Republic of Iraq

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University/Technical College

Lecture 5 in
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS

(Complex Number)

For 2nd class students

Department of Cooling and Air Conditioning Engineering, Imam Ja'afar Al-
Sadiq University

Prepared by
MSc. Monther A. Dookhi

2024_2025
 Chapter 5: Complex Number

Introduction:

The real number system had limitations that were at first accepted and later
overcome by a series of improvements in both concepts and mechanics. In
connection with quadratic equations, we encountered the concept of imaginary
number and the device invented for handling it, the notation

𝑖 2 = −1 𝑜𝑟 𝑖 = √−1

In this lecture we continue the extension of the real number system to include
imaginary' numbers. The extended system is called the complex number system.

Complex Number

A complex number is a number of the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, where a and b are real and
𝑖 2 = −1 𝑜𝑟 𝑖 = √−1. The letter ‘a’ is called the real part and ‘b’ is called the
imaginary part of 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖. If a = 0, the number bi is said to be a purely imaginary
number and if b = 0, the number a is real number. Hence, real numbers and pure
imaginary numbers are special cases of complex numbers. The complex numbers
are denoted by Z, i.e.,

𝑍 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖

In coordinate form 𝑍 = (𝑎, 𝑏)

Note: Every real number is a complex number with 0 as its imaginary part.

Note: Electrical engineers often write j instead of i because current is usually

denoted by i.

Properties of Complex Number:

(i) The two complex numbers 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 are equal if and only if
a = c and b =d for example if
𝑥 − 2 + 4𝑦𝑖 = 3 + 12𝑖
 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 − 2 = 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 3
(ii) If any complex number vanishes then its real and imaginary parts will
separately vanish.
For example, if
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 = 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 = −𝑏𝑖
Squaring both sides

𝑎2 = −𝑏 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 0

Which is possible only when a = 0, b = 0.

Basic Algebraic Operation on Complex Numbers

There are four algebraic operations on complex numbers
(i) Addition:
If 𝑍1 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
𝑍1 + 𝑍2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖) + (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 ) = (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 ) + 𝑖(𝑏1 + 𝑏2 )
(ii) Subtraction:

If 𝑍1 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛

𝑍1 − 𝑍2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖) − (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 ) = (𝑎1 − 𝑎2 ) + 𝑖(𝑏1 − 𝑏2 )

(iii) Multiplication:

If 𝑍1 = 𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛

𝑍1 𝑍2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖). (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 ) = 𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑎1 𝑏2 𝑖 + 𝑏1 𝑎2 𝑖 + (𝑏1 𝑏2 )𝑖 2

𝑍1 𝑍2 = 𝑎1 𝑎2 − 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑖 (𝑎1 𝑏2 + 𝑏1 𝑎2 )

(iv) Division:
𝑍1 𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖
=
𝑍2 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖

Multiply Numerator and denominator by the number (𝑎2 − 𝑏2 𝑖) in

order to make the denominator real.
 𝑍1 𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 𝑖 𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑖 (𝑏1 𝑎2 − 𝑎1 𝑏2 )
= × =
𝑍2 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 𝑖 2
𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑖 (𝑎2 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏2 )
𝑍1 𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑖 (𝑏1 𝑎2 − 𝑎1 𝑏2 ) 𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 (𝑏1 𝑎2 − 𝑎1 𝑏2 )
= 2
= 2
+𝑖 2
𝑍2 𝑎 2+𝑏 𝑎 2+𝑏 𝑎 2+𝑏
2 2 2 2 2 2
Generally, result will be expressed in the form a + ib.
Examples:
If 𝑍1 = 8 + 3𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 9 − 2𝑖
𝑍1
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 (𝑍1 + 𝑍2 ), (𝑍1 − 𝑍2 ), (𝑍1 . 𝑍2 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ( )
𝑍2
Sol.
1. 𝑍1 + 𝑍2 = 17 + 𝑖
2. 𝑍1 − 𝑍2 = −1 + 5𝑖
3. 𝑍1 . 𝑍2 = (72 + 6) + 𝑖(−16 + 27) = 78 + 11𝑖
𝑍1 8+3𝑖 8+3𝑖 9+2𝑖 72−6+27𝑖+16𝑖 66 43
4. = = × = = + 𝑖
𝑍2 9−2𝑖 9−2𝑖 9+2𝑖 81+4 85 85

