Using the formula tan θ = x gives

1
tan θ = 1
tan θ = 1 (6)

π
θ= 4

Use De Moivre's Theorem to evaluate the expression.

n
(a + bi) = rn [cos (nθ) + isin (nθ)]
5 √
5 
2 cos 5 · π4 + isin 5 · π4



(1 + i) =
5 √ 
(1 + i) = 4 2 cos 5π isin 5π



4 +
(6)
4
5 √ h √  √ i
(1 + i) = 4 2 − 22 + i − 22
5
(1 + i) = −4 − 4i

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8 Finding Roots of Complex Numbers in Polar Form

nth root of a complex number in polar form, we use the nth Root Theorem or De Moivre's
To nd the
Theorem and raise the complex number to a power with a rational exponent. There are several ways to
represent a formula for nding nth roots of complex numbers in polar form.

A General Note label: To nd the nth root of a complex number in polar form, use the
formula given as

    
1 1 θ 2kπ θ 2kπ
z n = r n cos + + isin + (6)
n n n n
2kπ θ
where k = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . , n − 1. We add
n to n in order to obtain the periodic roots.

Example 11
Finding the nth Root of a Complex
Number


2π 2π
Evaluate the cube roots of z = 8 cos + isin .
3 3
Solution
We have

1 1
h  2π   2π i
z 3 = 8 3 cos 33 + 2kπ3 + isin 3
3 + 2kπ
3
(6)
1  2π 2kπ

2π 2kπ


z = 2 cos 9 + 3 + isin 9 + 3
3

There will be three roots: k = 0, 1, 2. When k = 0, we have

    
1 2π 2π
z 3 = 2 cos + isin (6)
9 9
When k = 1, we have

1  2π 6π

2π 6π

 2(1)π
z 3 = 2 cos 9 + 9 + isin 9 + 9 Add
3 to each angle.
(6)
1 8π

8π



z 3 = 2 cos 9 + isin 9

When k = 2, we have

1 2π 12π 2(2)π
+ isin 2π 12π



z 3 = 2 cos 9 + 9 9 + 9 Add
3 to each angle.
(6)
1 14π

14π



z 3 = 2 cos 9 + isin 9

Remember to nd the common denominator to simplify fractions in situations like this one. For k =
1, the angle simplication is

2π
2(1)π 2π 1

2(1)π 3


3
3
+ 3 = 3 3 + 3 3
2π 6π (6)
= 9 + 9
8π
= 9

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Try It:

Exercise 19 (Solution on p. 18.)

◦ ◦
Find the four fourth roots of 16 (cos (120 ) + isin (120 )) .

Media: Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with polar forms of
complex numbers.

1
• The Product and Quotient of Complex Numbers in Trigonometric Form
2
• De Moivre's Theorem

9 Key Concepts
• Complex numbers in the form a + bi are plotted in the complex plane similar to the way rectangular
coordinates are plotted in the rectangular plane. Label the x-axis as the real axis and the y-axis as
the imaginary axis. See Example 1.
• The absolute value of a complex number is the same as its magnitude.
√ It is the distance from the
origin to the point: |z| = a2 + b2 . See Example 2 and Example 3.
• To
p write complex numbers in polar form, we use the formulas x = rcos θ, y = rsin θ, and r =
x2 + y 2 . Then, z = r (cos θ + isin θ) . See Example 4 and Example 5.
• To convert from polar form to rectangular form, rst evaluate the trigonometric functions. Then,
multiply through by r. See Example 6 and Example 7.
• To nd the product of two complex numbers, multiply the two moduli and add the two angles. Evaluate
the trigonometric functions, and multiply using the distributive property. See Example 8.
• To nd the quotient of two complex numbers in polar form, nd the quotient of the two moduli and
the dierence of the two angles. See Example 9.
n
• To nd the power of a complex number z , raise r to the power n, and multiply θ by n. See Exam-
ple 10.
• Finding the roots of a complex number is the same as raising a complex number to a power, but using
a rational exponent. See Example 11.

10 Section Exercises
10.1 Verbal
Exercise 20 (Solution on p. 18.)
A complex number is a + bi. Explain each part.

Exercise 21
What does the absolute value of a complex number represent?

Exercise 22 (Solution on p. 18.)

How is a complex number converted to polar form?

Exercise 23
How do we nd the product of two complex numbers?

1 http://openstaxcollege.org/l/prodquocomplex
2 http://openstaxcollege.org/l/demoivre

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Exercise 24 (Solution on p. 19.)

