Complex Numbers 29

Chapter

CONTENTS
2.1 Introduction
 Basic concepts of complex numbers
 Integral powers of iota (i)
2.2 Real & Imaginary parts of a complex number
2.3 Algebraic operation with complex numbers
2.4 Equality of two complex number
2.5 Conjugate of a complex number
 Conjugate complex number
 Properties of conjugate
 Reciprocal of complex number
2.6 Modulus of complex number
2.7 Argument of a complex number
 Principal value of arg (z)
Leonhard Euler

 Properties of argument The fact that square root of a negative number

2.8 Square root of a complex number does not exist in the real number system was
2.9 Representation of complex number recognized by the Greeks. But the credit goes to
2.10 Logarithm of a complex number the Indian mathematician Mahavira (850 A.D.)
2.11 Geometry of a complex number Who first stated this difficulty clearly “He
2.12 Use of complex numbers in co-ordinate mentions in his work “Ganitasara Sangraha” as
geometry in the nature of things a negative (quantity) is
not a square (quantity), it has, therefore no
2.13 Rotation theorem
square root”. Bhaskara, another Indian
2.14 Triangle inequalities mathematician, also writes in this work
2.15 Standard loci in the argand plane ‘Bijaganita’ written in 1150 A.D.
2.16 De’ moivre's theorem
2.17 Roots of complex number
Euler was the first to introduce the symbol i for
–1 and W.R. Hamilton (about 1830 A.D.)
2.18 Shifting the origin in case of complex
numbers regarded the complex number a + ib as an
ordered pair of real numbers (a, b), thus giving
2.19 Inverse points it a purely mathematical definition and avoiding
2.20 Dot and cross product use of the so called “Imaginary numbers”.
Assignment (Basic and Advance Level)
Answer Sheet of Assignment
 30 Complex Numbers

2.1 Introduction.
1
Number system consists of real numbers (5, 7, , 3 .......... ....etc.) and imaginary numbers
3
(  5 ,  9 ....etc.) If we combine these two numbers by some mathematical operations, the
resulting number is known as Complex Number i.e., “Complex Number is the combination of real
and imaginary numbers”.
(1) Basic concepts of complex number
(i) General definition : A number of the form x  iy, where x , y  R and i   1 is called a
complex number so the quantity  1 is denoted by 'i' called iota thus i   1 .
A complex number is usually denoted by z and the set of complex number is denoted by c
i.e., c  {x  i y : x  R, y  R, i   1}
For example, 5  3 i,  1  i, 0  4 i, 4  0 i etc. are complex numbers.

Note :  Euler was the first mathematician to introduce the symbol i (iota) for the square
root of – 1 with property i 2  1. He also called this symbol as the imaginary unit.
 Iota (i) is neither 0, nor greater than 0, nor less than 0.
 The square root of a negative real number is called an imaginary unit.
 For any positive real number a, we have  a  1a  1 a  i a
 i  a   a.
 The property a b  ab is valid only if at least one of a and b is non-negative. If
a and b are both negative then a b   ab .
 If a  0 then a  | a| i .

(2) Integral powers of iota (i) : Since i   1 hence we have i2  1 , i3  i and i 4  1 . To find
the value of i n (n  4 ), first divide n by 4. Let q be the quotient and r be the remainder.
i.e., n  4 q  r where 0  r  3
i n  i 4 q r  (i 4 )q . (i)r  (1)q . (i)r  i r
In general we have the following results i 4 n  1, i 4 n 1  i, i 4 n  2  1, i 4 n  3  i , where n is any
integer.
In other words, i n  (1)n / 2 if n is even integer and i n  (1)n 1 / 2 i if n is odd integer.
The value of the negative integral powers of i are found as given below :
 Complex Numbers 31

1 i3 1 1 1 i i 1 1
i 1   4  i 3  i, i 2  2   1, i 3  3  4   i, i 4  4   1
i i i 1 i i 1 i 1
Important Tips
 The sum of four consecutive powers of i is always zero i.e., in  in 1  in  2  in  3  0, n  I.

 i n  1, i,  1,  i, where n is any integer.

 (1  i) 2  2i, (1  i) 2  2i

1i 1i 2i
  i,  i, 1i
1i 1i i1

200
Example: 1 If i 2  1, then the value of i
n 1
n
is [MP PET 1996]

(a) 50 (b) – 50 (c) 0 (d) 100

200
i (1  i ) i (1  1)
i
200
Solution: (c) n
 i  i2  i3  .....  i200  (since G.P.)   0.
n 1
1i 1i

Example: 2 If i   1 and n is a positive integer, than in  in 1  in  2  in  3  [Rajasthan PET 2001; Karnataka CET 1994]
n
(a) 1 (b) i (c) i (d) 0
n 1 n 2 n3
Solution: (d) i i
n
i i  i (1  i  i  i )  i (1  i  1  i)  o.
n 2 3 n

Trick: Since the sum of four consecutive powers of i is always zero.

 in  in 1  in  2  in  3  0, n  I.
x
1  i
Example: 3 If    1 then [AIEEE 2003; Rajasthan PET 2003]
1  i
(a) x = 4n, where n is any positive integer (b) x = 2n, where n is any positive integer
(c) x = 4n +1, where n is any positive integer (d) x = 2n +1, where n is any positive integer
x
1i 1i 1i 1i 
Solution: (a)  .     1  i  1  x  4 n, n  I .
x
1i 1i 1i  1  i 
Example: 4 1  i2  i4  i6  .....  i2 n is [EAMCET 1980]
(a) Positive (b) Negative (c) Zero (d) Can not be determined
n
Solution: (d) 1  i2  i4  i6  .....  i2 n  i
k 0
2k
 1 or – 1 (which is depend upon the value of n).

Example: 5 If x  3  i, then x 3  3 x 2  8 x  15  [UPSEAT 2003]

(a) 6 (b) 10 (c) – 18 (d) – 15

Solution: (d) Given that; x  3  i  (x  3)  i  x  6 x  10  0
2 2 2

Now, x 3  3 x 2  8 x  15  x (x 2  6 x  10 )  3(x 2  6 x  10 )  15  0  0  15  15 .

2n (1  i)2 n
Example: 6 The complex number  , (n  Z ) is equal to
(1  i)2n
2n

(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) [1  (1)n ].in (d) None of these

Solution: (d) (1  i)2n  ((1  i)2 )n  (1  i2  2i)n  (1  1  2i)n  2n in

(1  i)2n  ((1  i)2 )n  (1  i2  2i)n  (1  1  2i)n  (2)n in

 32 Complex Numbers

2n (1  i)2 n 2n 2n in 1 1  (1)n i2 n 1  (1)n (i2 )n

    n   in  
(1  i)2 n
2 n
(2) i
n n
2 (1) i
n n
(1)n in (1)n in

1  (1)n (1)n 1  (1)2 n 1 1 2

    .
(1)n in (1)n in (1)n in (1)n in

2.2 Real and Imaginary Parts of a Complex Number.

If x and y are two real numbers, then a number of the form z  x  iy is called a complex
number. Here ‘x’ is called the real part of z and ‘y’ is known as the imaginary part of z. The real
part of z is denoted by Re(z) and the imaginary part by Im(z).
If z = 3 – 4i, then Re(z) = 3 and Im(z) = – 4.
Note :  A complex number z is purely real if its imaginary part is zero i.e., Im(z) = 0 and
purely imaginary if its real part is zero i.e., Re(z) = 0.
 i can be denoted by the ordered pair (0,1).
 The complex number (a, b) can also be split as (a, 0) + (0, 1) (b, 0).

Important Tips
 A complex number is an imaginary number if and only if its imaginary part is non-zero. Here real part may or
may not be zero.
 All purely imaginary numbers except zero are imaginary numbers but an imaginary number may or not be purely
imaginary.
 A real number can be written as a + i.0, therefore every real number can be considered as a complex number
whose imaginary part is zero. Thus the set of real number (R) is a proper subset of the complex number (C) i.e., R
 C.
 Complex number as an ordered pair : A complex number may also be defined as an ordered pair of real numbers
and may be denoted by the symbol (a,b). For a complex number to be uniquely specified, we need two real
numbers in particular order.

2.3 Algebraic Operations with Complex Numbers.

Let two complex numbers z 1  a  ib and z 2  c  id
Addition : (a  ib)  (c  id)  (a  c)  i(b  d )
Subtraction : (a  ib)  (c  id)  (a  c)  i(b  d )
Multiplication : (a  ib)(c  id)  (ac  bd )  i(ad  bc)
a  ib
Division : (when at least one of c and d is
c  id
non-zero)
a  ib (a  ib) (c  id)
 . (Rationalization)
c  id (c  id) (c  id)
a  ib (ac  bd ) i(bc  ad)
 2  2 .
c  id c d2 c d2
 Complex Numbers 33

Properties of algebraic operations with complex numbers : Let z 1 , z 2 and z 3 are any
complex numbers then their algebraic operation satisfy following operations:
(i) Addition of complex numbers satisfies the commutative and associative properties
i.e., z 1  z 2  z 2  z 1 and (z 1  z 2 )  z 3  z 1  (z 2  z 3 ).
(ii) Multiplication of complex number satisfies the commutative and associative properties.
i.e., z 1 z 2  z 2 z 1 and (z 1 z 2 )z 3  z 1 (z 2 z 3 ).
(iii) Multiplication of complex numbers is distributive over addition
i.e., z 1 (z 2  z 3 )  z 1 z 2  z 1 z 3 and (z 2  z 3 )z 1  z 2 z 1  z 3 z 1 .

Note : 0  0  0 i is the identity element for addition.

 1  1  0 i is the identity element for multiplication.

 The additive inverse of a complex number z  a  ib is  z (i.e. – a – ib).
1
 For every non-zero complex number z, the multiplicative inverse of z is .
z

1  2i 4  i
Example: 7   [Rajasthan PET 1987]
2  i 3  2i
24 10 24 10 10 24 10 24
(a)  i (b)  i (c)  i (d)  i
13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
1  2i 4  i (1  2i)(3  2i)  (4  i)(2  i) 50  120 i 10 24
Solution: (d)       i.
2  i 3  2i (2  i)(3  2i) 65 13 13

 1 3   3  4i 
Example: 8     [Roorkee 1979; Rajasthan PET 1999]
 1  2i 1  i   2  4 i 

1 9 1 9 1 9 1 9
(a)  i (b)  i (c)  i (d)  i
2 2 2 2 4 4 4 4

 1 3   3  4i   1  2i 3  3 i   6  16  12 i  8 i   2  4 i  15  15 i   1  2i 
Solution: (d)      2  2    
 1  2i 1  i   2  4 i  1  2
2
1  1 2   22  4 2   10  2 

(17  11i)(1  2i) 5  45 i 1 9

    i.
20 20 4 4
1  i cos 
Example: 9 The real value of  for which the expression is a real number, is
1  2i cos 
(a) n   / 2 (b) n   / 2 (c) n   / 2 (d) None of these

1  i cos  (1  i cos  )(1  2i cos  )  (1  2 cos 2  )   3 cos  

Solution: (c) Given that    i 
1  2i cos  (1  2i cos  )(1  2i cos  )  (1  4 cos  )   1  4 cos  
2 2

Since Im (z)  0 , then 3 cos   0    n   / 2.

2.4 Equality of Two Complex Numbers.

Two complex numbers z 1  x 1  iy1 and z 2  x 2  iy 2 are said to be equal if and only if their
real parts and imaginary parts are separately equal.
 34 Complex Numbers

i.e., z 1  z 2  x 1  iy1  x 2  iy 2  x 1  x 2 and y 1  y 2 .

Thus , one complex equation is equivalent to two real equations.

Note : A complex number z  x  iy  0 iff x  0, y  0 .