Find the values of the following:

1+5𝑖 7−𝑖
1. 2. 3. 2𝑖 + (−8 − 15𝑖) 4. (6 + 2𝑖)2 5. 4 − (3 − 20𝑖)
−3𝑖 2+10𝑖
6. (10 + 3𝑖)(−1 + 7𝑖)
Polar Form of a Complex Number
Just as real numbers can be represented by points on the real number line, you
can represent a complex number 𝑍 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖
at the point (a,b) in a coordinate plane (the complex plane). The horizontal axis
is called the real axis and the vertical axis is called the imaginary axis, as shown
in figure below.

The absolute value of the complex number a+bi is defined as the distance
between the origin (0,0) and the point (a,b) and is calculated as follows:

|𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
To work effectively with powers and roots of complex numbers, it is helpful to
write complex numbers in polar form. In the figure below, consider the nonzero
complex number a+bi
By letting θ be the angle from the positive x-axis (measured counter-clockwise)
to the line segment connecting the origin and the point (a,b) you can write
𝑎 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
where 𝑟 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
from which you can obtain the polar form of a complex number.
Consequently, you have
𝑍 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 = (𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃) + (𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)𝑖 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)
𝑏
tan 𝜃 =
𝑎
The number r is the modulus of Z, and θ is called an argument of Z.
NOTE The polar form of a complex number is also called the trigonometric
form. Because there are infinitely many choices for θ, the polar form of a
complex number is not unique. Normally, θ is restricted to the interval
0 ≤ 𝜃 < 2𝜋
although on occasion it is convenient to use θ < 0.

Example:
Write the following complex number in polar form
𝑍 = −2 − 2√3 𝑖
Sol.
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑍 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 = −2 − 2√3 𝑖 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 = −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = −2√3
The absolute value of Z is

𝑟 = |𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = √4 + 12 = 4
And the angle θ is given by
𝑏 −2√3
tan 𝜃 = = = √3
𝑎 −2
𝜋
tan = √3
3
Because 𝑍 = −2 − 2√3 𝑖 lies in Quadrant III, then
 𝜋 4
𝜃=𝜋+ = 𝜋
3 3

And the polar form of the given complex number will be

4 4
𝑍 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃) = 4(cos 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋)
3 3

Multiplication and Division of Complex Numbers in the Polar

Form
The polar form adapts nicely to multiplication and division of complex numbers.
Suppose you are given two complex numbers
𝑍1 = 𝑟1 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃1 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃1 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 𝑟2 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃2 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃2 )
The product of Z1 and Z2 will be
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃1 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃1 ) (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃2 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃2 ) =
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 [(𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃2 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃2 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃2 )]
Using the sum and difference formulas for cosine and sine, you can rewrite this
equation as
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 [𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜃1 + 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝜃1 + 𝜃2 )]
In the same manner the Quotient of Z1 and Z2 will be
𝑍1 𝑟1
= [𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )], 𝑍2 ≠ 0
𝑍2 𝑟2
Example
2𝜋 2𝜋 11𝜋 11𝜋
If 𝑍1 = 2(cos + 𝑖 sin ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 8(cos + 𝑖 sin )
3 3 6 6

𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 (𝑍1 . 𝑍2 )
Sol.
2𝜋 2𝜋 11𝜋 11𝜋
𝑍1 . 𝑍2 = [2 (cos + 𝑖 sin )] [8 (cos + 𝑖 sin )]
3 3 6 6
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 [𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜃1 + 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝜃1 + 𝜃2 )]
2𝜋 11𝜋 2𝜋 11𝜋
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 16 [cos (+ ) + 𝑖 sin ( + )]
3 6 3 6
5𝜋 5𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 16 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )] = 16 [cos ( ) + 𝑖 sin ( )]
2 2 2 2
𝑍1 𝑍2 = 16[0 + 𝑖] = 16𝑖

