Course: Diploma in Chemical & Pharmaceutical Technology

Diploma in Biologics & Process Technology

Course Code: CLDF02 / CLDF05

Module Code: CLC101 / CLB101

Module: Algebra

Topic 4 : Complex Numbers

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Define complex number and its conjugate

2. Evaluate the addition/subtraction and multiplication/division of complex numbers.

3. Represent complex numbers in the Argand diagram.

4. Demonstrate the operation of addition/subtraction of complex numbers in the Argand

diagram.

5. Define the polar form (modulus, argument) of a complex number.

6. Convert complex numbers from polar form to rectangular form and vice-versa by
working and by the use of calculator.

7. Multiplication and division of complex numbers in polar form.

8. Demonstrate the geometrical effect of multiplication of complex numbers on Argand

diagram.

9. Identify the exponential form of the complex number.

10. Convert complex numbers in exponential form to rectangular and polar forms and vice-
versa.

11. State DeMoivre’s Theorem.

 Complex Numbers

4. Uses of Complex Numbers

(a) In Mathematics

Complex numbers allow solutions to certain equations that have no

solutions in real numbers.

(b) In Real Life

Complex numbers can be used to model and solve real-life problems in

electronics. For example, you can use complex numbers to find the
impedance of an electrical circuit.

(c) In Careers

There are many careers that use complex numbers. Several are listed
below.
 Electrical Engineers
 Quantum Physicists
 Sales Analyst
 Economists

4.1 Basic Properties of Complex Numbers

Recall that in the real number system, the equation

x 2  1

has no solution. This is because there was no real number such that its square is 1. So
we extend the number system to allow the quantity 1 to have a meaning.

We let j   1 (sometimes written as i)

 
2
j2  1  1

With this, we can simplify the following radical in terms of j:

(a) 0.04  1 0.04  0.2 j

9 9 3
(b)   1  j
16 16 4

(c)  72   1 2 36  6 2 j

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 Complex Numbers

(d)    
49 2 9  j 49 2 j 9      7 j  6 j   42 j 2
 42

(e)  7  7     j 7  7   7 j
However, we have to be mindful that although a  b  ab when a and b are positive.
This is not true when both are negative. For example,

2  3  j 2  j 3  j 2 6   6

but  2 3  6

so 2  3   2  3

Hence when multiplying radicals of negative numbers, express them first in the form
j r (where r  0 ) to avoid possible errors of this type.

Example 1

Solve 3 x 2  x  2  0 .

b  b2  4ac
Recall To solve ax 2  bx  c  0, we use x 
2a

1  1  4  3 2  1  23
Using formula x= =
2  3 6

1  1 23 1 23
Now j   1 , x =   j
6 6 6

1 23 1 23
  j or   j
6 6 6 6

or  0.167  0.799 j or  0.167  0.799 j

Both roots of x are known as complex numbers.

3-3
 Complex Numbers

Rectangular Form of a Complex Number

Real part
A complex number z (in rectangular form) is defined as the z  a  bj
sum of a real and imaginary number. We write
Re  z   a and Im  z   b , where a and b are arbitrary Imaginary Part
constants.

The following are examples of complex numbers (in rectangular form).

z  a  bj Real part, Re  z   a Imaginary part, Im  z   b

3 4 j 3 4
1 2 1 2
 j 
2 3 2 3
6j 0 6
7 7 0

Conjugate of a Complex Number

The conjugate of a complex number is obtained by changing the sign of its imaginary
part, i.e. the conjugate of  a  bj  is  a  bj  , where a and b are arbitrary constants.

If z = a + bj, then its conjugate is z  a  bj

The following are examples of complex numbers and their conjugate.

Complex number, z Conjugate, z

3 2 j 3 2 j
1 j 1 j
4j 4 j
5 5

Zero Complex Number

A complex number is zero if and only if the real term and the imaginary term are both
zero, that is

a  bj  0  a  0 and b  0

Equality of Complex Numbers

Two complex numbers z1  a1  b1 j and z2  a2  b2 j are equal if and only if they have
the same real and imaginary parts, that is

z1  z2  a1  b1 j  a2  b2 j  a1  a2 and b1  b2

3-4
 Complex Numbers

Example 2

Solve for x and y in the equation 7 x  2 j  4  2 yj  8  j

Solution:
12
Equating the real part, we have 7 x  4  8  7 x  12  x 
7
3
Equating the imaginary part, we have 2  2y 1  2y  3  y 
2

4.2 Algebraic Operations of Complex Number in Rectangular Form

Addition and Subtraction

To do addition or subtraction of complex numbers, separately combine the real parts and
then the imaginary parts.

 a  bj    c  dj    a  c    b  d  j
 a  bj    c  dj    a  c    b  d  j

where a, b, c and d are arbitrary constants.

