COMPLEX NUMBERS

INTRODUCTION
1) IMAGINARY NUMBERS

Let us start our study with a question.

Q. Solve the equation:

𝑥2 + 1 = 0

Solution:

Given 𝑥 2 + 1 = 0

<=> 𝑥 2 = −1

<=> √𝑥 2 = ±√−1

∴ 𝑥 = ±√−1

The imaginary number √−1 is denoted by the letter i

Note that:

𝑖 = √−1 ……………………..(1)
2
=> 𝑖 2 = (√−1) = −1 ……...(2)

i.e. 𝑖 2 = −1

POWERS OF i

1. 𝑖 = √−1
2. 𝑖 2 = −1
3. 𝑖 3 = 𝑖 2 × 𝑖 = −1 × 𝑖 = −𝑖
4. 𝑖 4 = 𝑖 2 × 𝑖 2 = −1 × (−1) = 1
5. 𝑖5 = 𝑖4 × 𝑖 = 1 × 𝑖 = 𝑖
6. 𝑖 6 = 𝑖 4 × 𝑖 2 = 1 × (−1) = −1
7. 𝑖 7 = 𝑖 4 × 𝑖 2 × 𝑖 = 1 × (−1) × 𝑖 = −𝑖
8. 𝑖 8 = (𝑖 4 )2 = 12 = 1

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 EXAMPLE ONE

Simplify a) 𝑖 29 b) 𝑖 31 c) 𝑖 −3

Solution

a) 𝑖 29 = 𝑖 28 × 𝑖

= (𝑖 4 )7 × 𝑖

= 17 × 𝑖

=1×𝑖 = 𝑖

b) 𝑖 31 = 𝑖 28 × 𝑖 2 × 𝑖

= 1 × (−1) × 𝑖 = −𝑖
1 1×𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
c) 𝑖 −3 = 𝑖 3 = 𝑖 3 ×𝑖 = 𝑖 4 = 1 = 𝑖

Powers of i rule

If n is a natural number that has a remainder of r when divided by 4, then

𝑖𝑛 = 𝑖𝑟

N.B: If n is divisible by 4, the remainder is 0 and 𝑖 𝑛 = 𝑖 0 = 1

EXAMPLE TWO

Simplify 𝑖 107

Solution:
107
= 26 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 3.
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Hence, 𝑖 107 = 𝑖 3 = 𝑖 2 × 𝑖 = (−1) × 𝑖 = −𝑖

IMAGINARY NUMBERS

A number of the form bi, where 𝒊 = √−𝟏 is known as an imaginary number.

PROPERTY OF RADICALS

If at least one of a and b is nonnegative, then

√𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎√𝑏
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N.B This rule falls apart if both numbers a and b are negative. That is if both a and b are
negative, then √𝑎𝑏 ≠ √𝑎√𝑏

EXAMPLE THREE

Simplify a) √−4 b) √−9 c) √−7 d) √−4√−9

Solution:

a) √−4 = √4 × (−1)

= √4√−1

= 2𝑖

b) √−9 = √9 × (−1)

= √9√−1

= 3𝑖

c) √−7 = √7 × (−1)

= √7√−1

= √7𝑖

d) Note that in this case √−4√−9 ≠ √−4 × (−9) since both −4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 9 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒.

Hence, we proceed as follows:

√−4√−9 = 2𝑖 × 3𝑖 = 6𝑖 2 = −6.

2) THE CONCEPT OF A COMPLEX NUMBER

Definition:

A complex number is any number of the form: 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, where a and b are real numbers
and 𝑖 = √−1.

Take note of the following about complex numbers:

i. The complex number is denoted by letter z.

ii. In the complex number: 𝒛 = 𝒂 + 𝒃𝑖, a is known as the real part of the complex
number 𝒛 and b is known as the imaginary part of the complex number 𝒛.

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 iii. If 𝑎 = 0 𝑖𝑛 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, we get a number of the form 𝒃𝒊 which is called an imaginary
number. But, if instead 𝑏 = 0 𝑖𝑛 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, we get a number of form 𝒂 which is a
real number. Hence, both the set of real numbers and the set of imaginary numbers
are subsets of the set of complex numbers,

Complex numbers,

𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 where a and b
are real numbers.