 The complex number do not possess the property of order i.e., (a  ib)  (or)  (c  id) is
not defined. For example, the statement 9  6 i  3  2i makes no sense.
Example: 10 Which of the following is correct
(a) 6  i  8  i (b) 6  i  4  i (c) 6  i  4  2i (d) None of these
Solution: (d) Because, inequality is not applicable for a complex number.
6 i  3i 1
Example: 11 If 4 3 i  1  x  i y , then [MP PET 2000; IIT 1998]
20 3 i

(a) x = 3, y=1 (b) x =1, y=3 (c) x = 0, y=3 (d) x = 0, y=0

6i  3i 1
Solution: (d) 4 3 i  1 Applying C2  C 2  3 i C 3
20 3 i

6i 0 1
4 0  1 = 0 = 0+ 0 i, Equating real and imaginary parts x = 0, y = 0
20 0 i

Example: 12 The real values of x and y for which the equation (x 4  2 xi)  (3 x 2  yi)  (3  5i)  (1  2yi) is satisfied, are [Roorkee
1
(a) x  2, y  3 (b) x  2, y  (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
3
Solution: (c) Given equation (x 4  2 xi)  (3 x 2  yi)  (3  5i)  (1  2yi)  (x 4  3 x 2 )  i(2 x  3 y)  4  5i
Equating real and imaginary parts, we get
x4  3x2  4 .....(i) and 2 x  3 y  5 .....(ii)
1
Form (i) and (ii), we get x   2 and y  3, .
3
1
Trick: Put x  2, y  3 and then x  2, y  , we see that they both satisfy the given equation.
3

2.5 Conjugate of a Complex Number.

(1) Conjugate complex number : If there exists a complex number z = a  i b, (a , b)  R, then its
conjugate is defined as z  a  i b . Y
zz zz
Imaginary

Hence, we have Re(z )  and Im (z )  . Geometrically, the

2 2i P(z
axis

 )
conjugate of z is the reflection or point image of z in the real axis. O – Real X
axis
(2) Properties of conjugate : If z , z1 and z 2 are existing complex Q (z )
numbers, then we have the following results:
(i) (z )  z (ii) z1  z 2  z1  z 2

(iii) z1  z 2  z1  z 2 (iv) z1 z 2  z1 z 2 , In general z1 .z 2 .z 3 ..... z n  z1 .z 2 .z 3 ..... z n

 Complex Numbers 35

z  z1
(v)  1   , z 2  0 (vi) (z )n  (z n )
 z2  z2
(vii) z  z  2 Re( z )  2 Re( z )  purely real (viii) z  z  2i Im(z )  purely imaginary
(ix) z z  purely real (x) z1 z 2  z1 z 2  2 Re( z1 z 2 )  2 Re( z1 z 2 )
(xi) z  z  0 i.e., z  z  z is purely real i.e., Im(z )  0
(xii) z  z  0 i.e., z  z  either z  0 or z is purely imaginary i.e., Re(z )  0
(xiii) z 1  z 2  z 1  z 2 (xiv) z  0  z  0
(xv) zz  0  z  0 (xvi) If w  f (z ) then w  f (z ) (xvii)
rei  re i
Important Tips
 Complex conjugate is obtained by just changing the sign of i.
 Conjugate of i  i
 Conjugate of iz  iz
 (z 1  z 2 ) and (z 1 . z 2 ) real  z 1  z 2 or z 2  z 1

 z1 z 2  z1 z 2

(3) Reciprocal of a complex number : For an existing non-zero complex number z  a  ib , the
1 z 1 a  ib Re(z ) i[ Im(z )] z
reciprocal is given by z 1   i.e., z 1   2   = .
z | z| 2
a  ib a b 2
| z| 2
| z| 2
| z|2

Example: 13 If the conjugate of (x  i y) (1  2 i) be 1+i, then [MP PET 1996]

1 3 1i 1i
(a) x  (b) y  (c) x  i y  (d) x  i y 
5 5 1  2i 1  2i
1i 1i
Solution: (c) Given that (x  i y) (1  2 i)  1  i  x  i y   x iy 
1 2i 1  2i
Example: 14 For the complex number z, one from z  z and z z is
(a) A real number (b) An imaginary number
(c) Both are real numbers (d) Both are imaginary numbers
Solution: (c) Here z  z  (x  i y)  (x  i y)  2 x (Real) and zz  (x  i y )(x  iy)  x 2  y 2 (Real).
Example: 15 The complex numbers sin x  i cos 2 x and cos x  i sin 2 x are conjugate to each other for [IIT 1988]

 1
(a) x  n  (b) x   n    (c) x  0 (d) No value of x
 2
Solution: (d) sin x  i cos 2 x and cos x  i sin 2 x are conjugate to each other if sin x  cos x and cos 2 x  sin 2 x
 5 9  5 9  5 9
or tan x  1  x , , ,........ (i) and tan 2 x  1  2 x  , , ,........ or x  , , ,....... (ii) There
4 4 4 4 4 4 8 8 8
exists no value of x common in (i) and (ii). Therefore there is no value of x for which the given
complex numbers are conjugate.
2  3i
Example: 16 The conjugate of complex number is [MP PET 2004]
4 i
3i 11  10 i 11  10 i 2  3i
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 17 17 4i
 36 Complex Numbers

2  3i (2  3i)(4  i) 8  3  12 i  2i 11  10 i 11  10 i
Solution: (b)     Conjugate  .
4 i (4  i)(4  i) 16  1 17 17
Example: 17 The real part of (1  cos   2i sin  )1 is [Karnataka CET 2001; IIT 1978, 86]
1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3  5 cos  5  3 cos  3  5 cos  5  3 cos 
1 1 1
Solution: (c) (1  cos  )  i. 2 sin  1  2 sin 2   i . 4 sin

cos


 
=  2 sin 
  
sin  i. 2 cos 
 2 2 2  2  2 2
   
1 sin  i.2 cos sin  i.2 cos
  1 2 2  2 2
  2 sin  . 
 2  sin   i.2 cos  sin   i.2 cos    2 
2 sin  sin  4 cos 2 
2 2 2 2 2 2 2

sin
2 1 1
Hence, real part    .
     5  3 cos 
2 sin  1  3 cos 2  2 1  3 cos 2 
2 2  2

Example: 18 The reciprocal of 3  7 i is

3 7 3 7
(a)  i (b) 3  7 i (c)  i (d) 7  3i
4 4 16 16

1 1 3  7i 3  7i 3  7i 3 7
Solution: (c)  .     i.
3  7i 3  7i 3  7i 9 7 16 16 16

2.6 Modulus of a Complex Number.

Modulus of a complex number z  a  ib is defined by a positive real number given by
| z |  a2  b 2 , where a, b real numbers. Geometrically |z| represents the distance of point P
(represented by z) from the origin,
i.e. |z| = OP. Y
If |z| = 0, then z is known as zero modular complex P(z)

number and is used to represent the origin of reference plane.

If |z| = 1 the corresponding complex number is known as M
unimodular complex number. Clearly z lies on a circle of unit O X

radius having centre (0, 0).

Note :  In the set C of all complex numbers, the order relation is not defined. As such
z 1  z 2  or z 1  z 2 has no meaning. But | z 1 | | z 2 | or | z1 | | z 2 | has got its meaning
since | z1 | and | z 2 | are real numbers.
Properties of modulus
(i) z  0  z  0 iff z  0 and |z| 0 iff z  0 .

(ii)  z  Re (z )  z and  z  Im (z )  z

(iii) z  z   z   z | zi |
 Complex Numbers 37

2
(iv) z z  z | z | 2

(v) z 1 z 2  z 1 z 2 . In general z 1 z 2 z 3 ...... z n  z 1 z2 z 3 .... z n

z1 z1
(vi)  , (z 2  0)
z2 z2

(vii) | z n | | z | n , n  N
2 2
(viii) z 1  z 2 2
 (z 1  z 2 )(z 1  z 2 )  z 1  z2  (z 1 z 2  z 1 z 2 ) or | z1 | 2  | z 2 | 2  2 Re( z1 z 2 )

z1 z 
is purely imaginary or Re 1   0
2 2 2
(ix) z 1  z 2  z1  z2 
z2  z2 

(x) z 1  z 2
2
 z1  z 2
2
 2 z1  2
 z2
2
 (Law of parallelogram)

(xi) az1  bz 2
2
 bz 1  az 2
2
 (a2  b 2 ) z 1
2
 z2
2
 , where a, b  R.
Important Tips
 Modulus of every complex number is a non-negative real number.  | z |  0 iff z  0 i.e., Re( z )  Im(z )  0
1
 | z | | Re(z)|  Re(z) and | z | | Im(z)|  Im(z)  | z|  1 z 
z
z z
 1  is always a unimodular complex number if z  0
z | z|
z
 is always a unimodular complex number if z  0  | Re( z)|  | Im(z)|  2 | z |
z
 || z 1 |  | z 2 || | z 1  z 2 | | z 1 |  | z 2 |
Thus | z 1 |  | z 2 | is the greatest possible value of | z 1  z 2 | and || z 1 |  | z 2 || is the least possible value of | z 1  z 2 |

1 a  a2  4  a  a2  4
 If z   a, the greatest and least values of | z | are respectively and
z 2 2

 | z 1  z 12  z 22 |  | z 1  z 12  z 22 | | z 1  z 2 |  | z 1  z 2 |

(2  i)
Example: 19 (1  i)  [MP PET 1995, 99; Rajasthan PET
(3  i)
1998]
(a) – 1/2 (b) 1/2 (c) 1 (d) – 1
(1  i)(2  i) 1  3i 3  i 3  4 i
Solution (c) z     | z|  1
(3  i) 3 i 3 i 5
| z1 | | z 2 | 2. 5
Trick : | z|   1
| z3| 10
 
Example: 20 If  and  are different complex numbers with |  |  1, then is equal to
1  
(a) 0 (b) 1/2 (c) 1 (d) 2
      1   1
Solution (c)   ,   1 {| z| | z| }
1        (   ) |  | (   ) |  |
 38 Complex Numbers
Example: 21 For any complex number z, maximum value of | z| | z  1| is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 3/2 (d) None of these
Solution (b) We know that | z 1  z 2 | | z 1 | | z 2 |
| z| | z  1| | z  (z  1)| or | z| | z  1|  1 ,  Maximum value of | z| | z  1| is 1.
Example 22 If z  x  iy and iz 2  z  0 , then | z | is equal to [Bihar CEE 1998]
(a) 1 (b) 0 or 1 (c) 1 or 2 (d) 2
Solution: (b) iz  z | iz | | z | | z| | z| | z| (| z |  1)  0  | z|  0 or | z | = 1
2 2 2

1
Example: 23 For x1, x 2 , y1, y2  R, if 0  x 1  x 2 , y 1  y 2 and z 1  x 1  iy1 , z 2  x 2  iy 2 , and z 3  (z 1  z 2 ), then z 1 , z 2 and
2
z 3 satisfy [Roorkee 1991]

(a) | z 1 | | z 2 | | z 3 | (b) | z 1 | | z 2 | | z 3 | (c) | z 1 | | z 2 | | z 3 | (d) | z 1 | | z 3 | | z 2 |

Solution: (d) 0  x 1  x 2 , y 1  y 2 (Given)
2 2
| z1  z 2 |  x  x2   y  y2 
| z 1 |  x 12  y 12 , | z 2 |  x 22  y 22 | z 2 | | z 1 | | z 3 |    1    1 
2  2   2 
2
 x1  x 2 
   y12 | z 2 | | z1 | . Hence, | z 1 | | z 3 | | z 2 |
 2 

2.7 Argument of a Complex Number.

Let z  a  ib be any complex number. If this complex number is represented geometrically
by a point P, then the angle made by the line OP with real axis is
Y (+,+)
–
known as argument or amplitude of z and is expressed as (–,+)
P(z)
-
b  
arg (z )    tan 1  ,   POM . Also, argument of a complex X'  – M
X
a
(–, – O
number is not unique, since if  be a value of the argument, so also is –) +
(+,–)
–
Y'
2n   , where n I .
(1) Principal value of arg (z) : The value  of the argument, which satisfies the inequality
      is called the principal value of argument. Principal values of argument z will be
 ,   ,     and   according as the point z lies in the 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th quadrants
b
respectively, where   tan 1
Y
  (acute angle). Principal value of
a – 
(– (+,+)
argument of any complex number lies between       . X' X
,+) O (+,–)
(–,–)
b
(i) a, b  First quadrant a  0, b  0 . arg (z )    tan 1   . It is – ( – –
a )
Y'
an acute angle and positive. Y
(a,
b)
b

X' X
O a

Y'
 Complex Numbers 39

 b 
(ii) (a, b ) Second quadrant, a  0, b  0, arg (z )      tan 1   . It is an obtuse angle and
| a | 
positive. (a, b) y

b 
x' x
a O

y'

b 
(iii) (a, b)  Third quadrant a  0, b  0, arg (z )      tan 1   . It is an obtuse angle and
a
negative.
y

a O
x' x
b 

(a, b)
y'
 Complex Numbers 39
39
| b | 
(iv) (a, b ) Fourth quadrant a  0, b  0, arg (z )     tan  1
 . It is an acute angle and
 a 
negative.