What is De Moivre's Theorem and what is it used for?

10.2 Algebraic
For the following exercises, nd the absolute value of the given complex number.

Exercise 25
5 + 3i
Exercise 26 (Solution on p. 19.)
−7 + i
Exercise 27
−3 − 3i
Exercise
√ 28 (Solution on p. 19.)
2 − 6i
Exercise 29
2i
Exercise 30 (Solution on p. 19.)
2.2 − 3.1i
For the following exercises, write the complex number in polar form.

Exercise 31
2 + 2i
Exercise 32 (Solution on p. 19.)
8 − 4i
Exercise 33
− 21 − 12 i
Exercise
√ 34 (Solution on p. 19.)
3+i
Exercise 35
3i
For the following exercises, convert the complex number from polar to rectangular form.

Exercise 36
(Solution on p. 19.)

π
z = 7cis 6
Exercise 37

π
z = 2cis 3
Exercise 38
(Solution on p. 19.)
7π
z = 4cis 6
Exercise 39
z = 7cis (25 ◦ )
Exercise 40 (Solution on p. 19.)
z = 3cis (240 ◦ )
Exercise
√ 41
z= 2cis (100 ◦ )
For the following exercises, nd z1 z2 in polar form.

Exercise
√ 42 (Solution on p. 19.)
z1 = 2 3cis (116 ◦ ) ; z2 = 2cis (82 ◦ )

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Exercise
√ 43 √
z1 = 2cis (205 ◦ ) ; z2 = 2 2cis (118 ◦ )
Exercise 44 (Solution on p. 19.)
z1 = 3cis (120 ◦ ) ; z2 = 41 cis (60 ◦ )
Exercise 45

π π


z1 = 3cis 4 ; z2 = 5cis 6
Exercise
√ 46 √ (Solution on p. 19.)
5π π



z1 = 5cis 8 ; z2 = 15cis 12
Exercise 47

π π


z1 = 4cis 2 ; z2 = 2cis
4
z
For the following exercises, nd 1 in polar form.
z2
Exercise 48 (Solution on p. 19.)
z1 = 21cis (135 ◦ ) ; z2 = 3cis (65 ◦ )
Exercise
√ 49
z1 = 2cis (90 ◦ ) ; z2 = 2cis (60 ◦ )
Exercise 50 (Solution on p. 19.)
z1 = 15cis (120 ◦ ) ; z2 = 3cis (40 ◦ )
Exercise 51

π π


z1 = 6cis 3 ; z2 = 2cis 4
Exercise
√ 52 √ (Solution on p. 19.)
2π


z1 = 5 2cis (π) ; z2 = 2cis 3
Exercise 53
3π π



z1 = 2cis 5 ; z2 = 3cis 4
For the following exercises, nd the powers of each complex number in polar form.

Exercise 54 (Solution on p. 19.)

3
Find z when z = 5cis (45 ◦ ) .
Exercise 55
4
Find z when z = 2cis (70 ◦ ) .
Exercise 56 (Solution on p. 19.)
2
Find z when z = 3cis (120 ◦ ) .
Exercise 57
π
2


Find z when z = 4cis .
4
Exercise 58 (Solution on p. 19.)
3π
4


Find z when z = cis .
16
Exercise 59
5π
3


Find z when z = 3cis .
3
For the following exercises, evaluate each root.

Exercise 60 (Solution on p. 19.)

Evaluate the cube root of z when z = 27cis (240 ◦ ) .
Exercise 61
Evaluate the square root of z when z = 16cis (100 ◦ ) .
Exercise 62 (Solution on p. 19.)
2π


Evaluate the cube root of z when z = 32cis .
3
Exercise 63
Evaluate the square root of z when z = 32cis (π) .

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Exercise 64 (Solution on p. 19.)

7π


Evaluate the cube root of z when z = 8cis .
4

10.3 Graphical
For the following exercises, plot the complex number in the complex plane.

Exercise 65
2 + 4i
Exercise 66 (Solution on p. 19.)
−3 − 3i
Exercise 67
5 − 4i
Exercise 68 (Solution on p. 20.)
−1 − 5i
Exercise 69
3 + 2i
Exercise 70 (Solution on p. 21.)
2i
Exercise 71
−4
Exercise 72 (Solution on p. 22.)
6 − 2i
Exercise 73
−2 + i
Exercise 74 (Solution on p. 23.)
1 − 4i

10.4 Technology
For the following exercises, nd all answers rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Exercise 75
Use the rectangular to polar feature on the graphing calculator to change 5 + 5i to polar form.

