The Exponential Form  

of a Complex Number 10.3 

Introduction
In this Section we introduce a third way of expressing a complex number: the exponential form. We
shall discover, through the use of the complex number notation, the intimate connection between
the exponential function and the trigonometric functions. We shall also see, using the exponential
form, that certain calculations, particularly multiplication and division of complex numbers, are even
easier than when expressed in polar form.
The exponential form of a complex number is in widespread use in engineering and science.

' $
• be able to convert from degrees to radians

• understand how to use the Cartesian and

Prerequisites polar forms of a complex number
Before starting this Section you should . . .
• be familiar with the hyperbolic functions
cosh x and sinh x
&
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$
• explain the relations between the
exponential function ex and the
trigonometric functions cos x, sin x
Learning Outcomes • interchange between Cartesian, polar and
On completion you should be able to . . . exponential forms of a complex number

• explain the relation between hyperbolic and

trigonometric functions
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20 HELM (2008):
Workbook 10: Complex Numbers
 ®

1. Series expansions for exponential and trigonometric

functions
We have, so far, considered two ways of representing a complex number:
z = a + ib Cartesian form
or
z = r(cos θ + i sin θ) polar form
In this Section we introduce a third way of denoting a complex number: the exponential form.
If x is a real number then, as we shall verify in 16, the exponential number e raised to the
power x can be written as a series of powers of x:
x2 x3 x4
ex = 1 + x + + + + ···
2! 3! 4!
in which n! = n(n − 1)(n − 2) . . . (3)(2)(1) is the factorial of the integer n. Although there are
an infinite number of terms on the right-hand side, in any practical calculation we could only use a
finite number. For example if we choose x = 1 (and taking only six terms) then

1 1 1 1
e1 ≈ 1 + 1 + + + +
2! 3! 4! 5!
= 2 + 0.5 + 0.16666 + 0.04166 + 0.00833
= 2.71666

which is fairly close to the accurate value of e = 2.71828 (to 5 d.p.)

x2 x3
We ask you to accept that ex , for any real value of x, is the same as 1 + x + + + · · · and
x
2! 3!
that if we wish to calculate e for a particular value of x we will only take a finite number of terms
in the series. Obviously the more terms we take in any particular calculation the more accurate will
be our calculation.
As we shall also see in 16, similar series expansions exist for the trigonometric functions sin x
and cos x:
x3 x5 x7
sin x = x − + − + ···
3! 5! 7!

x2 x4 x6
cos x = 1 − + − + ···
2! 4! 6!
in which x is measured in radians.
The observant reader will see that these two series for sin x and cos x are similar to the series for ex .
Through the use of the symbol i (where i2 = −1) we will examine this close correspondence.
In the series for ex replace x on both left-hand and right-hand sides by iθ to give:
(iθ)2 (iθ)3 (iθ)4 (iθ)5
eiθ = 1 + (iθ) + + + + + ···
2! 3! 4! 5!
Then, as usual, replace every occurrence of i2 by −1 to give

iθ θ2 θ3 θ4 θ5
e = 1 + iθ − −i + + i + ···
2! 3! 4! 5!

HELM (2008): 21
Section 10.3: The Exponential Form of a Complex Number
which, when re-organised into real and imaginary terms gives, finally:
θ2 θ4 θ3 θ5
   
iθ
e = 1− + − ··· + i θ − + − ···
2! 4! 3! 5!
= cos θ + i sin θ

Key Point 8
eiθ ≡ cos θ + i sin θ

Example 5
Find complex number expressions, in Cartesian form, for
(a) eiπ/4 (b) e−i (c) eiπ

We use Key Point 8:

Solution
(a) eiπ/4 = cos π4 + i sin π4 = √1
2
+ i √12
(b) e−i = cos(−1) + i sin(−1) = 0.540 − i(0.841) don’t forget: use radians
(c) eiπ = cos π + i sin π = −1 + i(0) = −1

2. The exponential form

Since z = r(cos θ + i sin θ) and since eiθ = cos θ + i sin θ we therefore obtain another way in which
to denote a complex number: z = reiθ , called the exponential form.

Key Point 9
The exponential form of a complex number is

z = reiθ in which r = |z| and θ = arg(z)

so
z = reiθ = r(cos θ + i sin θ)

22 HELM (2008):
Workbook 10: Complex Numbers
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Task
Express z = 3eiπ/6 in Cartesian form, correct to 2 d.p.

Use Key Point 9:

Your solution

Answer
π π
z = 3eiπ/6 = 3(cos + i sin )
6 6
= 3(0.8660 + i0.5000)
= 2.60 + 1.50i to 2 d.p.

Example 6
If z = reiθ and w = teiφ then find expressions for (a) z −1 (b) z ∗ (c) zw

Solution
1 1
(a) If z = reiθ then z −1 = iθ
= e−iθ using the normal rules for indices.
re r
(b) Working in polar form: if z = reiθ = r(cos θ + i sin θ) then
z ∗ = r(cos θ − i sin θ) = r(cos(−θ) + i sin(−θ)) = re−iθ
since cos(−θ) = cos θ and sin(−θ) = − sin θ. In fact this reflects the general rule: to find the
complex conjugate of any expression simply replace i by −i wherever it occurs in the expression.
(c) zw = (reiθ )(teiφ ) = rteiθ eiφ = rteiθ+iφ = rtei(θ+φ) which is again the result we are familiar with:
when complex numbers are multiplied their moduli multiply and their arguments add.

We see that in some circumstances the exponential form is even more convenient than the polar form
since we need not worry about cumbersome trigonometric relations.

HELM (2008): 23
Section 10.3: The Exponential Form of a Complex Number
 Task
Express the following complex numbers in exponential form:
(a) z = 1 − i (b) z = 2 + 3i (c) z = −6.

Your solution
(a)

Answer
√ √
z = 2ei7π/4 (or, equivalently, 2e−iπ/4 )

Your solution
(b)

Answer
√
z = 13ei(0.9828)

Your solution
(c)

Answer
z = 6eiπ

3. Hyperbolic and trigonometric functions

We have seen in subsection 1 (Key Point 8) that
eiθ = cos θ + i sin θ
It follows from this that
e−iθ = cos(−θ) + i sin(−θ) = cos θ − i sin θ
Now if we add these two relations together we obtain
eiθ + e−iθ
cos θ =
2
whereas if we subtract the second from the first we have
eiθ − e−iθ
sin θ =
2i
These new relations are reminiscent of the hyperbolic functions introduced in 6. There we
defined cosh x and sinh x in terms of the exponential function:
ex + e−x ex − e−x
cosh x = sinh x =
2 2
In fact, if we replace x by iθ in these last two equations we obtain

24 HELM (2008):
Workbook 10: Complex Numbers