Example 3

Evaluate the following in the form a  bj .

(a) 2 j   6  5 j  (b)  2  5 j    4  3 j  (c)  3  5 j    5  4 j    2  3 j 

Solution:

(a) 2 j   6  5 j   6  3 j
(b)  2  5 j    4  3 j   2  2 j
(c)  3  5 j    5  4 j    2  3 j   4  12 j

Multiplication

The distributive law of multiplication is used.

 a  bj  c  dj    ac  bd    ad  bc  j

Derivation:  a  bj  c  dj   ac  adj  bcj  bdj 2 Q j 2  1

 ac  adj  bcj  bd   ac  bd    ad  bc  j

Note :  a  bj  a  bj   a 2  b 2 j 2  a 2  b2

3-5
 Complex Numbers

Example 4
Evaluate the following in the form a  bj .

 
3
(a)  4  5 j  3  2 j  (b)  5  8 j  5  8 j  (c) 1  j 3

Solution:

(a)  4  5 j  3  2 j   22  7 j
(b)  5  8 j  5  8 j   89

 
3
 1  j   1  j 1  j   1  j  2 j   2  2 j
3 2
(c) 1  j 3

Division
To divide one complex number by another, we first multiply the numerator and the
denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. This will convert the denominator into
a real number.

a  bj  a  bj  c  dj  ac  bd   bc  ad  j
 
c  dj  c  dj  c  dj  c2  d 2

Example 5
Evaluate the following in the form a  bj .
45j 1 1
(a) (b)  5  3 j    5  3 j 
1 2 j

Solution:

4  5 j  4  5 j 1  2 j 
(a) 
1  2 j 1  2 j 1  2 j 
4  13 j  10 6  13 j 6 13
    j
5 5 5 5

1 1 1 1 5  3 j  5  3 j  6
(b)  5  3 j   5  3 j      j
5  3 j 5  3 j  5  3 j  5  3 j  34

3-6
 Complex Numbers

Example 6

In an alternating current circuit, two impedances z1 and z2 have a total impedance

zz
given by zT  1 2 . Find zT given z1  3 ohms and z2  1  j  ohms.
z1  z2

Solution:

z1 z2 3 1  j  1  j  4  j   5  3 j  15 9
Given zT  , zT  3 3   j
z1  z2 3 1 j  4  j  4  j   17  17 17

4.3 The Argand diagram (Complex Plane)

Consider the complex number in rectangular Im

form z  a  bj . We can think of this z  1  j
complex number as either the point  a, b  in z  a  bj
 1, 1
the standard Cartesian coordinate system or  a, b 
as the vector that starts at the origin and ends
at the point  a, b  . Such a coordinate system
is called the Argand diagram. An example of Re
the argand diagram with the location of z  1  j is shown above.

Example 7
Graph the following complex numbers
(a) 4 +2j (b) -3 +5j (c) -5-6j (d) 9 -4j (e) 12 (f) -3j

Solution:

3-7
 Complex Numbers

4.4 Polar Form of Complex Numbers

An alternative way of defining a point P in the argand Im

diagram, other than using the x- and y-coordinates, is to use
the distance of the point from the origin with the angle P  a, b 
subtended between the positive real axis and the line segment
OP in a counterclockwise direction. This idea leads to the r
polar form of complex numbers with parameters modulus r

and argument  or arg  z  . The modulus r is the distance Re
O
between the origin and point P; and the argument is the angle
of OP with the positive real axis.

A complex number written in rectangular form as a  bj

has the polar forms,
z  r  or z  r  cos   j sin  
b
where r  a 2  b 2 and tan 
a

While there may be many values for  that satisfy the given conditions, we will select
the value in the interval   ,   or  180,180 .

On the other hand, to convert complex numbers in polar form z  r   to rectangular

form z  a  bj , we can use the following relations.

a  r cos  and b  r sin 

Example 8
Find the polar form of the following complex numbers.
(a) z  1  j (b) z  3  j

Solution:

(a) Comparing z  1  j with z  a  bj , a  1 and b  1 .

Modulus, r  12  12  2
1 
Argument,  or arg  z   tan 1  or 45
1 4

 z  r    2 or  1.410.785 or  1.41 45
4

3-8
 Complex Numbers

(b) Comparing z  3  j with z  a  bj , a  3 and b  1.

Modulus, r  32  12  10

1
Argument,  or arg  z    tan 1  0.322 or  18.4
3

 z  r   10  0.322  or  3.16  0.322  or  3.16  18.4 

Example 9
Express the following complex numbers in rectangular form.