O a
x' x

b

y' (a, b)

Quadrant x y arg(z) Interval of 

I + +  0    / 2
II – +    / 2   
III – – (   )       / 2
IV + –    / 2   0

Note :  Argument of the complex number 0 is not defined.

 Principal value of argument of a purely real number is 0 if the real number is
positive and is  if the real number is negative.
 Principal value of argument of a purely imaginary number is  / 2 if the
imaginary part is positive and is   / 2 if the imaginary part is negative.
(2) Properties of arguments
(i) arg (z1 z 2 )  arg (z1 )  arg (z 2 )  2k  , (k  0 or 1 or – 1)
In general arg (z 1 z 2 z 3 ......... z n )  arg(z 1 )  arg (z 2 )  arg (z 3 )  ..........  arg (z n )  2k  , (k  0 or 1 or  1)

z 
(ii) arg (z 1 z 2 )  arg (z 1 )  arg (z 2 ) (iii) arg 1   arg z 1  arg z 2  2k  , (k  0 or 1
 z2 
or – 1)
z
(iv) arg   2arg z  2k  , (k  0 or 1 or – 1) (v) arg(z n )  n arg z  2k  , (k  0 or 1 or – 1)
z
z  z 
(vi) If arg  2    , then arg  1   2k    , where k  I
 z1   z2 
1
(vii) arg z  arg z  arg (viii) arg (z  z )   / 2
z
(ix) arg ( z )  arg (z )   (x) arg (z )  arg (z )  0 or arg (z )  arg (z )
(xi) arg (z )  arg (z )  
40 Complex Numbers

(xii) z 1 z 2  z 1 z 2  2 | z 1 | | z 2 | cos ( 1   2 ), where  1  arg (z 1 ) and  2  arg(z 2 )

Note :  Proper value of k must be chosen so that R.H.S. of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) lies in
( ,  )
 The property of argument is same as the property of logarithm.
If arg (z) lies between   and  ( inclusive), then this value itself is the principal
value of arg (z). If not, see whether arg (z)   or    . If arg(z )   , go on
subtracting 2 until it lies between   and  ( inclusive). The value thus
obtained will be the principal value of arg (z).
 The general value of a rg (z ) is 2n   arg (z ) .

Important Tips
 If z1  z 2  z1  z 2 and arg z 1 = arg z2.
 z1  z 2  z1 |  | z 2  arg (z1 )  arg (z 2 ) i.e., z1 and z2 are parallel.
 z1  z 2  z1 |  | z 2  arg (z1 )  arg (z 2 )  2n , where n is some integer.
 | z1  z 2 |  | | z1 |  | z 2 ||  arg(z1 )  arg(z 2 )  2n , where n is some integer.
 z 1  z 2  z 1  z 2  arg (z 1 ) – arg (z 2 )   / 2 .

 If | z 1 | 1,| z 2 | 1 then (i) z1  z 2

2
  z1  z 2 2  (arg (z1 )  arg (z 2 ))2 (ii) z1  z 2
2
  z1  z 2 2 
arg (z1 )  arg (z 2 )2
2 2 2
 z1  z 2  z1  z 2  2| z1 | | z 2 | cos(1   2 ).
2 2 2
 z1  z 2  z1  z 2  2| z1 | | z 2 | cos(1   2 ).
 If | z 1 | | z 2 | and amp (z 1 )  amp (z 2 )  0, then z 1  z 2 are conjugate complex numbers of each other.
 z  0, amp (z  z )  0 or  ; amp (zz )  0; amp (z  z )   / 2.
 arg (1)  0, arg (1)   ; arg (i)   / 2, arg (i)   / 2 .

 arg (z )   Re (z )  Im(z ).
4
 Amplitude of complex number in I and II quadrant is always positive and in III rd and IVth quadrant is always
negative.
 If a complex number multiplied by i (Iota) its amplitude will be increased by  / 2 and will be decreased by  / 2 ,
 
if multiplied by –i, i.e. arg(iz)   arg(z ) and arg(iz)  arg(z )  .
2 2

Complex number Value of argument

+ve Re (z) 0
–ve Re (z) 
+ve Im (z)  /2
–ve Im (z) 3 / 2 or   / 2
– (z) |    |, if  is  ve and  ve respectively
(iz)  
  arg (z )
2 
–(iz)  
arg (z )  
 2
 Complex Numbers 41
41
(z n ) n. arg (z)

(z 1 .z 2 ) arg (z1) + arg (z2)

 z1  arg (z1) – arg (z2)

 
 z2 
1  i
Example: 24 Amplitude of   is [Rajasthan PET
1  i
1996]
   
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 4 6
1i 1i
Solution: (a) z  i
1i 1i

 1  
   tan 1     (Since z lies on negative imaginary axis)
 
0 2

Example: 25 If z 1  z 2 and amp z 1  amp z 2  0 , then [MP PET

1999]
(a) z 1  z 2 (b) z 1  z 2 (c) z 1  z 2  0 (d) z 1  z 2

Solution: (b) Let z 1  OP, z 2  OQ Y P

Since amp (z1 ) =   amp (z 2 ) = – 

 Q is point image of P 
O X
–
 z1  z 2

Trick : arg z  arg z  0, z1 must be equal to z 2 . Q

Example: 26 Let z, w be complex numbers such that z  iw  0 and arg zw   , then arg z equals
[AIEEE 2004]
(a) 5 / 4 (b)  / 2 (c) 3 / 4 (d)  / 4
Solution: (d) z  iw  0
 z  iw    ( / 2   )   ,     / 4 .

  
Example: 27 The amplitude of sin  i  1  cos  [Karnataka CET 2003]
5  5

(a)  / 5 (b) 2 / 5 (c)  / 10 (d)  / 15

         
Solution: (c) sin  i (1  cos )  2 sin . cos  i 2 sin 2  2 sin  cos  i sin 
5 5 10 10 10 10  10 10 


sin
For amplitude, tan   10  tan      .
 10 10
cos
10
5
Example: 28 If z  4 and arg z  , then z  [MP PET
6
1987]

(a) 2 3  2i (b) 2 3  2i (c)  2 3  2i (d)  3  i

5
Solution: [c] z  4 and arg z   150 º ,
6
42 Complex Numbers
5
Let z  x  iy , then z  r  x 2  y 2  4 and    150 º
6
1
 x  r cos   4 cos 150 º   2 3 and y  r sin   4 sin 150 º  4   2.
2

 z  x  i y  2 3  2i.
5
Trick: Since arg z   150 º , here the complex number must lie in second quadrant, so (a) and (b)
6
rejected. Also z  4 , which satisfies (c) only.


Example: 29 If z and  are to non-zero complex numbers such that | z |  1 and arg (z) – arg ( )  , then z  is
2
equal to
[AIEEE 2003]
(a) 1 (b) – 1 (c) i (d) – i
z  z z
Solution: (d) | z ||  |  1 .....(i) and arg     i  1 .....(ii)
  2  
From equation (i) and (ii),
z z z
| z | |  |  1 and   0; z  z   0  z    z     z   i |  | 2  i.
  

2.8 Square Root of a Complex Number.

Let a  ib be a complex number such that a  ib  x  iy, where x and y are real numbers.
Then

a  ib  x  iy  a  ib  (x  iy)2  a  ib  (x 2  y 2 )  2ixy

 x 2  y2  a .....(i)

and 2 xy  b .....(ii) [On equating real and imaginary parts]

 a2  b 2  a   a2  b 2  a 
Solving, x     and y    
 2   2 
   

  a2  b 2  a   a2  b 2  a 
 a  ib      i  
  2   2 
     

 | z | a | z | a   | z | a | z | a 
Therefore a  ib    i  for b>0    i  for b<0.
 2 2   2 2 

Note : To find the square root of a  ib, replace i by – i in the above results.

1  i
 The square root of i is    , [Here b = 1]
 2 

1  i
 The square root of – i is    , [Here b = –1]
 2 
 Complex Numbers 43
43
Alternative method for finding the square root
(i) If the imaginary part is not even then multiply and divide the given complex number by
1
2. e.g. z = 8 – 15i here imaginary part is not even so write z = (16 – 30i) and let a  i b = 16 –
2
30 i .
(ii) Now divide the numerical value of imaginary part of a  i b by 2 and let quotient be P
and find all possible two factors of the number P thus obtained and take that pair in which
difference of squares of the numbers is equal to the real part of a  i b e.g., here numerical value
of Im(16 – 30i) is 30. Now 30 = 2  15 . All possible way to express 15 as a product of two are
1  15 , 3  5 etc. here 5 2  3 2 = 16 = Re (16– 30i) so we will take 5, 3.

(iii) Take i with the smaller or the greater factor according as the real part of a + ib is
positive or negative and if real part is zero then take equal factors of P and associate i with any
one of them e.g., Re(16 – 30i)  0, we will take i with 3. Now complete the square and write
down the square root of z.

e.g., z 
1
2 2
 2

 16  30 i   1 5 2  3i2  2  5  3i  1  5  3i  2  z   1 (5  3i)
2

Example: 30 The square root of 3  4 i are

(a)  (2  i) (b)  (2  i) (c)  ( 3  2i) (d)  ( 3  2i)

 53 53 
Solution: (a) z  5 , 3  4i    i    (2  i)
 2 2 
 

Example: 31 2i equals [Roorkee 1989 ]

(a) 1  i (b) 1  i (c)  2 i (d) None of these

Solution: (a) z  2i  a  b i  a  0, b  2,| z |  2

 20 20 
 z   i   (1  i)
 2 2 
 
Trick: It is always better to square the options rather than finding the square root.

2.9 Representation of Complex Number.

A complex number can be represented in the following from:
(1) Geometrical representation (Cartesian representation): The complex number z  a  ib  (a, b)
is represented by a point P whose coordinates are referred to Imaginary
rectangular axes XO X  and YO Y  which are called real and
P(a, b)
axis

imaginary axis respectively. Thus a complex number z is | z |  a2  b 2 b

 Real
represented by a point in a plane, and corresponding to every point O a M axis

in this plane there exists a complex number such a plane is called

argand plane or argand diagram or complex plane or gaussian
44 Complex Numbers

plane.

Note :  Distance of any complex number from the origin is called the modules of complex

number and is denoted by |z|, i.e., | z |  a2  b 2

 Angle of any complex number with positive direction of x– axis is called

b 
amplitude or argument of z. i.e., amp (z )  arg(z )  tan 1  
a

(2) Trigonometrical (Polar) representation : In  OPM, let OP  r , then a  r cos  and b  r sin  .
Hence z can be expressed as z  r(cos   i sin  )
where r = |z| and  = principal value of argument of z.
For general values of the argument z  rcos(2n    )  i sin( 2n    )

Note : Sometimes cos   i sin   is written in short as cis .