Real numbers, 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 Pure imaginary numbers,

where 𝑏 = 0 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 where 𝑎 = 0

iv. A complex number can be represented on the Argand diagram, as below:

𝑂 𝑎 𝑥

Here vertical axis is the imaginary axis ( 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 ) and horizontal axis ( −𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠) is the real axis.

v. The size or the magnitude or the absolute value of the complex number, denoted as
|𝑧| 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑟 is given by:

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 𝑟 = |𝑧| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
E.g. The absolute value or magnitude of the complex number 𝑧 = −3 + 2𝑖 is
|𝑧| = √(−3)2 + 22 = 5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠.
vi. The angle between a complex number 𝑧 and the real axis (𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠) is called
argument. On the Argand diagram above it is denoted by 𝜽. Its value is :
𝑏
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( )
𝑎
ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS ON COMPLEX NUMBERS

1) ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF TWO COMPLEX NUMBERS

Let 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧2 = 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 be two complex numbers, then:

i. addition two complex is defined as:

𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) + (𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = (𝑎 + 𝑐) + (𝑏 + 𝑑)𝑖
ii. subtraction two complex is defined as:
𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) − (𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = (𝑎 − 𝑐) + (𝑏 − 𝑑)𝑖

EXAMPLE 4

Given the complex numbers: 𝑧1 = 8 + 2𝑖, 𝑧2 = 12 + 5𝑖, 𝑧3 = 7 − 4𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧4 = −4 + 3𝑖, find:

i. 𝑧1 + 𝑧2
ii. 𝑧1 − 𝑧2
iii. 𝑧3 + 𝑧4
iv. 𝑧4 − 𝑧3

Solution:

i. 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (8 + 2𝑖) + (12 + 5𝑖)

 = (8 + 12) + (2 + 5)𝑖 (Group like terms at this stage)
 = 20 + 7𝑖
∴ 𝒛𝟏 + 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟐𝟎 + 𝟕𝒊
ii. 𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = (8 + 2𝑖) − (12 + 5𝑖) = 8 + 2𝑖 − 12 − 5𝑖
 = (8 − 12) + (2 − 5)𝑖 (Group like terms at this stage)
 = −12 − 3𝑖
∴ 𝒛𝟏 − 𝒛𝟐 = −𝟏𝟐 − 𝟑𝒊
iii. 𝑧3 + 𝑧4 = (7 − 4𝑖) + (−4 + 3𝑖) = 7 − 4𝑖 − 4 + 3𝑖
 = (7 − 4) + (−4 + 3)𝑖 (Group like terms at this stage)
 =3−𝑖
∴ 𝒛𝟑 + 𝒛𝟒 = 𝟑 − 𝒊

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 iv. 𝑧4 − 𝑧3 = (−4 + 3𝑖) − (7 − 4𝑖) = −4 + 3𝑖 − 7 + 4𝑖
 = (−4 − 7) + (3 + 4)𝑖 (Group like terms at this stage)
 = −11 + 7𝑖
∴ 𝒛𝟏 − 𝒛𝟐 = −𝟏𝟏 + 𝟕𝒊

2) MULTIPLICATION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS

Complex numbers are multiplied as if they were binomials, with 𝒊𝟐 = −𝟏.

Let 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧2 = 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 be two complex numbers, then:

𝑧1 𝑧2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = 𝑎(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) + 𝑏𝑖(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖)

 = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑𝑖 + 𝑏𝑐𝑖 + 𝑏𝑑𝑖 2 = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑𝑖 + 𝑏𝑐𝑖 − 𝑏𝑑 (Since 𝑖 2 = −1)

 = 𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑 + 𝑎𝑑𝑖 + 𝑏𝑐𝑖 = (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + (𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)𝑖 (Group like terms at this stage)
∴ 𝑧1 𝑧2 = (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + (𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐)𝑖

EXAMPLE 5

Given the complex numbers: 𝑧1 = 8 + 2𝑖, 𝑧2 = 12 + 5𝑖, 𝑧3 = 7 − 4𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧4 = −4 + 3𝑖, find:

i. 𝑧1 𝑧2
ii. 𝑧3 𝑧4
iii. (𝑧3 )2

Solutions:

i. 𝑧1 𝑧2 = (8 + 2𝑖)(12 + 5𝑖) = 8(12 + 5𝑖) + 2𝑖(12 + 5𝑖)