 5   
(a) z  2    (b) z  3   
 6   3

Solution:
 5   5 
(a) a  r cos   2 cos     1.73 and b  r sin   2sin     1
 6   6 

 5 
 z  2     1.73  j
 6 

  3   3 3
(b) a  r cos   3cos     and b  r sin   3sin     
 3 2  3 2

  3 3 3
 z  3      j
 3 2 2

3-9
 Complex Numbers

Conversion from Rectangular to Polar and Polar to Rectangular (using calculator)

Conversion between rectangular and polar form can be easily done using the calculator.

For example, to convert 3 + j4 to polar form using :

Casio Scientific Calculator ( fx-95MS / 85MS / 300MS / 350MS/ 82MS, etc):
Use DEG mode
Read Read
Pol( - 3 , 4 = 5 RCL tan 126.86…
(Modulus) (Argument)

Sharp Scientific Calculator (EL-509v / EL-531X/ EL-531XH / EL-531XG, etc):

Use DEG mode

rθ Read ←,→ Read

- 3 2nd STO 4 2ndF 8 5 2nd Exp 126.86…

(Modulus) (Argument)

What are the steps for your calculator?

To convert 5 126 .8 to rectangular form:

Casio Scientific Calculator ( fx-95MS / 85MS / 300MS / 350MS/ 82MS, etc):
Use DEG mode
Read Read

Rec( 5 , 126.8 = -2.99… RCL tan 4.003…

(Real part) (Imaginary part)

Sharp Scientific Calculator (EL-509v / EL-531X/ EL-531XH / EL-531XG, etc):

Use DEG mode
xy Read ←,→ Read
5 2nd STO 126.8 2nd 9 -2.99.. 2nd Exp 4.003…
(Real part) (Imaginary part)

What are the steps for your calculator?

Try these out.

(a) Use the calculator to convert the following to polar form:
(i) 2  5 j (ii) 4 (iii)  j

(b) Use the calculator to convert the following to rectangular form:

(i) 635 (ii) 2.590 (iii) 5  125 

Answer:
(a) (i) 5.39111.80 (ii) 40 (iii) 1  90
(b) (i) 4.91 + 3.44 j (ii) j2.5 (iii) 2.87  4.10 j

3 - 10
 Complex Numbers

Multiplication of Complex Numbers in Polar Form

When dealing with multiplication of complex numbers, it is best to multiply complex
numbers when in polar form.

Given z1  r11 and z2  r2  2 , z1 z2  r1r2  1   2 

Modulus of z1 z2 , z1 z2  z1 z2  r1 r2
Argument of z1 z2 , arg  z1 z2   arg  z1   arg  z2   1   2

To derive, let z1  r11  r1  cos 1  j sin 1  and z2  r2  2  r2  cos  2  j sin  2  ,

then z1 z2   r1  cos 1  j sin 1    r2  cos  2  j sin  2  
 r1r2  cos 1 cos  2  sin 1 sin  2   j  cos 1 sin  2  j sin 1 cos  2  
 r1r2 cos 1   2   j sin 1   2  
 r1r2  1   2 

Example 10

Find the following and express your answer in polar form.

(a)  550  320  (b)  6.27300  2.75125 
(c)  2  j  cos 45  j sin 45
Solution:

(a)  550  320   5  3   50  20   1570

(b)  6.27300  2.75125   6.27  2.75    300  125   17.2  425  360 

 17.265

(c)  2  j  cos 45  j sin 45    

5  26.6  145   5 1   26.6  45 

 2.2418.4

3 - 11
 Complex Numbers

Division of Complex Numbers in Polar Form

By keeping the complex numbers in polar form, division can be made easy by the
following rule.

z1 r1
Given z1  r11 and z2  r2  2 ,   1   2 
z2 r2
z1 z1 r
Modulus of ,  1
z2 z2 r2
z1 z 
Argument of , arg  1   1   2
z2  z2 

Example 11
Evaluate the following and express your answer in polar form.

   3 
   3 
670  2  2 
(a) (b)
250  
cos  j sin
6 6

Solution:

670 6
(a)    70  50  320
250 2

(b)

   3     3 
   3     3  1 3   3
 2  2   2  2      13  
          3   2   3
    1  2 2  6   6  6
cos  j sin 1   
6 6  6

Example 12
By expressing z1  8 j and z2  1  3 j in polar form, find
z1
(a) z1 z2 (b)
.
z2
Give your answers in rectangular form.
Solution:

z1  8 j  890
z2  1  3 j  260
(a) z1 z2   890  260   8  2    90  60   16 150   13.9  8 j
z1 890 8
(b)     90  60   4  30   3.46  2 j
z2 260 2

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 Complex Numbers

Example 13
The power p, in watts, supplied to an element in an electric circuit is the product of the
voltage e and the current i. Find the expression for the power supplied, in polar form, if
e  6.8056.3 volts and i  7.05  15.8  amperes.

