ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS 1

BMFG 1313
COMPLEX NUMBER
- Introduction and Its Properties
- Powers of the Complex Number

Irma Wani Jamaludin1, Ser Lee Loh2

[email protected], [email protected]
 Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Use the properties of complex number to solve an equation.

2. Apply Euler’s and De Moivre’s method to solve operations of
complex number.
4.1 Introduction and its Properties

Complex numbers have practical applications in many fields, including biology,

chemistry, physics, economics, electrical engineering, and statistics.

A complex number is expressed in the Cartesian form

𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏
where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are real numbers and 𝑗𝑗 is the imaginary unit, where j2 = −1.

The number 𝑎𝑎 is the real part of 𝑧𝑧, denoted by Re 𝑧𝑧, and 𝑏𝑏 is the imaginary part
of 𝑧𝑧, denoted by Im 𝑧𝑧.
4.1 Introduction and its Properties

For example:
a) Given 𝑧𝑧 = 5 − j6, thus,
Re 𝑧𝑧 = 5 and Im 𝑧𝑧 = −6

b) Given 𝑧𝑧 = −2 + j3, thus,

Re 𝑧𝑧 = −2 and Im 𝑧𝑧 = 3

The set of all complex numbers is denoted by ℂ.

4.1 Introduction and its Properties

Complex Roots:
A quadratic equation 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 = 0 has complex roots when 𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 < 0.

Example: −4 = −1 × 4
Find the root of 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 5 = 0. = −1 × 4
= j2
Solution:

−𝑏𝑏 ± 𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 4 ± 16 − 4(1)(5)

𝑥𝑥 = =
2𝑎𝑎 2(1)
4 ± −4 4 ± j2
= = =2±j
2 2
4.1.1 Argand Diagram

Complex numbers can be represented geometrically similar to a point in Cartesian

Coordinates system as follows:

Im 𝑧𝑧
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏
𝑏𝑏 = Im 𝑧𝑧

0
Re 𝑧𝑧
𝑎𝑎 = Re 𝑧𝑧

Argand Diagram of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏

4.1.1 Argand Diagram

Example: Example:
Argand diagram of 𝑧𝑧 = 4 + j2 is Argand diagram of 𝑧𝑧 = −2 + j3 is

Im 𝑧𝑧 Im 𝑧𝑧

2 𝑧𝑧 = 4 + j2 𝑧𝑧 = −2 + j3
3

Re 𝑧𝑧 Re 𝑧𝑧
0 4
−2 0
4.1.2 Equality

If 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑎𝑎1 + j𝑏𝑏1 is equal to 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑏𝑏2 , then 𝑎𝑎1 = 𝑎𝑎2 and 𝑏𝑏1 = 𝑏𝑏2 .

Example:
Find the values of 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞 if 𝑧𝑧1 = 2 − 𝑝𝑝 − j5 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 10 + j(𝑞𝑞 + 4) are
equal.

Solution:
2 − 𝑝𝑝 = 10 ⇒ 𝑝𝑝 = −8
𝑞𝑞 + 4 = −5 ⇒ 𝑞𝑞 = −9
4.1.3 Addition and Subtraction

If 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑎𝑎1 + j𝑏𝑏1 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑏𝑏2 , then

𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑎2 + j(𝑏𝑏1 + 𝑏𝑏2 )

and
𝑧𝑧1 − 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎1 − 𝑎𝑎2 + j(𝑏𝑏1 − 𝑏𝑏2 )
4.1.3 Addition and Subtraction

Example:
Given 𝑧𝑧1 = 13 − j6 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 7 + j12, find 𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 and 𝑧𝑧1 − 𝑧𝑧2 .

Solution:
𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 = 13 + 7 + j −6 + 12 = 20 + j6

𝑧𝑧1 − 𝑧𝑧2 = 13 − 7 + j −6 − 12 = 6 − j18

4.1.3 Addition and Subtraction

Example:
Given 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 = 2 − j4. If 𝑧𝑧1 = −1 + j3 , find 𝑧𝑧2 .