 = 96 + 40𝑖 + 24𝑖 − 10
 = 86 + 64𝑖
∴ 𝒛𝟏 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟖𝟔 + 𝟔𝟒𝒊
ii. 𝑧3 𝑧4 = (7 − 4𝑖)(−4 + 3𝑖) = 7(−4 + 3𝑖) − 4𝑖(−4 + 3𝑖)
 = −28 + 21𝑖 + 16𝑖 + 12
 = −16 + 37𝑖
∴ 𝒛𝟑 𝒛𝟒 = 𝟖𝟔 + 𝟑𝟕𝒊
iii. (𝑧3 )2 = (7 − 4𝑖)2 = (7 − 4𝑖)(7 − 4𝑖)
 = 7(7 − 4𝑖) − 4𝑖(7 − 4𝑖)
 = 49 − 28𝑖 − 28𝑖 + 16𝑖 2
 = 49 − 28𝑖 − 28𝑖 − 16 = 33 − 56𝑖
∴ (𝒛𝟑 )𝟐 = 𝟑𝟑 − 𝟓𝟔𝒊

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 EXAMPLE 6

Given the complex numbers: 𝑧1 = 8 + 2𝑖, 𝑧2 = 8 − 2𝑖, 𝑧3 = −4 − 3𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧4 = −4 + 3𝑖, find:

i. 𝑧1 𝑧2
ii. 𝑧3 𝑧4

Solutions:

i. 𝑧1 𝑧2 = (8 + 2𝑖)(8 − 2𝑖) = 8(8 − 2𝑖) + 2𝑖(8 − 2𝑖)

 = 64 − 16𝑖 + 16𝑖 − 4𝑖 2 = 64 + 4 = 68.

∴ 𝒛𝟏 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟔𝟖

ii. 𝑧1 𝑧2 = (−4 − 3𝑖)(−4 + 3𝑖) = −4(−4 + 3𝑖) − 3𝑖(−4 + 3𝑖)

 = 16 − 12𝑖 + 12𝑖 − 9𝑖 2 = 16 + 9 = 25.

∴ 𝒛𝟏 𝒛𝟐 = 𝟐𝟓

Definition:

The complex number 𝒛̅ = 𝒂 − 𝒃𝒊 is a conjugate of the complex number 𝒛 = 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊.

Note the following:

• The product of the complex number 𝒛 = 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 and its conjugate 𝒛̅ = 𝒂 − 𝒃𝒊 is the real
number 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 , as the following work shows:
𝑧𝑧̅ = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)(𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖) = 𝑎(𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖) + 𝑏𝑖(𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖)
 = 𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑏𝑖 + 𝑎𝑏𝑖 − 𝑏 2 𝑖 2
 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

∴ 𝑧𝑧̅ = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

• Remember that the absolute or magnitude of a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is given by

|𝑧| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 , hence the absolute of the complex number can also be written in terms of
the product between a complex number and its conjugate as:
|𝑧| = √𝑧𝑧̅………..(1)
Squaring both sides of (1):
|𝑧|2 = 𝑧𝑧̅ = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 ………..(2)

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 EXAMPLE 7
Fill in the missing information in the table below:
Complex number (z) Its conjugate
3 − 7𝑖 3 + 7𝑖
−3 + 5𝑖 −3 − 5𝑖
6+𝑖 6−𝑖
𝑖 −𝑖
4 4

3) DIVISION OF TWO COMPLEX NUMBERS

To divide complex numbers, we often realize the denominator as follows:

Let 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑧2 = 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 be two complex numbers, then:

𝑧2 𝑐+𝑑𝑖 𝑐+𝑑𝑖 𝑎−𝑏𝑖
= 𝑎+𝑏𝑖 =𝑎+𝑏𝑖 (𝑎−𝑏𝑖)
𝑧1

𝑎𝑐−𝑏𝑐𝑖+𝑎𝑑𝑖−𝑏𝑑𝑖 2
 = 𝑎2 +𝑏 2
(𝑎𝑐+𝑏𝑑)+(𝑎𝑑−𝑏𝑐)𝑖
 = 𝑎2 +𝑏 2
(𝑎𝑐+𝑏𝑑) (𝑎𝑑−𝑏𝑐)
 = + 𝑖
𝑎2 +𝑏 2 𝑎2 +𝑏 2
(𝑎𝑐+𝑏𝑑) (𝑎𝑑−𝑏𝑐)
Let 𝑝 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 = , then we get:
𝑎2 +𝑏 2 𝑎2 +𝑏 2
= 𝑝 + 𝑞𝑖

Hence, to divide two complex use the conjugate of the denominate to realize the denominator.