44 Complex Numbers

(3) Vector representation : If P is the point (a, b) on the argand plane corresponding to the
complex number z  a  ib .
b 
Then OP  aˆi  bˆj ,  | OP |  a2  b 2 | z | and arg z = direction of the vector OP  tan 1  
a

Therefore, complex number z can also be represented by OP .

(4) Eulerian representation (Exponential form) : Since we have e i = cos   i sin  and thus z can
be expressed as z  rei , where | z |  r and   arg (z)

Note : e i  (cos   i sin  )

 e i  e i  2 cos  , e i  e i  2i sin 

1  7i
Example: 32  [Roorkee 1998]
(2  i) 2

 3 3      3 3 
(a) 2  cos  i sin  (b) 2  cos  i sin  (c)  cos  i sin  (d) None of these
 4 4   4 4  4 4 

1  7i (1  7 i)(3  4 i) 25  25 i
Solution: (a)    1  i
(2  i) 2
(3  4 i)(3  4 i) 25
Let z  x  iy  1  i ,  x  r cos   1 and y  r sin   1

3 1  7i  3 3 
   and r  2 , Thus  2 cos  i sin
4 (2  i)2  4 4 

1  7i 1  7i  1  7i   4  4 3
Alternative method:   2 and arg    tan 1 7  tan 1    tan 1 7  tan 1 
(2  i)2 3  4i  3  4i   3  3 4

1  7i  3 3 
  2  cos  i sin 
(2  i) 2  4 4 

Example: 33 If  1   3  re i , then  is equal to [Rajasthan PET 1989; MP PMT

1999]
  2 2
(a) (b)  (c) (d) 
3 3 3 3

Solution: (c) Here  1   3  re i   1  i 3  re i  r cos   ir sin 

Equating real and imaginary part, we get r cos   1 and r sin  3

2 2
Hence tan    3  tan   tan   .
3 3
i
Example: 34 Real part of e e is [Rajasthan PET 1995]
cos  cos  sin  sin 
(a) e [cos(sin  )] (b) e [cos(cos  )] (c) e [sin(cos  )] (d) e [sin(sin  )]
i
Solution: (a) ee  e (cos i sin  )  e cos  . e i sin   e cos [cos(i sin  )  i sin(sin  )]
i
 Real part of e e is e cos [cos(sin  )] .
1 1
Example: 35 If  x  2 cos  , then x n  n is equal to [UPSEAT 2001]
x x
(a) 2 cos n  (b) 2 sin n (c) cos n (d) sin n
 Complex Numbers 45

1 1
Solution: (a) Let x  cos   i sin  e i then x n   e i n   i n   e i n  e in  cos n  i sin n  cos n  i sin n  2 cos n .
xn e

2.10 Logarithm of a Complex Number.

Let z  x  iy and
log e (x  iy)  a  ib .....(i)
x  iy  r(cos   i sin  )  re i .....(ii)
y
then x  r cos  , y  r sin  , clearly r  x 2  y 2 and   tan 1  
x
y
From equation (ii), log( x  iy)  log e (re i )  log r  log e e i  log e r  i  log e (x 2  y 2 )  i tan 1  
x
log e (z )  log e | z |  i amp z
Obviously, the general value is Log (z )  log e (z )  2ni (  amp (z )   )

Example: 36 i i is equal to [EAMCET 1995]

 /2  / 2
(a) e (b) e (c)  / 2 (d) None of these
Solution: (b) Let A  i then log A  log i  i log i  log A  i log( 0  i)  log A  i[log 1  i / 2]
i i
( (i)  1 and arg (i)   / 2)
 / 2
log A  i[0  i / 2]   / 2  A  e .
 x i
Example: 37 i log   is equal to [Rajasthan PET 2000]
 x  i
(a)   2 tan 1 x (b)   2 tan 1 x (c)    2 tan 1 x (d)    2 tan 1 x
 x i z  x i z  x  i x  i  x 2  1  2ix 
Solution: (b) Let z  i log     log     log     log  
 x  i  x  i  x  i x  i  x  1 
2
i i

z x2 1 2x 
  log  2 i 2  .....(i)
i  x  1 x  1 

b
∵ log( a  ib)  log( re i )  log r  i  log a 2  b 2  i tan 1  
a
2
z  x 2  1    2 x 2 1   2 x 
 log  
Hence
i  x 2  1    x 2  1   i tan  x 2  1  (By equation (i))
 

z x 4  1  2x 2  4 x 2  2x 
 log  i tan 1    log 1  i(2 tan 1 x )  0  i (tan 1 x )
i (x 2  1) 2 1  x 
2

 z  i2 2 tan 1 x  2 tan 1 x    2 tan 1 x.

2.11 Geometry of Complex Numbers.

(1) Geometrical representation of algebraic operations on complex numbers
(i) Sum: Let the complex numbers z 1  x 1  iy1  (x 1 , y1 ) and z 2  x 2  iy 2  (x 2 , y 2 ) be
represented by the points P and Q on the argand plane. Y Q(x2,y
R(x1+x2,
y2+y2 )
Then sum of z 1 and z 2 i.e., z 1  z 2 is represented by the point R. 2)

y2
Complex number z can be represented by OR .
P(x1,y1
 (x 1  x 2 )  i(y1  y 2 )  (x 1  iy1 )  (x 2  iy 2 )  (z 1  z 2 )  (x 1 , y 1 )  (x 2 , y 2 ) ) M
y1
X
O x2 N L K
46 Complex Numbers

In vector notation, we have z 1  z 2  OP  OQ  OP  PR  OR

(ii) Difference : We first represent  z 2 by Q', so that QQ' is bisected at O.
The point R represents the difference z 1  z 2 . Y
Q(x2,y
2)

In parallelogram ORPQ, OR  QP P(x1,y1

)
X
We have in vectorial notation z 1  z 2  OP  OQ  OP  QO O

R(x1–x2, y1–y2)
 OP  PR  OR  QP . Q'(–x2,–
y2)
(iii) Product : Let z 1  r1 (cos  1  i sin  1 )  r1 e i1

 | z 1 |  r1 and arg (z 1 )   1 and z 2  r2 (cos  2  i sin  2 )  r2 e i 2

Y
 | z 2 |  r2 and arg (z 2 )   2 R(z1,z
2)

Then, z 1 z 2  r1 r2 (cos  1  i sin  1 )(cos  2  i sin  2 ) r1r2

Q(z2
r2
1 P(z1)
= r1 r2 {cos( 1   2 )  i sin( 1   2 )} 2 r1 )
1
O X
 | z 1 z 2 |  r1r2 and arg (z 1 z 2 )   1   2 A

R is the point representing product of complex numbers z 1 and z 2 .

Important Tips
       
 Multiplication of i : Since z  r (cos   i sin ) and i   cos  i sin  then iz  cos      i sin   
 2 2  2  2 

Hence, multiplication of z with i then vector for z rotates a right angle in the positive sense.
i.e., To multiply a vector by –1 is to turn it through two right angles.
i.e., To multiply a vector by (cos   i sin  ) is to turn it through the angle  in the positive sense.

(iv) Division : Let z1  r1 (cos 1  i sin 1 )  r1e i 1

Y
 | z1 |  r1 and arg (z1 )  1 Q(z2)
r2
and z 2  r2 (cos  2  i sin  2 )  r2 e i 2 2 r1 P(z1)
1
X
 | z 2 |  r2 and arg (z 2 )   2 O 2 – 1 2

z1 r1 (cos 1  i sin 1 ) R
Then  (z 2  0, r2  0)
z 2 r2 (cos  2  i sin  2 )

 cos(1   2 )  i sin(1   2 )
z1 r1

z 2 r2

z1 r1 z 
  , arg 1   1  2
z 2 r2  z2 

Note : The vertical angle R is  ( 2   1 ) i.e.,  1   2 .

 Complex Numbers 47

 If  1 and  2 are the principal values of z 1 and z 2 then  1   2 and  1   2 are not
necessarily the principal value of arg (z 1 z 2 ) and arg (z 1 / z 2 ) .

2.12 Use of Complex Numbers in Co-ordinate Geometry.

(1) Distance formula : The distance between two points P(z 1 ) and Q (z 2 ) is given by
PQ | z 2  z 1 | = |affix of Q – affix of P|

Q(z2)

P(z1)

Note : The distance of point z from origin | z  0 | | z | | z  (0  i 0)| . Thus, modulus of

a complex number z represented by a point in the argand plane is its distance from
the origin.
 Three points A(z 1 ), B(z 2 ) and C (z 3 ) are collinear then AB  BC  AC
i.e., | z 1  z 2 |  | z 2  z 3 | | z 1  z 3 | .
(2) Section formula : If R(z) divides the joining of P (z 1 ) and Q(z 2 ) in the ratio
m 1 : m 2 (m 1 , m 2  0)
m1 z 2  m 2 z1
(i) If R(z) divides the segment PQ internally in the ratio of m 1 : m 2 then z 
m1  m 2
(ii) If R(z) divides the segment PQ externally in the ratio of m 1 : m 2 Q(z2)
m2
m1 z 2  m 2 z1
then z  m1
m1  m 2 R(z)
m1
m2
R(z)

z1  z 2 P(z1)
Note :  If R(z) is the mid point of PQ then affix of R is Q(z2)
2 P(z1)

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 are affixes of the vertices of a triangle, then affix of its centroid is

z1  z 2  z 3
.
3
(3) Equation of the perpendicular bisector : If P(z 1 ) and Q (z 2 ) are two fixed points and R(z ) is
moving point such that it is always at equal distance from P(z 1 ) and Q (zP(z
2 )1)

i.e., PR = QR or | z  z 1 | | z  z 2 |
R(z)
 | z  z 1 | 2 | z  z 2 | 2

 (z  z 1 )(z  z 1 )  (z  z 2 ) (z  z 2 ) Q(z2
)
 (z  z 1 ) (z  z 1 )  (z  z 2 ) (z  z 2 )

 z z(z 1  z 2 )  z (z 1  z 2 )  z 1 z 1  z 2 z 2  z(z 1  z 2 )  z (z 1  z 2 ) | z 1 | 2  | z 2 | 2
48 Complex Numbers

Hence, z lies on the perpendicular bisector of z 1 and z 2 .

(4) Equation of a straight line
(i) Parametric form : Equation of a straight line joining the point having affixes z 1 and z 2
is z  t z1  (1  t)z 2 , when t  R
(ii) Non parametric form : Equation of a straight line joining the points having affixes z 1
z z 1
and z 2 is z1 z1 1  0  z(z1  z 2 )  z (z1  z 2 )  z1 z 2  z 2 z1  0 .
z2 z2 1
z1 z1 1
Note : Three points z 1 , z 2 and z 3 are collinear z 2 z2 1  0
z3 z3 1
(iii) General equation of a straight line: The general equation of a straight line is of the
form a z  az  b  0 , where a is complex number and b is real number.
a coeff. of z
(iv) Slope of a line : The complex slope of the line a z  az  b  0 is    and
a coeff. of z
Re(a) (a  a )
real slope of the line a z  az  b  0 is   i .
Im(a) (a  a )
Note : If  1 and  2 are the are the complex slopes of two lines on the argand
plane, then
(i) If lines are perpendicular then  1   2  0 (ii) If lines are parallel then  1   2
 If lines az  a z  b  0 and a1 z  a1 z  b1  0 are the perpendicular or parallel, then
  a    a1
  a  a1
   
  0 or   aa1  a1 a  0 or aa1  a a1  0, where a, a1 are the
 a   a1  a a1
complex numbers and b, b1  R.
(v) Slope of the line segment joining two points : If A(z 1 ) and B(z 2 ) represent two points
in the argand plane then the complex slope of AB is defined by
B(z2)
z1  z 2
.
z1  z 2

Note :  If three points A(z 1 ), B(z 2 ), C(z 3 ) are collinear then

A(z1)
slope of AB = slope of BC = slope of AC
z1  z 2 z 2  z 3 z1  z 3
 
z1  z 2 z 2  z 3 z1  z 3
(vi) Length of perpendicular : The length of perpendicular from a point z 1 to the line
| a z1  az1  b | | a z1  az1  b |
a z  az  b  0 is given by or
| a| | a | 2| a|
(5) Equation of a circle : The equation of a circle whose centre is at point having affix z o and
radius r is | z  z o |  r
 Complex Numbers 49

Note :  If the centre of the circle is at origin and radius r, then

P(z)
its equation is | z |  r . r
 | z  z 0 |  r represents interior of a circle | z  z 0 |  r and
C(z0)
| z  z 0 |  r represent exterior of the circle | z  z o |  r .
Similarly, | z  z 0 |  r is the set of all points lying outside
the circle and | z  z 0 |  r is the set of all points lying outside and on the circle
| z  z 0 |  r.
(i) General equation of a circle : The general equation of the circle is zz  az  a z  b  0
where a is complex number and b  R .

