Complex Numbers

Rules for Complex Numbers

 A complex number is:

1. An algebraic number following rules of mathematical

operations: sum, product, subtraction etc.

2. A point in on the coordinate axis following the rules of

coordinate geometry such as section formula, distance
formula etc.

3. A vector having magnitude and direction

 Z as a Vector
 The magnitude of z is |Z|

 The direction is
determined by the angle θ
 Complex numbers follow addition
and subtraction properties
of vectors
 Z as a Vector
 Z1 – Z2 is a vector joining Z1 and Z2 and points from Q to P

 |Z1 – Z2| is the distance between points P

and Q
 Arg(Z1–Z2) is π–θ

We have placed the starting point Q

on the origin and it makes π–θ
angle with X-axis
 Example
 If PQRS is a parallelogram, and the complex numbers z1, z2, z3
correspond to P, Q, R, find the complex number corresponding
to S

Diagonals of ||gm bisect each other

 ZO = (Z1+Z3)/2 = (ZS+Z2)/2

 ZS+Z2 = Z1+Z3

 ZS = Z1+Z3–Z2
 Distance
 We can express |Z1 – Z2| as the distance between
vectors

If |Z–2+5i| = 3, then the distance between (2–5i) and

position vector Z is 3

The locus of Z is a circle with radius 3 and centered at

(2,–5)
 Angle between Vectors
 If Arg|Z–ZO| = θ, then locus of Z is a ray that
originates at ZO at an angle θ
 Example
 Find the locus of point Z if arg|5–2i–Z| = π/3

If arg|Z–(5–2i)| = π/3, then the locus of Z is a ray

originating from (5,2i) at angle of π/3

However, since arg|(5–2i)–Z| = π/3, Z will be a ray

towards (5,2i) at angle of π/3
 Algebra
 a2+b2 = 0 does not mean a = b = 0

Instead a2+b2 = a2 – (ib)2 = (a+ib)(a–ib)

 a2+b2 = (a+ib)(a–ib)

This is an important factorization identity

Now, let’s solve a2+b2 = 0

(a+ib)(a–ib) = 0

 a = ±ib
 Algebra
 If √(ab) = √(a)√(b), then at least one out of a and b is
non–negative

Let them be –1 and –4

 LHS: √[(–1)(–1)] = 1

 RHS: √(–1)√(–1) = i*i = –1

 Algebra
 ZZ = |Z|2

Proof: Let Z be a+ib, and its conjugate will be a–ib

 LHS: (a+ib)(a–ib) = a2+b2

RHS:|Z|2 = a2+b2

This manipulation is important for introducing

complex numbers in problems by removing |Z|2
 Algebra
 1/Z = Z/|Z|2

Since ZZ = |Z|2

Cross Multiplication: 1/Z = Z/|Z|2

This result is important when Z is in the denominator

and we need to take it in the numerator

This result is just the rationalization of Z in the

denominator by multiplying and dividing by Z
 Algebra
 Division: Z1 ÷ Z2

Let Z1 be a+ib and Z2 be c+id

 Z1/Z2 = [(a+ib)/(c+id)]*[(c–id)(c–id)]

 [(a+ib)(c–id)]/(c2+d2) = [(ac+bd)+i(bc–ad)]/(c2+d2)

 (ac+bd)/(c2+d2) + i(bc–ad)/(c2+d2)

For Division: We multiply and divide by the conjugate and

rationalize the denominator
 Example
 Find the locus of Z = a+ib if Real (1/Z) < 1/2

 1/Z = 1/(a+ib) = (a–ib)/(a2+b2)

 Real(1/Z) = a/(a2+b2) < ½

 a2+b2–2a > 0

 (a–1)2 + b2 > 1

Therefore, locus of Z is the region outside the circle centered (1,0)

and radius 1
 Coordinate System
 Complex Numbers follow the rules of coordinate
system:

Section Formula: If a point P divides A(z1) and B(z2) such

that AP:BP are in the ratio m:n

Then zp = (nz1+mz2)/(m+n)
 Coordinate System
 Triangle formed by three complex numbers:

The formulae for centroid, orthocenter, incenter,

circumcenter, area of triangle all remain the same
 Collinear points: If |z2–z1|+|z3–z2| = |z3–z1| then:

z1, z2, z3 are collinear points

 Example
 If Z1, Z2, Z3 are vertices of ∆ABC, and |z1–3| = |z2–3| = |z3–3| and
z1+z2+z3 = 9, then prove that ∆ABC is equilateral

Since |z1–3| = |z2–3| = |z3–3|

 z1, z2, z3 all lie on a circle centered at ZO(3,0)

We are also given: z1+z2+z3 = 9

 Centroid is (3,0)

Since centroid and circumcenter are the same, ∆ABC is equilateral