Example
If 𝑍1 = 24(cos 300° + 𝑖 sin 300° ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑍2 = 8(cos 75° + 𝑖 sin 75° )
𝑍1
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 ( )
𝑍2
Sol.
𝑍1 𝑟1 24
= [𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )] = [cos 225° + 𝑖 sin 225° ]
𝑍2 𝑟2 8
𝑍1 −√2 −√2 −3√2 3√2
= 3[ +𝑖 ]= −𝑖
𝑍2 2 2 2 2

Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers and DeMoivre’s Theorem

To raise a complex number to a power, consider repeated use of the multiplication
rule.
𝑍 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃)
𝑍 2 = 𝑟 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝜃)
𝑍 3 = 𝑟 3 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 3𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3𝜃)
This pattern leads to the following important theorem, which is named after the
French mathematician Abraham DeMoivre (1667–1754).
DeMoivre’s Theorem
If 𝑍 = 𝑟(𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃) is a complex number and n is a positive integer, then
𝑍 𝑛 = 𝑟 𝑛 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃)

Example
Use DeMoivre’s Theorem to find
12
(−1 + √3𝑖)
Sol.
12
(−1 + √3𝑖) = 𝑟12 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 12𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 12𝜃)
The absolute value of Z is

𝑟 = |𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = √1 + 3 = 2
And the angle θ is given by
𝑏 −√3
tan 𝜃 = = = −√3
𝑎 1
2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 tan = −√3 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃 =
3 3
2𝜋 2𝜋
−1 + √3𝑖 = 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 )
3 3
12
(−1 + √3𝑖) = 212 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 8𝜋 + 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 8𝜋) = 4096

Definition of nth Root of a Complex Number

The complex number 𝑢 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is an nth root of the complex number z if
𝑧 = 𝑢𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)𝑛
To find a formula for an nth root of a complex number, let u be an nth root of z,
where
𝑢 = 𝑠(cos 𝛽 + 𝑖 sin 𝛽)𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)
By DeMoivre’s Theorem and the fact 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑧
𝑠 𝑛 (cos 𝑛𝛽 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝛽) = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)
Taking the absolute values of both sides of this equation, it follows that 𝑠 𝑛 = 𝑟
Substituting back into the previous equation and dividing by r, you get
(cos 𝑛𝛽 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝛽) = (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)
Thus, it follows that
cos 𝑛𝛽 = cos 𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 sin 𝑛𝛽 = sin 𝜃
Because both sine and cosine have a period of 2π these last two equations have
solutions if and only if the angles differ by a multiple of 2π. Consequently, there
must exist an integer k such that
𝑛𝛽 = 𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘
Or
𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘
𝛽=
𝑛
By substituting this value for β into the polar form of u, you get the following
result:
THEOREM nth Roots of a Complex Number
For a positive integer n, the complex number 𝑧 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃) has exactly
n distinct nth roots given by
𝑛 𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘 𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘
√𝑟 (cos + 𝑖 sin ) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘 = 0,1,2, … , 𝑛 − 1
𝑛 𝑛

This formula for the nth roots of a complex number z has a geometrical
interpretation, as shown in the next Figure. Note that because the nth roots of z
𝑛 𝑛
all have the same magnitude √𝑟 they all lie on a circle of radius √𝑟 with centre
at the origin. Furthermore, because successive nth roots have arguments that
2𝜋
differ by the n roots are equally spaced along the circle.
𝑛
Example
Find the three cube roots of
𝑧 = −2 + 2 𝑖
Solution Because z lies in Quadrant II, the polar form for z

𝑧 = −2 + 2 𝑖 = √8 (cos 135° + 𝑖 sin 135° )

By the formula for nth roots, the cube roots have the form

6 135° + 360° 𝑘 135° + 360° 𝑘

√8 (cos + 𝑖 sin ) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘 = 0,1,2
3 3
Then for k = 0
√2 (cos 45° + 𝑖 sin 45° ) = 1 + 𝑖
For k = 1
√2 (cos 165° + 𝑖 sin 165° ) ≈ −1.366 + 0.366 𝑖