 Centre and radius are – a and | a | 2 b respectively.

Note :  Rule to find the centre and radius of a circle whose equation is given:
 Make the coefficient of z z equal to 1 and right hand side equal to zero.
 The centre of circle will be = – a  coefficent of z

 Radius  | a | 2  constant term

(ii) Equation of circle through three non-collinear points : Let A(z 1 ), B(z 2 ), C(z 3 ) are three
points on the circle and P(z ) be any point on the circle, then ACB  APB
P(z)
Using coni method
C(z3
z  z 3 BC i 
In ACB, 2  e .....(i) 
)
z1  z 3 CA
A(z1 B(z2
z 2  z BP i
In  APB,  e .....(ii) ) )
z 1  z AP
From (i) and (ii) we get
(z  z 1 )(z 2  z 3 )
= Real .....(iii)
(z  z 2 )(z 1  z 3 )
(iii) Equation of circle in diametric form : If end points of diameter represented by A(z 1 )
and B(z 2 ) and P(z ) be any point on circle then, (z  z 1 ) (z  z 2 )  (z  z 2 )(z  z 1 )  0
which is required equation of circle in diametric form.
(iv) Other forms of circle : (a) Equation of all circle which are orthogonal to | z  z1 |  r1
and | z  z 2 |  r2 . Let the circle be | z   | = r cut given circles orthogonally

 r 2  r12 |   z1 | 2 …...(i) and r 2  r22 |   z 2 | 2 …..(ii)

on solving r22  r12   (z1  z 2 )   (z1  z 2 ) | z 2 | 2  | z1 | 2 and let   a  ib

P(z)

B(z2
)
Diameter
A(z1
)
50 Complex Numbers

z  z1
(b) = k is a circle if k  1 and a line if k = 1.
z  z2
1
(c) The equation | z  z1 | 2  | z  z 2 | 2  k , will represent a circle if k  | z1  z 2 | 2
2
(6) Equation of parabola : Now for parabola SP  PM
| z  z  2a | P(z
| z  a| M
)
2
1 2 N A

z+z+2a=0
S(a+i.0)
or zz  4 a(z  z )  {z  (z )2 }
2
where a  R (focus)
Directrix is z  z  2a  0
P(z
(7) Equation of ellipse : For ellipse SP  S ' P  2a )
 | z  z1 |  | z  z 2 |  2 a
S'(z2 S(z1)
where 2 a | z1  z 2 | (since eccentricity <1) )

Then point z describes an ellipse having foci at z 1 and z 2 and a  R  .

(8) Equation of hyperbola : For hyperbola SP  S ' P  2a
 | z  z1 |  | z  z 2 |  2 a P(z
)
where 2 a | z1  z 2 | (since eccentricity >1)
S(z1) O S'(z2
Then point z describes a hyperbola having foci at z 1 and z 2 and a  R  )

Example: 38 If in the adjoining diagram, A and B represent complex number z 1 and z 2 respectively, then C
represents
(a) z 1  z 2
Y
C
(b) z 1  z 2
B
(c) z 1 .z 2

(d) z 1 / z 2 A
X
O
Solution: (a) It is a fundamental concept.

Example: 39 If centre of a regular hexagon is at origin and one of the vertex on argand diagram is 1  2 i, then its
perimeter is
[Rajasthan PET 1999; Himachal CET 2002]

(a) 2 5 (b) 6 2 (c) 4 5 (d) 6 5

Solution: (d) Let the vertices be z 0 , z 1 ,....., z 5 w.r.t. centre O and | z 0 |  5

 Complex Numbers 51

 A 0 A1 | z 1  z 0 | | z 0 e i  z 0 | | z 0 | | cos   i sin  1 |  5 (cos   1) 2  sin 2 

  5 2(1  cos  )  5 . 2 sin( / 2) (1+2i)

A4 A3
 2  
 A0 A1  5 . 2 sin( / 6)  5      .....(i)
 6 3 
A5 A2
O (0,0
Similarly, A1 A 2  A 2 A3  A3 A4  A4 A5  A5 A0  5 )
A0 A1
Hence, the perimeter of regular polygon is

 A0 A1  A1 A2  A2 A3  A3 A4  A4 A5  A5 A0  6 5 .

z1  z 3 1  i 3
Example: 40 The complex numbers z 1 , z 2 and z 3 satisfying  are the vertices of a triangle which is
z2  z3 2
[IIT Screening2001]
(a) Of area zero (b) Right-angled isosceles (c) Equilateral (d)
z1  z 3 1 3 1 3
Solution: (b) Taking mod of both sides of given relation  i   1 .
z2  z3 2 2 4 4

 z  z3   z z  
So, | z 1  z 3 | | z 2  z 3 | . Also, amp  1  = tan 1 ( 3 )   or amp  2 3 
   3 or z 2 z 3 z 1  60 
 2
z z 3  3  z1  z 3 
 The triangle has two sides equal and the angle between the equal sides  60  . So it is equilateral.
Example: 41 Let the complex numbers z 1 , z 2 and z 3 be the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Let z 0 be the
circumcentre of the triangle, then z 12  z 22  z 32 

(a) z 02 (b)  z 02 (c) 3z 02 (d)  3z 02

Solution: (c) Let r be the circum-radius of the equilateral triangle and  the cube root of unity.
Let ABC be the equilateral triangle with z 1 , z 2 and z 3 as its
Y
vertices A, B and C respectively with circumcentre O' (z 0 ). The A'(z1 –
z0) r 
vectors O' A, O' B, O' C are equal and parallel to O A, O B, OC '
2 O
respectively. X
3
Then the vectors OA'  z1  z 0  rei Y 2
C (z3 –
z0 )
3
 OB'  z 2  z 0  rei(  2 / 3)  r e i
Y
 OC '  z 3  z 0  rei(  4  / 3)  r 2e i A(Z1)

 z1  z 0  rei , z 2  z 0  r e i , z 3  z 0  r 2 e i 2
O'(Z0)
Squaring and adding, we get, 3
z12  z 22  z 32  3 z 02  2(1     2 )z 0 re i  (1   2   4 ) r 2 e i 2  3 z 02 ,

since 1     2  0  1   2   4 . B(Z2) C(Z3)

Example: 42 The points z 1 , z 2 , z 3 , z 4 in the complex plane are the vertices of a
parallelogram taken in order, if and only if
[IIT 1981,83]
(a) z1  z 4  z 2  z 3 (b) z 1  z 3  z 2  z 4 (c) z 1  z 2  z 3  z 4 (d) None of these
z1  z 3 z  z4
Solution: (b) Diagonals of a parallelogram ABCD are bisected each other at a point i.e.,  2 
2 2
z1  z 3  z 2  z 4 .
Example: 43 If the complex number z 1 , z 2 and the origin form an equilateral triangle then z 12  z 22 
52 Complex Numbers

(a) z 1 z 2 (b) z 1 z 2 (c) z 2 z 1 (d) | z 1 | 2 | z 2 | 2

Solution: (a) Let OA, OB be the sides of an equilateral  OAB and OA, OB represent the complex numbers or vectors
z 1 , z 2 respectively.
Y
From the equilateral  OAB, AB  Z 2  Z1 B(Z2
)
 z  z1   z  
 arg 2   arg(z 2  z 1 )  argz 2 
 and arg 2   arg(z 2 )  arg(z 1 ) 
 Z2 Z 2– Z 1
 z2  3  z1  3

Z1 A(Z1
z  z1 z 3
)
Also, 2  1  2 , since triangle is equilateral. O X
z2 z1
z 2  z1 z2
Thus the vectors and have same modulus and same argument, which implies that the
z2 z1
z 2  z1 z
vectors are equal, that is  2  z 1 z 2  z 12  z 22  z 12  z 22  z 1 z 2 .
z2 z1

2.13 Rotation Theorem.

Rotational theorem i.e., angle between two intersecting lines. This is also known as coni
method.
Let z 1 , z 2 and z 3 be the affixes of three points A, B and C respectively taken on argand
plane.
Then we have AC  z 3  z 1 and AB = z 2  z 1 Y
C(z3)
B(z2)
and let arg AC  arg (z 3  z 1 )   and AB  arg (z 2  z 1 )   

Let CAB   ,  CAB       A(z1)

 z  z1   
= arg AC  arg AB = arg (z 3  z 1 )  arg (z 2  z 1 ) = arg  3  O
X

 z 2  z1 
 affix of C  affix of A 
or angle between AC and AB = arg  
 affix of B  affix of A 
For any complex number z we have z | z | e i(argz)
 z 3  z1 
 z  z1   z 3  z 1  i  a rg z 2  z1  z  z1 | z 3  z1 | i(CAB ) AC i
Similarly,  3     e or 3  e  e
 z 2  z1   z 2  z1  z 2  z1 | z 2  z1 | AB

Note : Here only principal values of the arguments are considered.

 z  z2   z  z2 
 arg  1    , if AB coincides with CD, then arg  1   0 or   , so that
 z3  z4   z3  z4 
z1  z 2 z  z2
is real. It follows that if 1 is real, then D
z3  z4 z3  z4 P(z1)

the points A, B, C, D are collinear. S(z4) 

A B
R(z3)
 If AB is perpendicular to CD, then arg
C Q(z2)
 Complex Numbers 53

 z1  z 2  z1  z 2
    / 2 , so is purely imaginary. It follows that if z 1  z 2 =
 z3  z4  z3  z4
 k z 3  z 4  , where k purely imaginary number, then AB and CD are perpendicular to
each other.
(1) Complex number as a rotating arrow in the argand plane : Let z  rcos   i sin    re i ..…(i)
r. e i be a complex number representing a point P in the argand
Y Q(zei)
plane.
 P(z)
Then OP | z |  r and POX   X'

X
O
Now consider complex number z1  ze i

or z1  re i .e i  re i  
Y'
{from (i)}
Clearly the complex number z 1 represents a point Q in the argand plane, when OQ  r and
QOX     .

Clearly multiplication of z with e i rotates the vector OP through angle  in

anticlockwise sense. Similarly multiplication of z with e  i will rotate the vector OP in
clockwise sense.

Note : If z 1 , z 2 and z 3 are the affixes of the points A,B and C such that AC  AB and

CAB   . Therefore, AB  z 2  z1 , AC  z 3  z1 .
C(z3)

Then AC will be obtained by rotating AB through an

angle  in anticlockwise sense, and therefore, B(z2)

z 3  z1
AC  AB e i or (z 3  z1 )  (z 2  z1 )e i or  e i A(z1)
z 2  z1

 If A, B and C are three points in argand plane such that AC  AB and CAB  
then use the rotation about A to find e i , but if AC  AB use coni method.
 Let z 1 and z 2 be two complex numbers represented by point P and Q in the argand

plane such that  POQ   . Then, z1e i is a vector of magnitude | z 1 |  OP along OQ

z1e i z1 e i
and is a unit vector along OQ . Consequently, | z 2 | . is a vector of
| z1 | | z1 |
| z2 | z
magnitude | z 2 |  OQ along OQ i.e., z 2  .z1e i  z 2  2 .
| z1 | z1

(2) Condition for four points to be concyclic : If points A,B,C and D are concyclic
 ABD   ACD

Using rotation theorem

A(z1) D(z4)

 

B(z2) C(z3)
54 Complex Numbers

(z1  z 2 ) z 4  z 2 i
In  ABD  e .....(i)
z1  z 2 z4  z2

(z1  z 3 ) z 4  z 3 i
In  ACD  e .....(ii)
z1  z 3 z4  z3

From (i) and (ii)

(z1  z 2 ) (z 4  z 3 ) (z1  z 2 ) (z 4  z 3 )
 =Real
z1  z 3 z 4  z 2 (z1  z 3 )(z 4  z 2 )

(z1  z 2 ) (z 4  z 3 )
So if z 1 , z 2 , z 3 and z 4 are such that is real, then these four points are
(z1  z 3 ) (z 4  z 2 )
concyclic.