Solution:
−1 + j3 + 𝑧𝑧2 = 2 − j4
𝑧𝑧2 = 2 − j4 − −1 + j3
= 3 − j7
4.1.4 Multiplication

If 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑎𝑎1 + j𝑏𝑏1 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑏𝑏2 , then

𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎1 + j𝑏𝑏1 (𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑏𝑏2 )

j2 = −1
= 𝑎𝑎1 𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑎𝑎1 𝑏𝑏2 + j𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏1 + j2 𝑏𝑏1 𝑏𝑏2
= (𝑎𝑎1 𝑎𝑎2 − 𝑏𝑏1 𝑏𝑏2 ) + j(𝑎𝑎1 𝑏𝑏2 + 𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏1 )
4.1.4 Multiplication

Example:
Given 𝑧𝑧1 = −2 + j3 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 4 + j7, find 𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 .

Solution:
𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 = (−2 + j3)(4 + j7)
j2 = −1
= −8 − j14 + j12 + j2 21
= −29 − j2
4.1.4 Multiplication

Example:
Find 𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 if 𝑧𝑧1 = 1 − j2 and 𝑧𝑧2 = −2 − j2.

Solution:
𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 = (1 − j2)(−2 − j2)
j2 = −1
= −2 − j2 + j4 + j2 4
= −6 + j2
4.1.5 Division

Multiply “top and bottom”

If 𝑧𝑧1 = 𝑎𝑎1 + j𝑏𝑏1 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑏𝑏2 , then with conjugate of denominator

𝑧𝑧1 𝑎𝑎1 + j𝑏𝑏1 (𝑎𝑎2 − j𝑏𝑏2 )

= ×
𝑧𝑧2 (𝑎𝑎2 + j𝑏𝑏2 ) (𝑎𝑎2 − j𝑏𝑏2 )
𝑎𝑎1 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏1 𝑏𝑏2 + j(−𝑎𝑎1 𝑏𝑏2 + 𝑏𝑏1 𝑎𝑎2 )
=
𝑎𝑎22 + 𝑏𝑏22
4.1.5 Division

Example:
𝑧𝑧
Given 𝑧𝑧1 = −2 + j3 and 𝑧𝑧2 = 4 + j7, find 1 .
𝑧𝑧2

Solution:
𝑧𝑧1 −2 + j3 (4 − j7) −8 + j14 + j12 − j2 21
= × =
𝑧𝑧2 (4 + j7) (4 − j7) 16 + 49
13 + j26 1 2
= = +j
Multiply “top and bottom” 65 5 5
with conjugate of denominator
4.1.5 Division

Example:
𝑧𝑧1
Find 𝑧𝑧 = if 𝑧𝑧1 = 1 − j2 and 𝑧𝑧2 = −2 − j2.
𝑧𝑧2

Solution:
1 − j2 (−2 + j2) −2 + j2 + j4 − j2 4
𝑧𝑧 = × =
(−2 − j2) (−2 + j2) 4+4
2 + j6 1 3
= = +j
Multiply “top and bottom” 8 4 4
with conjugate of denominator
4.1.6 Complex Conjugate

The complex conjugate of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏 is 𝑧𝑧̅ = 𝑎𝑎 − j𝑏𝑏 (by reversing the sign of the
imaginary part).
In the Argand diagram, conjugate of a complex number is the image of reflection of the
complex number over Re z axis (x-axis).
Some properties:
𝑧𝑧 + 𝑧𝑧̅ = 2𝑎𝑎
𝑧𝑧 − 𝑧𝑧̅ = 2j𝑏𝑏
𝑧𝑧𝑧𝑧̅ = 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏 2
𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 = 𝑧𝑧�1 𝑧𝑧�2
4.1.7 Modulus and Argument

The modulus of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏 is defined by

𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏 2
Argument of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏 is the angle between the positive real axis and the point
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏), as shown below, where −𝜋𝜋 ≤ 𝜃𝜃 ≤ 𝜋𝜋.
Im 𝑧𝑧 Im 𝑧𝑧
𝑧𝑧 𝑧𝑧

𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃
Re 𝑧𝑧 Re 𝑧𝑧

Im 𝑧𝑧 Im 𝑧𝑧

Re 𝑧𝑧 −𝜃𝜃 Re 𝑧𝑧
−𝜃𝜃
𝑧𝑧
𝑧𝑧 Arguments in different quadrants
4.1.7 Modulus and Argument

Im 𝑧𝑧

𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏
𝑏𝑏
𝜃𝜃 Re 𝑧𝑧
0 𝑎𝑎

Argument of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏 is written as arg 𝑧𝑧 = 𝜃𝜃

and
−1 𝑏𝑏
𝜃𝜃 = tan .
𝑎𝑎
4.1.7 Modulus and Argument

Example:
Given 𝑧𝑧 = 2 + j3, find the modulus and argument of 𝑧𝑧.

Solution:
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎2 + 𝑏𝑏 2 = (2)2 +(3)2 = 13
3
arg 𝑧𝑧 = tan−1 = 0.9828
2
4.1.7 Modulus and Argument

Example:
Find the modulus and argument of
a) −3 + j5
b) −4 − j4
c) 8 − j5
4.1.7 Modulus and Argument

Solution:
Im 𝑧𝑧
𝑧𝑧
a) 𝑧𝑧 = (−3)2 +(5)2 = 34 5
𝜃𝜃
5 Re 𝑧𝑧
arg 𝑧𝑧 = 𝜋𝜋 − tan−1 = 2.1112 −3
3

b) 𝑧𝑧 = (−4)2 +(−4)2 = 32 Im 𝑧𝑧
−4
Re 𝑧𝑧
4 −𝜃𝜃
arg 𝑧𝑧 = − 𝜋𝜋 − tan−1 = −2.3562 −4
4
𝑧𝑧
c) 𝑧𝑧 = (8)2 +(−5)2 = 89 Im 𝑧𝑧 8
5 −𝜃𝜃 Re 𝑧𝑧
arg 𝑧𝑧 = − tan−1 = −0.5586
8 −5 𝑧𝑧
Exercise 4.1:

1) Find the roots of −5𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 − 2 = 0.

2) Sketch the Argand diagram for 𝑧𝑧 = −2 + j6 and 𝑧𝑧 = 4 − j5.

3) Find the values of 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣 if 𝑧𝑧1 = 2 + 𝑢𝑢 − j(𝑣𝑣 − 4) and 𝑧𝑧2 = (2𝑣𝑣 − 3) + j(𝑢𝑢 + 1)
are equal.
𝑧𝑧1
4) Given 𝑧𝑧1 = 8 − j2 and 𝑧𝑧2 = −1 + j4, find 𝑧𝑧1 + 𝑧𝑧2 , 𝑧𝑧1 − 𝑧𝑧2 , 𝑧𝑧1 𝑧𝑧2 and .
𝑧𝑧2

−8+j4
5) Express in the form 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏 for (3 − j5)(−2 + j3) and respectively.
(1−j2)

1 39 8 1 16 30 16 12
[Ans: ±j ; 𝑣𝑣 = , 𝑢𝑢 = ; 7 + j2, 9 − j6, j34, − −j ; 9 + j19, − −j ]
10 10 3 3 17 17 5 5
Exercise 4.1:

1 j4
6) Express − in the form of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏.
3−j −1+j2

7) Given 𝑧𝑧 = 3 − j4, express 𝑧𝑧𝑧𝑧̅ in the form of 𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏.