For k = 2
√2 (cos 285° + 𝑖 sin 285° ) ≈ 0.366 − 1.366 𝑖
Argand Diagram

Euler’s Formula
The identity
𝑒 𝑖𝜃 = cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃
is called Euler’s formula
Since 𝑍 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃), the Euler’s formula enables us to rewrite this
equation as
𝑍 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃

This formula, in turn, leads to the following rules for calculating products,
quotients, powers, and roots of complex numbers. It also leads to Argand
diagrams for 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 . By taking r = 1, we can say that 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 is represented by a unit
vector that makes an angle θ with the positive x-axis, as shown in Figure below:
Products
To multiply two complex numbers, we multiply their absolute values and add
their angles.
Let 𝑧1 = 𝑟1 𝑒 𝑖𝜃1 and 𝑧2 = 𝑟2 𝑒 𝑖𝜃2
|𝑧1 | = 𝑟1 , arg 𝑧1 = 𝜃1 , |𝑧2 | = 𝑟2 , arg 𝑧2 = 𝜃2
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑒 𝑖(𝜃1 +𝜃2 )
Example
If you know that
𝜋 𝜋
𝑧1 = √2𝑒 𝑖 4 , 𝑧2 = 2𝑒 −𝑖 6

Find 𝑧1 𝑧2
Sol.
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑖(𝜃1 +𝜃2 ) 𝑖( − ) 𝑖
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑒 = 2√2𝑒 4 6 = 2√2𝑒 12

𝜋 𝜋
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 2√2 (cos + 𝑖 sin ) ≈ 2.73 + 0.73𝑖
12 12
Quotients
Suppose 𝑟2 ≠0
𝑧1 𝑟1 𝑒 𝑖𝜃1 𝑟
Then =𝑟 𝑖𝜃2 = 𝑟1 𝑒 𝑖(𝜃1 −𝜃2 )
𝑧2 2𝑒 2

Example
If you know that
𝑍1 = 1 + 𝑖 , 𝑍2 = √3 − 𝑖

Find 𝑧1 /𝑧2
Sol.
𝑍1 𝑟1 𝑖(𝜃1−𝜃2)
| |= 𝑒
𝑍2 𝑟2
 𝑍1 = 1 + 𝑖 = 𝑟1 𝑒𝑖𝜃1

𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 1, 𝑟1 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = √2
𝑏 𝜋
= tan 𝜃1 = 1, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃1 =
𝑎 4
𝑖𝜋
𝑍1 = 1 + 𝑖 = √2𝑒 4

𝑍2 = √3 − 𝑖 = 𝑟2 𝑒𝑖𝜃2

𝑎 = √3, 𝑏 = −1, 𝑟2 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 2

𝑏 −1 −𝜋
= tan 𝜃2 = 1, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃2 =
𝑎 √3 6
𝑖−𝜋
𝑍2 = √3 − 𝑖 = 2𝑒 6

𝑍1 𝑟 √2 𝑖(𝜋+𝜋) 5𝜋
| | = 1 𝑒𝑖(𝜃1 −𝜃2 ) = 𝑒 4 6 = 0.707𝑒𝑖12
𝑍2 𝑟2 2
5𝜋
𝑖 12 5𝜋 5𝜋
0.707𝑒 = 0.707(cos + 𝑖 sin )
12 12
𝑍1
| | ≈ 0.183 + 0.683 𝑖
𝑍2

Powers
If (n) is a positive integer then
𝑍 𝑛 = 𝑍. 𝑍. 𝑍 … 𝑍 𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠
With
𝑍 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃
Then
𝑛
𝑍 𝑛 = (𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 ) = 𝑟 𝑛 𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝜃
 𝑟 𝑛 𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑟 𝑛 (cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝜃)
Example
𝜋
𝑖
If 𝑍 = 4𝑒 3

n=3
3
𝑍 3 = (𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 ) = 𝑟 3 𝑒 3𝑖𝜃 = 43 𝑒 𝑖𝜋