Example: 44 If complex numbers z1 , z 2 and z 3 represent the vertices A, B and C respectively of an isosceles
triangle ABC of which C is right angle, then correct statement is

(a) z 12  z 22  z 32  z 1 z 2 z 3 (b) (z 3  z 1 )2  z 3  z 2

(c) (z 1  z 2 )2  (z 1  z 3 ) (z 3  z 2 ) (d) (z1  z 2 )2  2(z1  z 3 ) (z 3  z 2 )

Solution: (d) BC  AC and C   / 2

A(z1)
By rotation about C in anticlockwise sense CB  CAe i / 2
 (z 2  z 3 )  (z 1  z 3 )e i / 2  i(z 1  z 3 )

 (z 2  z 3 )2  (z1  z 3 )2  z 22  z 32  2 z 2 z 3   z12  z 32  2 z1 z 3
90°
 z 12  z 22  2 z 1 z 2  2 z 1 z 3  2 z 2 z 3  2 z 32  2 z 1 z 2 B(z2) C(z3)
 (z 1  z 2 )  2[(z 1 z 3 
2
z 32 )  (z 1 z 2  z 2 z 3 )]  (z 1  z 2 )  2(z 1  z 3 )(z 3  z 2 ).
2

Example: 45 In the argand diagram, if O,P and Q represents respectively the origin, the complex numbers z and
z  iz, then the angle OPQ is
   2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 3 2 3
Solution: (c) It is a fundamental concept.
Example: 46 The centre of a regular polygon of n sides is located at the point z  0 and one of its vertex z 1 is
known. If z 2 be the vertex adjacent to z 1 , then z 2 is equal to
 2 2        
(a) z 1  cos  i sin  (b) z 1  cos  i sin  (c) z 1  cos  i sin  (d) None of these
 n n   n n  2n 2n 
Solution: (a) Let A be the vertex with affix z 1 . There are two possibilities of
2 B(z2)
z 2 i.e., z 2 can be obtained by rotating z 1 through either in
n 2/n
clockwise or in anticlockwise direction. 2/n
i 2 i 2
z2 z
  2 e 2  z 2  z1 e 2 (| z 2 | | z 1 |) A(z1) B(z2)
z1 z1

 2 2 
 z 2  z1  cos  i sin 
 n n 
 Complex Numbers 55

1
Example: 47 Let z 1 , z 2 , z 3 be three vertices of an equilateral triangle circumscribing the circle | z |  . If
2
1 3i
z1   and z 1 , z 2 , z 3 are in anticlockwise sense then z 2 is
2 2
(a) 1  3 i (b) 1  3 i (c) 1 (d) – 1
1 3   2 2  1 3   1 3  3 1
Solution: (d) z 2  z 1 e i 2 / 3    i   cos  i sin    i   i    1 .
2 2   3 3   2   2 
  2  2  4 4

2.14 Triangle Inequalities.

In any triangle, sum of any two sides is greater than the third side and difference of any
two side is less than the third side. By applying this basic concept to the set of complex numbers
we are having the following results.
(1) | z 1  z 2 | | z 1 |  | z 2 | (2) | z 1  z 2 | | z 1 |  | z 2 |
(3) | z 1  z 2 | | | z 1 |  | z 2 || (4) | z 1  z 2 | || z 1 |  | z 2 ||
Note : In a complex plane | z 1  z 2 | is the distance between the points z 1 and z 2 .
 The equality | z 1  z 2 | | z 1 |  | z 2 | holds only when arg (z 1 ) = arg (z 2 ) i.e., z 1 and z 2
are parallel.
 The equality | z 1  z 2 | || z 1 |  | z 2 || holds only when arg (z 1 ) – arg (z 2 ) =  i.e., z 1 and
z 2 are antiparallel.
 In any parallelogram sum of the squares of its sides is equal to the sum of the
squares of its diagonals i.e. | z1  z 2 | 2  | z1  z 2 | 2  2 (| z1 | 2  | z 2 | 2 )
 Law of polygon i.e., | z 1  z 2  ....  z n | | z 1 |  | z 2 | .... | z n |
Important Tips
1
 The area of the triangle whose vertices are z, iz and z + iz is | z|2.
2

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 be the vertices of a triangle then the area of the triangle is

 (z 2  z 3 )| z1 | 2
.
4 iz1

3
 Area of the triangle with vertices z, wz and z  wz is | z2 | .
4

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 be the vertices of an equilateral triangle and z o be the circumcentre, then z 12  z 22  z 32   3z 02 .

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 ..... z n be the vertices of a regular polygon of n sides and z 0 be its centroid, then z 12  z 22  .....  z n2  nz 02 .

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 be the vertices of a triangle, then the triangle is equilateral iff (z 1  z 2 ) 2  (z 2  z 3 ) 2  (z 3  z 1 ) 2  0 or

1 1 1
z 12  z 22  z 32  z 1 z 2  z 2 z 3  z 3 z 1 or   0.
z1  z 2 z 2  z 3 z 3  z1

 If z 1 , z 2 z 3 are the vertices of an isosceles triangle, right angled at z 2 then z 12  z 22  z 32  2 z 2 (z 1  z 3 ) .

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 are the vertices of right-angled isosceles triangle, then (z 1  z 2 ) 2  2z 1  z 3 (z 3  z 2 ) .

 If one of the vertices of the triangle is at the origin i.e., z 3  0, then the triangle is equilateral iff z 12  z 22  z 1 z 2  0 .
56 Complex Numbers

z1 z 1 1
 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 and z 1 , z 2 , z 3 are the vertices of a similar triangle, then z 2 z 2 1 0.
z3 z 3 1

 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 be the affixes of the vertices A, B, C respectively of a triangle ABC, then its orthocentre is
a(sec A)z 1  b(sec B)z 2  (c sec C )z 3
.
a sec A  b sec B  c sec C

Example: 48 The points 1  3i, 5  i and 3  2i in the complex plane are

(a) Vertices of a right angled triangle (b) Collinear
(c) Vertices of an obtuse angled triangle (d) Vertices of an equilateral triangle
x1 y1 1 1 3 1
1 1
Solution: (b) Let z1  1  3i, z 2  5  i and z 3  3  2i . Then area of triangle A  x2 y2 1  5 1 1  0 , Hence
2 2
x3 y3 1 3 2 1
z1 , z 2 and z 3 are collinear.
Example: 49 If z  x  iy , then area of the triangle whose vertices are points z, iz and z  iz is
[IIT 1986; MP PET 1997, 2001; DCE 1997; AMU 2000; UPSEAT 2002]
1 3
(a) 2 | z | 2 (b) | z | 2 (c) | z | 2 (d) | z| 2
2 2
Solution: (b) Let z  x  iy , z  iz  x  y   ix  y  and iz   y  ix
If A denotes the area of the triangle formed by z , z  iz and iz , then
x y 1
1
A x y x y 1 (Applying transformation R2  R2  R1  R3 )
2
y x 1

x y 1
1 1 1
We get A  0 0  1 = (x 2  y 2 )  | z | 2 .
2 2 2
y x 0

Example: 50 | z1  z 2 | | z1 |  | z 2 | is possible if [MP PET 1999]

1
(a) z 2  z1 (b) z 2  (c) arg (z1 )  arg( z 2 ) (d) | z1 | | z 2 |
z1
Solution: (c) Squaring both sides, we get
| z1 | 2  | z 2 | 2  2 | z1 || z 2 | cos(1   2 ) | z1 | 2  | z 2 | 2 2 | z1 || z 2 |

 2| z1 || z 2 | cos(1   2 )  2 | z1 || z 2 |  cos(1   2 )  1  1   2  0 o  1   2
Hence arg (z1 )  arg (z 2 )
Trick: Let z1 and z2 are the two sides of a triangle. By applying triangle inequality (z 1  z 2 ) is the third
side. Equality holds only when 1   2 i.e., z1 and z 2 are parallel.

2.15 Standard Loci in the Argand Plane.

(1) If z is a variable point in the argand plane such that arg (z )   , then locus of z is a
straight line (excluding origin) through the origin inclined at an angle  with x–axis.
(2) If z is a variable point and z 1 is a fixed point in the argand plane such that arg
(z  z 1 )   , then locus of z is a straight line passing through the point representing z 1 and
inclined at an angle  with x-axis. Note that the point z 1 is excluded from the locus.
 Complex Numbers 57

(3) If z is a variable point and z 1 , z 2 are two fixed points in the argand plane, then
(i) | z  z 1 | | z  z 2 |  Locus of z is the perpendicular bisector of
the line
segment joining z 1 and z 2
(ii) | z  z 1 |  | z  z 2 | = constant | z1  z 2 |   Locus of z is an ellipse
(iii) | z  z 1 |  | z  z 2 | | z 1  z 2 |  Locus of z is the line segment joining
z 1 and z 2
(iv) | z  z 1 |  | z  z 2 | | z 1  z 2 |  Locus of z is a straight line joining z 1 and z 2
but z
does not lie between z 1 and z 2 .
(v) | z  z1 | | z  z 2 |  constant | z1  z | 2  Locus of z is a hyperbola.
(vi) | z  z 1 | 2  | z  z 2 | 2 | z 1  z 2 |  Locus of z is a circle with z 1 and z 2 as the
extremities of diameter.
(vii) | z  z 1 |  k | z  z 2 | k  1  Locus of z is a circle.
 z  z1 
(viii) arg     (fixed )  Locus of z is a segment of circle.
 z  z2 
 z  z1 
(ix) arg   =   / 2  Locus of z is a circle with z 1 and z 2 as the
 z  z2 
vertices of
diameter.
 z  z1 
(x) arg   = 0 or 
  Locus z is a straight line passing through z 1
 z  z2 
and z 2 .
z  z1 z  z1
(xi) The equation of the line joining complex numbers z 1 and z 2 is given by 
z 2  z1 z 2  z 1
z z 1
or z1 z1 1  0
z2 z2 1
 z 1 
Example: 51 The locus of the points z which satisfy the condition arg   is [Rajasthan PET 2000,2002; MP PET 200
 z 1 3
(a) A straight line (b) A circle (c) A parabola (d) None of these
z  1 x  iy  1 (x  y  1)  2iy
2 2
Solution:(c) We have  
z  1 x  iy  1 (x  1)2  y 2
z 1 2y
 arg  tan 1 2
z 1 x  y2  1
2y 
Hence tan 1 
x2  y2  1 3
58 Complex Numbers
2y  2 2
  tan  3  x2  y2 1  y  x 2  y2  y  1  0 , which is obviously a circle.
x  y 1
2 2
3 3 3

Example: 52 If z 2  1 | z | 2 1, then z lies on [AIEEE 2004]

(a) An ellipse (b) The imaginary axis (c) A circle (d) The real axis
Solution: (b) | z  1 | | z | 1
2 2

 | z  1 | 2| z  1 | 2  (zz  1)2  (z  1) (z  1) (z  1) (z  1)  (zz  1)2  z  z  0

 z lies on imaginary axis.

 z 1 
Example: 53 The locus of the point z satisfying arg    k . (where k is non-zero) is
 z 1
(a) Circle with centre on y–axis (b) Circle with centre on x–axis
(b) A straight line parallel to x–axis (d) A straight line making an angle 60° with x–axis
 z 1   (x  1)  iy 
Solution: (a) arg   k  arg   k  arg[(x  1)  iy]  arg[(x  1)  iy]  k
 z 1   (x  1)  iy 
 y y 
  
 tan  1 
y  1  y 
  tan  1 x  1
  k  tan  x  1   k  tan k  y(x  1)  y(x  1)  2y
 x 1   x 1   x2  y2 1 x 2  y2 1
2
y
 1 2 
 x 1 
2y 2y
  x 2  y2 1  x 2  y2  1  0
tan k tan k
It is an equation of circle whose centre is (g,  f )  (0, cot k ) on y–axis.