8) Find the modulus and argument of
a) 15 + j20
b) 8 − j4
c) −13 + j9
d) −6 − j3

13 9
[Ans: − +j ; 25; 25 0.9273 , 80 −0.4636 , 250 2.5360 , 45(−2.6779)]
10 10
4.2 Powers of Complex Numbers

4.2.1 Polar Form of a Complex Number

Im 𝑧𝑧
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑎𝑎 + j𝑏𝑏
𝑏𝑏
𝜃𝜃 Re 𝑧𝑧
0 𝑎𝑎
From the diagram above, let 𝑟𝑟 = 𝑧𝑧 , we have
𝑎𝑎 = 𝑟𝑟 cos 𝜃𝜃 and 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑟𝑟 sin 𝜃𝜃
Hence, a complex number can be expressed in polar form as follows:
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟 cos 𝜃𝜃 + j 𝑟𝑟 sin 𝜃𝜃
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟(cos 𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝜃𝜃)
4.2.1 Polar Form of a Complex Number

Example:
Express the following complex numbers in polar form.
a) −3 + j4
b) 4 − j2
4.2.1 Polar Form of a Complex Number

Solution:
a) 𝑧𝑧 = (−3)2 +(4)2 = 5
Im 𝑧𝑧
4
𝑧𝑧
arg 𝑧𝑧 = 𝜋𝜋 − tan−1 = 2.2143
3 4 𝜃𝜃
Re 𝑧𝑧
−3 + j4 = 5(cos(2.2143) + j sin(2.2143)) 3

b) 𝑧𝑧 = (4)2 +(−2)2 = 20
2
arg 𝑧𝑧 = − tan−1 = −0.4634 Im 𝑧𝑧
4 4
Re 𝑧𝑧
4 − j2 = 20(cos(−0.4634) + j sin(−0.4634)) −𝜃𝜃 2

= 20(cos(0.4634) − j sin(0.4634)) 𝑧𝑧
4.2.2 Exponential Form of a Complex Number

This formula is known as Euler’s formula:

𝑒𝑒 j𝜃𝜃 = cos 𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝜃𝜃

By substituting Euler’s formula into polar form,

𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟(cos 𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝜃𝜃)
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒 j𝜃𝜃

and this is known as exponential form of the complex number, 𝑧𝑧.

4.2.2 Exponential Form of a Complex Number

Example:
Express the following complex numbers in exponential form.
a) −3 + j4
b) 4 − j2
4.2.2 Exponential Form of a Complex Number

Solution:
Im 𝑧𝑧
a) 𝑧𝑧 = (−3)2 +(4)2 = 5 𝑧𝑧
4
arg 𝑧𝑧 = 𝜋𝜋 − tan−1 = 2.2143 4 𝜃𝜃
3 Re 𝑧𝑧
j2.2143 3
−3 + j4 = 5𝑒𝑒

b) 𝑧𝑧 = (4)2 +(−2)2 = 20
Im 𝑧𝑧
2 4
arg 𝑧𝑧 = − tan−1 = −0.4634 Re 𝑧𝑧
4 −𝜃𝜃 2
4 − j2 = 20𝑒𝑒 j −0.4634
= 20𝑒𝑒 −j0.4634 𝑧𝑧
4.2.2 Exponential Form of a Complex Number

Example:
Express the following complex numbers in Cartesian form.
a) 12𝑒𝑒 j0.3578
b) 9e2−j3.1213
4.2.2 Exponential Form of a Complex Number

Solution:
a) 𝑟𝑟 = 12, 𝜃𝜃 = 0.3578
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟 cos 𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝜃𝜃
= 12(cos 0.3578 + j sin 0.3578)
= 11.2400 + j4.2026

b) 𝑟𝑟 = 9𝑒𝑒 2 , 𝜃𝜃 = −3.1213
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟 cos 𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝜃𝜃 9𝑒𝑒 2−j3.1213 = 9𝑒𝑒 2 𝑒𝑒 −j3.1213
= 9𝑒𝑒 2 (cos(−3.1213) + j sin(−3.1213))
= −66.4878 − j1.3494
4.2.3 Power of Complex Numbers

From the exponential form

𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒 j𝜃𝜃
The power of n of the equation is
𝑛𝑛
𝑧𝑧 𝑛𝑛 = 𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑒 j𝜃𝜃