SOLUTION:

Given p  ei ,
p   6.8056.3  7.05  15.8 
 6.80  7.05    56.3  15.8   47.9 40.5

4.5 Exponential Form of Complex Numbers

Many functions can be expressed as series, for example,

2 3 4 5
x x + x + x + x + 
e = 1+ x +
2! 3! 4! 5!
3 5 7
sin x = x  x + x  x  
3! 5! 7!
2 4 6
cos x = 1  x + x  x + 
2! 4! 6!

If we replace x by j where  is in radian,

j  j 2  j 3  j 4  j 5
e = 1 + j + + + + + 
2! 3! 4! 5!

2 3 4 5
j 2 j 3 j 4 j 5
= 1 + j + + + + + 
2! 3! 4! 5!

 2 4    3 +  5    
= 1  + +     + j   
 2! 4!   3! 5! 

= cos  + j sin 

Since polar form of complex number is given as z  r  or z  r  cos   j sin   ,

by replacing cos   j sin  by e j ,

Exponential form of complex number, z  re j , where  is in radian

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 Complex Numbers

Example 14

Express the following in exponential form.

(a) z  5  cos 60  j sin 60  (b) z  1 j
(c) z  2.45  cos87  j sin 87  (d) z  35j

Recall from Trigonmetry: To convert from degrees to radians, multiply with and
180 
180 
to convert from radians to degrees, multiply with .


Solution:

    j
(a) 60  radians. So z  5  cos 60  j sin 60   5  cos  j sin   5e 3
3  3 3

1 
(b) r  12  12  2 and   tan 1 
1 4

   j
z  1  j  2  cos  j sin   2e 4
 4 4

(c) 87o = 1.52 radians. Hence z  2.45  cos87  j sin 87   2.45e j1.52

(d) z  3  5 j  5.83e1.03 j

Example 15

1 j
Express z  e 4 in the form of a  bj .

SOLUTION:

 
1 j j
1
ze 4 e e 4  1.92  1.92 j

Example 16
The impedance in an antenna circuit is  375  110 j  ohms. Write this in exponential form
and find the magnitude of the impedance.

SOLUTION:

z  375  110 j  391e0.285 j

magnitude  391

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 Complex Numbers

4.6 De Moivre's Theorem

In polar form, z 2   r     r   r   r 2      r 22

2

z 3   r    r   r   r 3  2     r 33

3 2

KK
z n   r   r n n
n
In general,

This result is known as De Moivre's Theorem.

De Moivre's Theorem
n
 r  cos   j sin     r n  cos n  j sin n  for all real values of n.

Example 17
Simplify the following and express your answer in polar form

1  j 3   1  j 3 
9 9
(a) 1  j 5 (b)

Solution:

1 
(a) r  12  12  2 and   tan 1 
1 4

5
  5    5 
So 1  j    2   2   5    5.66 
5

 4  4  4 
 5   3 
 5.66   2   5.66   
 4   4 

9
  
  
9
(b) 1 j 3   2   29 9    5123  512  512
 3 3

9
     
1 j 3 
9
  2      29 9     512  3   512     512
  3   3

   1  j 3 
9 9
 1 j 3  512   512   1024  1024180 or 1024

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 Complex Numbers

Example 18 (S2Y10/11 Exam Q7c)

1
 Z 2 2
An impedance of a T-section filter is given by Z OT   Z1Z 2  1  . Given that
 4 
Z1  3086o  and Z 2  10  90o  , find ZOT in polar form.

Solution:
1

 3086o  
1
 2 2
 Z 
2
   3086 10  90  
2
Z OT   Z1Z 2  1  o o 
 4   4 
 
1


  300  4    225172
o o
 2

1
   299  20.9 j    223  31.3 j   2

1
  76.5  10.4 j  2
1
  77.27.73o  2  8.783.87o

3 - 16
 Complex Numbers

TUTORIAL 10

4.1 Basic Properties of Complex Numbers

1. Simplify the following radical.

 1   16 
   
2 2
(a)  2  8  (b) 3 2 (c) 2 3 (d)      
 4  9 
 4  49 
 (f)  j
7
(g)   j 
6
(e)  
  (h)   j 2
 25  9 