Example: 54 The locus of z satisfying the inequality log1 / 3 | z  1|  log1 / 3 | z  1| is

(a) R(z )  0 (b) R(z )  0 (c) I(z )  0 (d) None of these

Solution: (a) log1 / 3 | z  1|  log1 / 3 | z  1|

 | z  1| | z  1|  x 2  1  2 x  y 2  x 2  1  2 x  y 2  x  0  Re( z )  0 .

Example: 55 If   i  tan 1 (z), z  x  iy and  is constant, the locus of 'z' is [EAMCET 1995; KCET 1996]

(a) x 2  y 2  2 x cot 2  1 (b) cot 2(x 2  y 2 )  1  x (c) x 2  y 2  2y tan 2  1 (d) x 2  y 2  2 x sin 2  1

Solution: (a) tan(  i )  x  iy
 tan(  i )  x  iy (conjugate),  is a constant and  is known to be eliminated
x  iy  x  iy
tan 2  tan(  i    i )  tan 2   1  (x 2  y 2 )  2 x cot 2
1  (x 2  y 2 )

 x 2  y 2  2 x cot 2  1.

2.16 De' Moivre's Theorem.

(1) If n is any rational number, then (cos   i sin  )n  cos n  i sin n .
(2) If z  (cos  1  i sin  1 )(cos  2  i sin  2 )(cos  3  i sin  3 ).....(cos  n  i sin  n )
then z  cos( 1   2   3  .....   n )  i sin( 1   2   3  .....   n ) , where 1 ,  2,  3 ..... n  R .

  2k      2k    
(3) If z  r(cos   i sin  ) and n is a positive integer, then z 1 / n  r1 / n cos    i sin   ,
  n   n 
 Complex Numbers 59

where k  0, 1, 2, 3,.....(n  1) .

 2k   p    2k   p  
(4) If p, q  z and q  0, then (cos   i sin  ) p / q  cos    i sin   ,
 q   q 
where k  0, 1, 2, 3 .....(q  1) .
Deductions: If n  Q, then

(i) (cos   i sin  )n  cos n  i sin n (ii) (cos   i sin  )n  cos n  i sin n

   
(iii) (cos   i sin  )n  cos n  i sin n (iv) (sin   i cos  )n  cos n      i sin n   
2  2 
Applications
(i) In finding the expansions of trigonometric functions i.e. cos n  cos n   n C 2 cos n  2  sin 2 
 n C 4 cos n  4  sin 4  – ......

sin n  nC1 cos n 1  sin  n C 3 cos n  3  sin 3   n C 5 cos n 5  sin 5   .......

(ii) In finding the roots of complex numbers.
(iii) In finding the complex solution of algebraic equations.

Note : This theorem is not valid when n is not a rational number or the complex
number is not in the form of cos   i sin  .
Powers of complex numbers : Let z  x  iy  r(cos   i sin  )

 z n  r n (cos   i sin  )n  r n (cos n  i sin n )

Number x + iy form Standard complex General

form
1 1+i0 cos 0  i sin 0 cos 2n  i sin 2n
–1 – 1+i0 cos   i sin  cos( 2n  1)  i sin(2n  1)

i 0 +i(1)    
cos  i sin cos(4 n  1)  i sin(4 n  1)
2 2 2 2
–i 0 +i(–1)    
cos  i sin cos(4 n  1)  i sin(4 n  1)
2 2 2 2
100
1  i
Example: 56 If    a  ib , then
1  i

(a) a = 2, b = –1 (b) a = 1, b = 0 (c) a = 0, b = 1 (d) a = –1, b = 2

60 Complex Numbers

1i 1i    
Solution: (b)   i  cos     i sin    (i)100  cos( 50  )  i sin(50  ) = 1  i (0)  a  1, b  0
1i 1i  2  2

   
Example: 57 If x r  cos  r  + i sin  r  , then x1. x 2 .x 3 .......... . is
2  2 
[Rajasthan PET 1990, 2000; Karnataka CET 2000; UPSEAT 1990; Haryana CEE 1998; BIT Ranchi 1996]

(a) –3 (b) –2 (c) –1 (d) 0

      
Solution: (c) x 1 . x 2 . x 3 ..... upto    cos  i sin   cos 2  i sin 2  ………………..
 2 2  2 2 

     
   
     
= cos   2  ...   i sin  2  ....  = cos  2   i sin  2  = cos   i sin   1
2 2  2 2   1   1 
1   1  
 2   2 
r r
Example: 58 If z r  cos 2
 i sin , where r  1, 2,3,....., n, then lim z1 z 2 z 3 ..... z n is equal to [UPSEAT 2001]
n n2 n 

(a) cos   i sin  (b) cos( / 2)  i sin( / 2) (c) e i / 2 (d) 3

e i

r r  
Solution: (c) z r  cos  i sin  z 1  cos  i sin ;
n2 n2 n2 n2
2 2
z 2  cos  i sin ;………………..
n2 n2

n n     
 z n  cos  i sin  lim (z 1 , z 2 , z 3 ,..... z n )  lim cos  2 (1  2  3  .....  n)  i sin  2 (1  2  3  .....  n)
n2 n2 n  n 
  n   n 

  n(n  1)  n(n  1)   
 lim cos 2
 i sin 2   cos  i sin  e i / 2 .
n   2n 2n  2 2
n
 1  sin   i cos  
Example: 59    [Kerala (Engg.) 2002]
 1  sin   i cos  

 n   n   n   n 
(a) cos   n    i sin  n  (b) cos   n    i sin  n 
 2   2   2   2 

 n   n   n   n 
(c) sin  n    i cos   n  (d) cos n  n    i sin n  n 
 2   2   2   2 
n n
 1  sin   i cos    1  cos   i sin     
Solution: (a)      where     
 1  sin   i cos    1  cos   i sin    2 
n
    
n
   
n    
 2 cos 2  2i sin cos   cos  i sin   cis   n

 2 2 2   2 2    2    cis      cis(n  )

 
 2               2 2 
 2 cos  2i sin . cos   cos  i sin   cis   
 2 2 2   2 2    2 

   n   n   n 
 cis n     cis      cos   n    i sin  n  .
 2   2   2   2 

2.17 Roots of a Complex Number.

(1) nth roots of complex number (z1/n) : Let z  r(cos  i sin  ) be a complex number. To find the
roots of a complex number, first we express it in polar form with the general value of its
 Complex Numbers 61

amplitude and use the De' moivre's theorem. By using De'moivre's theorem nth roots having n
distinct values of such a complex number are given by
 2m    2m    
z 1 / n  r 1 / n cos  i sin , where m  0, 1, 2,....., (n  1).
 n n 
Properties of the roots of z1/n :

(i) All roots of z1/n are in geometrical progression with common ratio e 2 i / n .
(ii) Sum of all roots of z1/n is always equal to zero.
(iii) Product of all roots of z 1 / n  (1)n1 z.

(iv) Modulus of all roots of z1/n are equal and each equal to r 1 / n or | z | 1 / n .

2
(v) Amplitude of all the roots of z1/n are in A.P. with common difference .
n
(vi) All roots of z1/n lies on the circumference of a circle whose centre is origin and radius
equal to | z | 1 / n . Also these roots divides the circle into n equal parts and forms a polygon of n
sides.
(2) The nth roots of unity : The nth roots of unity are given by the solution set of the equation
x n  1  cos 0  i sin 0  cos 2k   i sin 2k 

x  [cos 2k  i sin 2k ]1 / n

2k  2k 
x  cos  i sin , where k  0, 1, 2, ....., (n  1) .
n n
Properties of nth roots of unity
2 2
(i) Let   cos  i sin  e i(2 / n) , the nth roots of unity can be expressed in the form of a
n n
series i.e., 1, ,  2 ,..... n1 . Clearly the series is G.P. with common difference  i.e., e i(2 / n) .

(ii) The sum of all n roots of unity is zero i.e., 1     2  .....   n 1  0 .

(iii) Product of all n roots of unity is (1)n1 .

(iv) Sum of pth power of n roots of unity
0, when p is not multiple of n
1   p   2 p  .....   (n 1) p  
n, when p is a multiple of n
(v) The n, nth roots of unity if represented on a complex plane locate their positions at the
vertices of a regular plane polygon of n sides inscribed in a unit circle having centre at origin,
one vertex on positive real axis.

Note : x n  1  (x  1)(x n1  x n2  .....  x  1)

 (sin   i cos  )  i2 sin   i cos   i(cos   i sin  )

62 Complex Numbers

(3) Cube roots of unity : Cube roots of unity are the solution set of the equation x 3  1  0 
2k   2k  
x  (1)1 / 3  x  (cos 0  i sin 0)1 / 3  x  cos  i sin   , where k  0,1,2
3  3 
2 2 4 4
Therefore roots are 1, cos  i sin , cos  i sin or 1, e 2 i / 3 , e 4  i / 3 .
3 3 3 3
Alternative : x  (1)1 / 3  x 3  1  0  (x  1)(x 2  x  1)  0
1  i 3 1  i 3
x  1, ,
2 2
If one of the complex roots is  , then other root will be  2 or vice-versa.
Properties of cube roots of unity
(i) 1     2  0
(ii)  3  1
0, if r not a multiple of 3
(iii) 1   r   2 r  
3, if r is a multiple of 3
(iv)    2 and ( )2   and  .   3 .
(v) Cube roots of unity from a G.P.
(vi) Imaginary cube roots of unity are square of each other i.e., ()2   2 and
( 2 )2   3 .    .
1 1
(vii) Imaginary cube roots of unity are reciprocal to each other i.e.,   2 and .
 2
(viii) The cube roots of unity by, when represented on complex plane, lie on vertices of an
equilateral triangle inscribed in a unit circle having centre at origin, one vertex being on
positive real axis.
(ix) A complex number a  ib, for which | a : b |  1 : 3 or 3 : 1, can always be expressed in terms
of i, ,  2 .
1  i 3 1  i 3
Note : If 
2
 e 2 i / 3 , then 2 
2
 e  4  i / 3  e  2 i / 3 or vice-versa

 .   3 .
 a  b   c 2  0  a  b  c, if a, b, c are real.
 Cube root of – 1 are  1,, 2 .
Important Tips
 x  x  1  (x   )(x   )
2 2

 x 2  x  1  x    x   2 
 
x 2  xy  y 2  x  y   x  y  2  
 x 2  xy  y 2  x  y   x  y  2 
 x  y  (x  iy)(x  iy)
2 2
 x  y  (x  y ) (x  y  ) (x  y  )
3 3 2

 x 3  y 3  (x  y ) (x  y  ) (x  y  2 )  x 2  y 2  z 2  xy  yz  zx  (x  y   z 2 )(x  y  2  z)

 x 3  y 3  z 3  3 xyz  (x  y  z ) (x   y   2 z ) (x   2 y   z )
 Complex Numbers 63

Fourth roots of unity : The four, fourth roots of unity are given by the solution set of the
equation x 4  1  0.  (x 2  1)(x 2  1)  0  x   1,  i

Note : Sum of roots = 0 and product of roots =–1.