Exercise 76 (Solution on p. 24.)

Use the rectangular to polar feature on the graphing calculator to change 3 − 2i to polar form.

Exercise 77
Use the rectangular to polar feature on the graphing calculator to change −3 − 8i to polar form.

Exercise 78 (Solution on p. 24.)

◦
Use the polar to rectangular feature on the graphing calculator to change 4cis (120 ) to rectangular
form.

Exercise 79
◦
Use the polar to rectangular feature on the graphing calculator to change 2cis (45 ) to rectangular
form.

Exercise 80 (Solution on p. 24.)

◦
Use the polar to rectangular feature on the graphing calculator to change 5cis (210 ) to rectangular
form.

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Solutions to Exercises in this Module

Solution to Exercise (p. 2)

Solution to Exercise (p. 4)

13
Solution
√ to Exercise
√ (p. 5)
|z| = 50 = 5 2
Solution to Exercise (p.


8)
π π


z = 3 cos 2 + isin 2
Solution to Exercise (p.


9)
π π


z = 2 cos 6 + isin 6
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 10)
z = 2 3 − 2i
Solution to√ Exercise√(p. 12)
z1 z2 = −4 3; zz12 = − 2
3
+ 32 i
Solution to Exercise (p. 14)
z0 = 2 (cos (30 ◦ ) + isin (30 ◦ ))
z1 = 2 (cos (120 ◦ ) + isin (120 ◦ ))
z2 = 2 (cos (210 ◦ ) + isin (210 ◦ ))
z3 = 2 (cos (300 ◦ ) + isin (300 ◦ ))
Solution to Exercise (p. 14) √
a is the real part, b is the imaginary part, and i = −1

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Solution to Exercise (p. 14)

Polar form converts the real and imaginary part of the complex number in polar form using x = rcosθ and
y = rsinθ.
Solution to Exercise (p. 15)
z n = rn (cos (nθ) + isin (nθ)) It is used to simplify polar form when a number has been raised to a power.
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 15)
5 2
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 15)
38
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 15)
14.45
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 15)
4 5cis (333.4 ◦ )
Solution

to Exercise (p. 15)
π
2cis 6
Solution
√
to Exercise (p. 15)
7 3
2 + i 72
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 15)
−2 3 − 2i
Solution √to Exercise (p. 15)
−1.5 − i 3 2 3
Solution
√ to Exercise (p. 15)
4 3cis (198 ◦ )
Solution to Exercise (p. 16)
3 ◦
4 cis (180 )
Solution
√ to
Exercise (p. 16)
17π
5 3cis 24
Solution to Exercise (p. 16)
7cis (70 ◦ )
Solution to Exercise (p. 16)
5cis (80 ◦ )
Solution

to Exercise (p. 16)
π
5cis 3
Solution to Exercise (p. 16)
125cis (135 ◦ )
Solution to Exercise (p. 16)
9cis (240 ◦ )
Solution

to Exercise (p. 16)
3π
cis 4
Solution to Exercise (p. 16)
3cis (80 ◦ ) , 3cis (200 ◦ ) , 3cis (320 ◦ )
Solution
√ to
Exercise
√ (p.
16)
√
2π 8π 14π


2 3 4cis 9 , 2 3 4cis 9 , 2 3 4cis 9
Solution
√ to
Exercise
√ (p.
16)
7π 15π
2 2cis 8 , 2 2cis 8

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Solution to Exercise (p. 17)

Solu-

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tion to Exercise (p. 17)

Solu-

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tion to Exercise (p. 17)

Solu-

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tion to Exercise (p. 17)

Solu-

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tion to Exercise (p. 17)

Solu-
tion to Exercise (p. 17)
3.61e−0.59i
Solution to Exercise (p. 17)
− 2 + 3.46i
Solution to Exercise (p. 17)
− 4.33 − 2.50i

Glossary
Denition 6: argument
the angle associated with a complex number; the angle between the line from the origin to the point
and the positive real axis

Denition 6: De Moivre's Theorem

formula used to nd the nth power or nth roots of a complex number; states that, for a positive
n
integer n, z is found by raising the modulus to the nth power and multiplying the angles by n

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Denition 6: modulus
the absolute value of a complex number, or the distance from the origin to the point (x, y) ; also
called the amplitude

Denition 6: polar form of a complex number

a complex number expressed in terms of an angle θ and its distance
p from the origin r; can be found
by using conversion formulas x = rcos θ, y = rsin θ, and r = x2 + y 2

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