EXAMPLE 8

Express each of the following in the form 𝑝 + 𝑞𝑖, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠:
1
i. 3+𝑖
5+3𝑖
ii.
6−2𝑖
3+𝑖
iii. 𝑖

Solutions:
1 1 3−𝑖 3−𝑖
i. = 3+𝑖 (3−𝑖) = 32+12
3+𝑖
3−𝑖 3 1
 = = 10 − 10 𝑖
10
1 3 1
∴ = 10 − 10 𝑖
3+𝑖

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 5+3𝑖 5+3𝑖 6+2𝑖
ii. = 6−2𝑖 (6+2𝑖)
6−2𝑖
5(6+2𝑖)+3𝑖(6+2𝑖) 30+10𝑖+18𝑖−6
= =
62 +(−2)2 40
24+28𝑖 24 28
= = 40 + 40 𝑖
40
5+3𝑖 3 7
∴ = 5 + 10 𝑖
6−2𝑖
3+𝑖 3+𝑖 𝑖
iii. = ×
𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
−1+3𝑖
= = 1 − 3𝑖
−1

EXAMPLE 9

Find the real part and imaginary part of the complex number:

2 + 9𝑖
𝑧=
5 − 2𝑖
Solutions:
2+9𝑖 (2+9𝑖)(5+2𝑖)
= (5−2𝑖)(5+2𝑖)
5−2𝑖

2(5+2𝑖)+9𝑖(5+2𝑖) 10+4𝑖+45𝑖−18
 = =
52 +(−2)2 29
−8+49𝑖 8 49
 = = − 29 + 29 𝑖
29
8 49
 𝑧 = − 29 + 29 𝑖

8 49
∴ 𝑅𝑒(𝑧) = − 29 and 𝐼𝑚(𝑧) = 29.

THE ZERO COMPLEX NUMBER

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

i.e. 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 0 ⟺ 𝑥 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 0.

EQUAL COMPLEX NUMBERS

Now, consider the case 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 = 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖…………(1)

Or (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) − (𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖) = 0

 (𝑎 − 𝑐) + (𝑏 − 𝑑)𝑖 = 0

⟺ 𝑎 − 𝑐 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 − 𝑑 = 0

⟺ 𝑎 = 𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 𝑑.

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Thus two complex numbers are equal if and only if their real terms and their imaginary terms
are separately equal.

EXAMPLE 10

Solve the following equations for x and y:

3 − 2𝑖
𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 =
5+𝑖

Solution:
3−2𝑖 5−𝑖
𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = ( )
5+𝑖 5−𝑖
3(5−𝑖)−2𝑖(5−𝑖)
 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 52 +12
15−3𝑖−10𝑖−2
 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 26
13−13𝑖
 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 26
13 13 1 1
 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 26 − 26 𝑖 = 2 − 2 𝑖

1 1
Hence, 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = − 2

EXAMPLE 11

Find the square roots of the complex number 15 + 8𝑖.

Solution:

Let √15 + 8𝑖 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 , where a and b are real numbers………..(1)

Squaring both sides of (1), we get:

15 + 8𝑖 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)2

15 + 8𝑖 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏𝑖 − 𝑏 2

 15 + 8𝑖 = (𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 )+2abi………………..(2)

Equating the real and imaginary parts gives:

𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = 15 …………………(3)

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 4
2𝑎𝑏 = 8 𝑜𝑟 𝑏 = 𝑎…………..(4)

Substituting (4) in (3) gives:

16
𝑎2 − 𝑎2 = 15

 𝑎4 − 15𝑎2 − 16 = 0
 (𝑎2 − 16)(𝑎2 + 1) = 0

But a is a real number so 𝑎2 + 1 gives no suitable values.

But, 𝑎2 − 16 = 0,

So 𝑎 = ±4

Now, when 𝒂 = −𝟒:

4 4
Then 𝑏 = 𝑎 = −4 = −1

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