 Fourth roots of unity are vertices of a square which lies on coordinate axes.
Continued product of the roots
If z  r(cos   i sin  ) i.e., | z |  r and amp (z )   then continued product of roots of z 1 / n is
n 1
2m   
 r(cos   i sin  ) , where   
m 0 n
 (n  1)   .

z , if n is odd
Thus continued product of roots of z 1 / n  r[cos{(n  1)   }  i sin{( n  1)   }]  
 z , if n is even
 m
z , if n is odd
Similarly, the continued product of values of z m / n is  
 m
(-z) , if n is even

Important Tips
1 1 1 1 1
 If x   2 cos  or x   2i sin  then x  cos   i sin  ,  cos   i sin  , x n  n  2 cos n  , x n  n  2i sin n  .
x x x x x
n
1 n
 If n be a positive integer then , (1  i)n  (1  i)n  2 2 cos .
4
 If z is a complex number, then e z is periodic.
 nth root of –1 are the solution of the equation z n  1  0
z n  1  (z  1)(z   )(z   2 ).....( z   n 1 ), where   n th root of unity
(n  2 ) / 2
2r
z n  1  (z  1)(z  1)  r 1
(z 2  2 z cos
n
 1), if n is even.

 (n  2) / 2   (2r  1)  

 
 r 0 
 z  2 z cos 
2

 n
  1, if n is even.
 
z 1  
n
(n - 3)/2
  2  (2r  1)  
(z  1)

r 0 
 z  2 z cos 
 n
  1, if n is odd.
 
 If x  cos   i sin , y  cos   i sin  , z  cos   i sin  and given, x  y  z  0, then
1 1 1
(i)    0 (ii) yz  zx  xy  0 (iii) x 2  y 2  z 2  0 (iv) x 3  y 3  z 3  3 xyz
x y z
then, putting, values if x, y, z in these results
cos(    )  cos(   )  cos(   )  0
x  y  z  0  cos   cos   cos   0  sin   sin   sin   yz  zx  xy  0  
sin(   )  sin(   )  sin(   )  0


x2  y2  z2  0  
 cos 2  0 the summation consists 3 terms

  sin 2  0,
x 3  y 3  z 3  3 xyz , gives similarly

cos 3  3 cos(     )   sin 3  3 sin(     )

64 Complex Numbers

If the condition given be x  y  z  xyz , then cos   cos(     ) etc.

Example: 60 If the cube roots of unity be 1, ,  2 , then the roots of the equation (x  1)3  8  0 are
[DCE 2000; IIT 1979; UPSEAT 1986]
(a)  1,1  2,1  2 2 (b)  1,1  2,1  2 2 (c) 1,1,1 (d) None of these
Solution: (c) (x  1)  8  x  1  (8)
3 1/3
 x  1  2,2,2 2
 x  1, 1  2 , 1  2 2

Example: 61  is an imaginary cube root of unity. If (1   )  (1   4 )m , then least positive integral value of m is
2 m

[IIT Screening 2004]

(a) 6 (b) 5 (c) 4 (d) 3
Solution: (d) The given equation reduces to ( )m  ( 2 )m   m  1  m  3 .
Example: 62 If  is the cube root of unity, then (3  5  3 2 ) 2  (3  3  5 2 ) 2 = [MP PET 1999]
(a) 4 (b) 0 (c) – 4 (d) None of these
Solution: (c) (3  5  3 )  (3  3  5 )
2 2 2 2
 (3  3  3  2 )  (3  3  3  2 )
2 2 2 2 2

= 2   (2 )  4  4  4(1)   4

2 2 2 2 4
(1     2  0,  3  1)
334 365
   1 i 3
Example: 63 If i   1 , then 4  5   1  i 3   3    is equal to [IIT 1999]
 2 2   2 2 
 
(a) 1  i 3 (b)  1  i 3 (c) i 3 (d)  i 3
334 365
 1 3   1 3 
Solution: (c) Given equation is 4  5    i  3   i
 2 2   2 2 
 
 1  i 3 
 4  5 334  3 365  4  5  3 2 1  2  1  2  i 3
 2 
 
Example: 64 Let  is an imaginary cube root of unity then the value of
2(  1)( 2  1)  3(2  1)(2 2  1)  .....  (n  1)(n   1)(n  2  1) is [Orissa JEE 2002]
2 2 2
 n(n  1)   n(n  1)   n(n  1) 
(a)   n (b)   (c)   n (d) None of these
 2   2   2 
n
Solution: (a) 2(  1)( 2  1)  3(2  1)(2 2  1)  .....  (n  1)(n   1)(n  2  1)  (r  1)(r  1)(r
r 1
2
 1)

n n n n n 2
 n(n  1) 
 
r 1
(r  1)(r 2 3  r r 2  1)  
r 1
(r  1)(r 2  r  1)  
r 1
(r 3  r 2  r  r 2  r  1)  
r 1
(r 3 )  
r 1
(1)  
 2 
  n.

Example: 65 The roots of the equation x 4  1  0 , are [MP PET 1986]

(a) 1,1, i,i (b) 1,1, i,i (c) 1,1,  , 2
(d) None of these
Solution: (b) Given equation x  1  0  (x  1)(x  1)  0  x  1 and x  1
4 2 2 2 2
 x  1,i

2.18 Shifting the Origin in Case of Complex Numbers.

Let O be the origin and P be a point with affix z 0 . Let a point Q Y Y
has affix z with respect to the co-ordinate system passing through Q

O. X
x P (z0)
When origin is shifted to the point P(z 0 ) then the new affix Z of
X
the point Q with respect to new origin P is given by Z  z  z 0 i.e., to O M

shift the origin at z 0 we should replace z by Z  z 0 .

 Complex Numbers 65

Example: 66 If z 1 , z 2 , z 3 are the vertices of an equilateral triangle with z 0 as its circumcentre then changing origin
to z 0 , then (where z1 , z 2 , z 3 are new complex numbers of the vertices)

(a) z12  z 22  z 32  0 (b) z1z 2  z 2 z 3  z3 z1  0 (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these

Solution: (a) In an equilateral triangle the circumcentre and the centroid are the same point. So,
z1  z 2  z 3
z0   z 1  z 2  z 3  3z 0 ..... (i)
3
To shift the origin at z 0 , we have to replace z 1 , z 2 , z 3 and z 0 by z1  z0 , z 2  z0 , z 3  z0 and 0  z 0 then
equation (i) becomes (z1  z0 )  (z 2  z0 )  (z 3  z0 )  3(0  z0 )  z1  z 2  z 3  0

On squaring z12  z 22  z 32  2(z1 z 2  z 2 z 3  z 3 z1 )  0 ..... (ii)

But triangle with vertices z1 , z 2 and z 3 is equilateral, then z12  z 22  z 32  z1 z 2  z 2 z 3  z 3 z1 .....(iii)

From (ii) and (iii) we get, 3 (z12  z 22  z 32 )  0 . Therefore, z12  z 22  z 32  0 .

2.19 Inverse Points.

(1) Inverse points with respect to a line : Two points P and Q are said to be the inverse points
with respect to the line RS. If Q is the image of P in RS, i.e., if the line RS is the right bisector of
PQ.
P

R S

(2) Inverse points with respect to a circle : If C is the centre of the circle and P,Q are the
inverse points with respect to the circle then three points C,P,Q are collinear, and also CP . CQ
 r 2 , where r is the radius of the circle.

Q
C P

Example: 67 z 1 , z 2 , are the inverse points with respect to the line z a  a z  b if

(a) z1 a  z 2 a  b (b) z 1 a  a z 2  b (c) z 1 a  a z 2  b (d) None of these

Solution: (b) Let RS be the line represented by the equation z a  a z  b .....(i) P  z1

Let P and Q are the inverse points with respect to the line RS.
The point Q is the reflection (inverse) of the point P in the line R S
A(z
RS if the line RS is the right bisector of PQ. Take any point z in )
the line RS, then lines joining z to P and z to Q are equal.
Q  z2
66 Complex Numbers

i.e., | z  z 1 | | z  z 2 | or | z  z 1 | 2 | z  z 2 | 2

i.e., (z  z 1 )(z  z 1 )  (z  z 2 )(z  z 2 )  z (z 2  z 1 )  z (z 2  z 1 )  (z 1 z 1  z 2 z 2 )  0 .....(ii)

Hence, equations (i) and (ii) are identical, therefore comparing coefficients, we get

a a b z1a az 2 b z a  az 2  b
  So that,    1
z 2  z1 z 2  z1 z1 z1  z 2 z 2 z 1 (z 2  z 1 ) z 2 (z 2  z 1 ) z 1 z 1  z 2 z 2 0

(By ratio and proportion rule)

Hence, z 1 a  a z 2  b = 0 or z 1 a  a z 2  b.

Example: 68 Inverse of a point a with respect to the circle | z  c |  R (a and c are complex numbers, centre C and
R2
radius R) is the point c 
a c
R2 R2 R
(a) c  (b) c  (c) c  (d) None of these
a c a c c a
Solution: (a) Let a' be the inverse point of a with respect to the circle | z  c |  R, then by definition the points c, a,
a' are collinear.
We have, arg(a'c)  arg(a  c)  arg(a  c) ( argz  argz)
 arg(a'c)  arg(a  c)  0  arg{(a'c)(a  c )}  0
C a'
a
 (a'c)(a  c ) is purely real and positive. |z – c| = R
By definition | a'c | | a  c |  R 2
( CP . CQ  r )2

 | a'c | | a  c |  R 2
(| z | | z |)

 | (a'c)(a  c )|  R 2  (a'c)(a  c )  R 2 { (a'c)(a  c) is purely real and positive}

R2 R2
 a'  c  . Therefore, the inverse point a' of a point a, a'  c  .
a c a c

2.20 Dot and Cross Product.

Let z 1  a1  ib1  (a1 , b1 ) and z 2  a 2  ib 2  (a 2 , b 2 ) be two complex numbers.
z 2  0 | z 2 | i Z2(a2,
If  POQ   then from coni method  e b 2)
z1  0 | z1 |
z 2 z 1 | z 2 | i z z | z |
  e  2 12  2 e i  z 2 z 1 | z 1 || z 2 | e i 
Z1(a1,
z1 z1 | z1 | | z1 | | z1 | b1 )
O
 z 2 z 1 | z 1 || z 2 | (cos   i sin  )
 Re( z 2 z 1 ) | z 1 || z 2 | cos  .....(i) and Im(z 2 z 1 ) | z 1 || z 2 | sin  .....(ii)
The dot product z 1 and z 2 is defined by z 1 o z 2 | z 1 | | z 2 | cos   Re( z 1 z 2 )  a1 a 2  b1 b 2
(From(i))
Cross product of z 1 and z 2 is defined by z 1  z 2 | z 1 | | z 2 | sin   Im(z 1 z 2 )  a1 b 2  a 2 b1
(From(ii))
Hence, z 1 oz 2  a1 a 2  b1 b 2  Re( z 1 z 2 ) and z 1  z 2  a1 b 2  a 2 b1  Im(z 1 z 2 )

Important Tips
 If z 1 and z 2 are perpendicular then z 1 o z 2  0  If z 1 and z 2 are parallel then z 1  z 2  0
 Complex Numbers 67

 Projection of z 1 on z 2  (z 1 o z 2 ) / | z 2 |  Projection of z 2 on z 1  (z 1 o z 2 ) / | z 1 |

1
 Area of triangle if two sides represented by z 1 and z 2 is | z1  z 2 |  Area of a parallelogram having sides
2
z 1 and z 2 is | z 1  z 2 |

1
 Area of parallelogram if diagonals represents by z 1 and z 2 is | z1  z 2 |
2

Example: 69 If z 1  2  5i, z 2  3  i then projection of z 1 on z 2 is

(a) 1/10 (b) 1 / 10 (c) 7 / 10 (d) None of these

z1o z 2 a1 a 2  b 1 b 2 1
Solution: (b) Projection of z 1 on z 2    .
| z2 | a 22  b 22 10

***