𝑧𝑧 𝑛𝑛 = 𝑟𝑟 𝑛𝑛 𝑒𝑒 j𝑛𝑛𝜃𝜃
By using the Euler’s formula, for any 𝑛𝑛,

𝑧𝑧 𝑛𝑛 = 𝑟𝑟 𝑛𝑛 (cos 𝑛𝑛𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝑛𝑛𝜃𝜃)

and this is known as De Moivre’s Theorem

4.2.3 Power of Complex Numbers
Example:
Express 5 − j2 in polar form and then evaluate (5 − j2)4 .
Solution:
2
𝑟𝑟 = 52 + (−2)2 = 29, 𝜃𝜃 = − tan−1
= −0.3805
5
𝑧𝑧 = 𝑟𝑟 cos 𝜃𝜃 + j sin 𝜃𝜃 = 29(cos −0.3805 + j sin(−0.3805))
By using De Moivre’s theorem,
𝑧𝑧 4 = 𝑟𝑟 4 (cos 4𝜃𝜃 + j sin 4𝜃𝜃)
(5 − j2)4 = ( 29)4 (cos(−1.522) + j sin(−1.522))
= 841(0.0488 − j0.9988)
= 41.0408 − j839.9908
4.2.3 Power of Complex Numbers

Commonly, De Moivre’s theorem is used to find the roots of complex numbers

like 𝑧𝑧 and 3 𝑧𝑧. In general, we want to find the 𝑛𝑛th root of 𝑧𝑧, which is 𝑧𝑧1/𝑛𝑛 ,
where 𝑛𝑛 is natural numbers. By setting 𝑤𝑤 = 𝑧𝑧1/𝑛𝑛 (which gives z = 𝑤𝑤 𝑛𝑛 ) and
some mathematical proving, we have

𝜃𝜃 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜃𝜃 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑧𝑧1/𝑛𝑛 = 𝑟𝑟1/𝑛𝑛 cos + + j sin + , 𝑘𝑘 = 0,1, … , 𝑛𝑛 − 1
𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛

and
𝜃𝜃 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
j + 𝑛𝑛
𝑧𝑧1/𝑛𝑛 = 1/𝑛𝑛
𝑟𝑟 𝑒𝑒 𝑛𝑛 , 𝑘𝑘 = 0,1, … , 𝑛𝑛 − 1
4.2.3 Power of Complex Numbers

Example:
Given 𝑧𝑧 = −3 + j2, evaluate 𝑧𝑧1/2 .

Solution:
2
𝑟𝑟 = (−3)2 +(2)2 = 13 and 𝜃𝜃 = 𝜋𝜋 − tan−1 = 2.5536
3
𝜃𝜃 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜃𝜃 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
From formula 𝑧𝑧1/𝑛𝑛 = 𝑟𝑟1/𝑛𝑛 cos + + j sin + ,
𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛

2.5536 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 2.5536 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋

𝑧𝑧1/2 =( 13)1/2 cos + + j sin + , 𝑘𝑘 = 0,1
2 2 2 2
4.2.3 Power of Complex Numbers

For 𝑘𝑘 = 0,
𝑧𝑧1/2 = ( 13)1/2 cos(1.2768) + j sin 1.2768 = 0.5502 + j1.8174
For 𝑘𝑘 = 1,
𝑧𝑧1/2 = ( 13)1/2 cos 4.4184 + j sin 4.4184 = −0.5502 − j1.8174
Exercise 4.2:

1) Express the following complex numbers in polar form and exponential form.
a) 4 − j6
b) −7 + j5
c) −10 − j11
2) Express the following complex numbers in Cartesian form.
a) 𝑒𝑒 j1.1456
b) 6𝑒𝑒 −3+j2.6524
c) 4𝑒𝑒 2+j0.6728

[Ans: 52 −0.9828 , 74 2.5213 , 221 −2.3086 ; 0.4125 + j0.9110, −0.2637 + j0.1404,23.1153 + j18.4188]
Exercise 4.2:

3) Evaluate (2 − j6)3 and (−3 + j4)7 .

4) Evaluate (4 − j5)1/3 .

[Ans: −208.0198 + j143.9714; −76443.2894 + j16122.6278;

𝑘𝑘 = 0 1.7747 − j0.5464 ,

𝑘𝑘 = 1 −0.4141 + j1.8101 ,

𝑘𝑘 = 2 −1.3606 − j1.2636 ]