2. Use the quadratic formula to solve each of the problems. Express your answers
in the form a  bj .
(a) x2  x  2.5  0 (b) x 2  9  0 (c) 2 x2  7 x  9  0 (d) x 2  2 x  5  0

3. Find the conjugate of each complex number.

(a) 6  7 j (b) 8  j (c) 2 j (d) 4

4. Find the values of x and y that satisfy the given equations.

(a) 2 x  3 jy  6  12 j (b) x  2 j 2  7 j  yj  2 xj 3

4.2 Algebraic Operations of Complex Numbers in Rectangular Form

5. Simplify and express the following complex numbers in form a  bj .

(a) 3 j  100 (b) 14  3 j    6  j 

  
(c) 4  16  3  81  (d)  8 j  5  7  4 j 

(e)  2  9  16  2  (f)  8 j  2 

2

64 j 2  ( j  6)
(g) (h)
2 j 1 2 j

6. If z1  2  j , z2  2  3 j and z3  1  j , find the following in form a  bj .

1 1
(a) z1 z 2 z 3 (b)  (c) z1 z 2  z1 z 2 (d) z1  z 2
z1 z 2

4.3 The Argand diagram (Complex Plane)

7. Locate the given numbers in the complex plane.

(a) 2  6 j (b) 5  j (c) 3 j (d) 10

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 Complex Numbers

Suggested Answers
2 14
1. (a) 4 (b)  18 (c)  12 (d)  (e) j (f) j (g)  1 (h)  1
3 15

1 3 7 23
2. (a) x    j (b) x  3 j (c) x    j (d) x  1  2 j
2 2 4 4

3. (a) 6  7 j (b) 8  j (c) 2 j (d)  4

4. (a) x  3, y  4 (b) x  2, y  3

5. (a) 7 j (b) 8  2 j (c) 7  5 j (d) 67  36 j (e) 16  2 j

8 14 6 7
(f) 60  32 j (g)  j (h)   j
5 5 5 5

36 2
6. (a) 3  11j (b)  j (c) 2 (d) 4 + 2j
65 65

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 Complex Numbers

TUTORIAL 11

4.4 Polar Form of Complex Numbers

1. Indicate the following complex numbers in the Argand diagram and then
determine their modulus and argument.
(a) 2  3 j (b) 3 j (c) 4 (d) 1  3 j

2. Perform the indicated operations. Leave the results in polar form.

(a)  4  cos 60  j sin 60     2  cos 20  j sin 20  
3
8
(b)  32.7    42.5 (c)  730    245  (d) 4

4 
2

4.5 Exponential Form of Complex Numbers

3. Express the following in exponential form:


(a) 4  3 j (b) 2 
6

4. The displacement at the end of a vibrating rod is 5.83e 1.20 j cm. Write this in
rectangular form.

5. In an ac circuit, the impedance Z , resistance R and reactance X is related by

Z  R  jX . The angle between Z and R is called the phase angle. A circuit
has a resistance of 7  in series with a reactance of 4 .
(a) Represent the impedance Z on an argand diagram.
(b) Find its modules and argument.
X
(c) What is the susceptance B of the circuit if B  2 j ? Leave your answer
Z
in exponential form.

4.6 DeMoivre’s Theorem

6. An AC circuit has voltage V   5  3 j  V and impedance Z   3  150  .

Find power P such that PZ  V 2 , leaving your answer in polar form.

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 Complex Numbers

Additional Questions

7. An AC circuit has voltage V  2  60  volts and current I 

1
4
 3 j 
amperes.
(a) Find power P, given by P  VI and leave your answer in rectangular
form.
V
(b) Find the circuit impedance Z, given by Z  and leave your answer in
I
rectangular form.
(c) An impedance Z X  2 2  60 is added in series with the existing
impedance Z. Find the new circuit impedance ZN , given by Z N  Z  Z X
.
V2
(d) Find the new power PN  and leave your answer in exponential form.
ZN

Suggested Answers

1. (a) 3.61, 56.3 (b) 3,  90 (c) 4, 0 (d) 3.16, 108.43

 3 
2. (a) 880 (b) 12  1.08 (c) 1475 (d) 2   
 4 
π
j
3. (a) 5e j0.644 (b) 2e 6

4.  2.11  5.43 j  cm
5. (a) Z  7  j4 (b) Z  8.06 and   29.74 (c) 0.0615e0.533 j
6. 11.3  2.58 

7. (a) P
2
2
j or 0.707 j (b) Z 2  3 j  or 2.45  1.41 j
3
j
(c) Z N  3.86 1.04 j (d) PN  0.5e 4

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