Engineering Mathematics
Complex Numbers
No one “invented” complex numbers, but controversies surrounding the use
of these numbers existed in the sixteenth century.
In their quest to solve polynomial equations by formulas involving radicals,
early dabblers in mathematics were forced to admit that there were other
kinds of numbers besides positive integers.
Equations such as x2 + 2x + 2 = 0 that yielded “solutions” 1 + √−1.
But in the eighteenth century the number concept took a gigantic
evolutionary step forward when the German mathematician Carl Friedrich
Gauss put the so-called imaginary numbers—or complex numbers, as they
were now beginning to be called—on a logical and consistent footing by
treating them as an extension of the real number system.
1
Engineering Mathematics
Even after gaining wide respectability, through the seminal works of Karl
Friedrich Gauss and the French mathematician Augustin Louis Cauchy, the
unfortunate name “imaginary” has survived down the centuries.
The symbol i was originally used as a disguise for the embarrassing
symbol √−1.
We now say that i is the imaginary unit and define it by the property i2= –1.
Using the imaginary unit, we build a general complex number out of two real
numbers.
2
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
3
Engineering Mathematics
Definition: Complex Number
A complex number is any number of the form z = a + ib where a and
b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit.
In Electrial Engineering j is used as imaginary unit to prevent confusion with
the current (i) in circuits.
The real number a in z = a+ ib is called the real part of z.
The real number b is called the imaginary part of z.
The real and imaginary parts of a complex number z are abbreviated Re(z)
and Im(z), respectively.
For example, z = 4 −9i, then Re(z) = 4 and Im(z) = −9.
4
Engineering Mathematics
Arithmetic Operations
Complex numbers can be added, subtracted,multiplied, and divided.
If z1 = a1 + ib1 and z2 = a2 + ib2, these operations are defined as follows.
5
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
6
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
Solution:
7
Engineering Mathematics
Definition: Equality
Complex numbers z1 = a1 + ib1 and z2 = a2 + ib2 are equal, z1 = z2, if
a1 = a2 and b1 = b2.
In terms of the symbols Re(z) and Im(z), z1 = z2 if Re(z1) = Re(z2) and Im(z1)
= Im(z2).
The totality of complex numbers or the set of complex numbers is usually
denoted by the symbol C.
Because any real number a can be written as z = a + 0i, we see that the set
R of real numbers is a subset of C.
8
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
Solution:
9
Engineering Mathematics
10
Engineering Mathematics
11
Engineering Mathematics
Zero and Unity
The zero in the complex number system is the number 0 + 0i and
the unity is 1 + 0i.
The zero and unity are denoted by 0 and 1, respectively.
The zero is the additive identity in the complex number system
since, for any complex number z = a + ib, we have z + 0 = z.
Similarly, the unity is the multiplicative identity of the system
since, for any complex number z,
12
Engineering Mathematics
Conjugate:
If z is a complex number, the number obtained by changing
the sign of its imaginary part is called the complex conjugate.
In other words, if z = a+ib, then its conjugate is
13
Engineering Mathematics
14
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
15
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
Solution:
16
Engineering Mathematics
Inverses
17
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
18
Engineering Mathematics
Complex Plane
A complex number z = x + iy is uniquely determined by an ordered pair of
real numbers (x, y).
The first and second entries of the ordered pairs correspond, in turn, with
the real and imaginary parts of the complex number.
For example, the ordered pair (2, −3) corresponds to the complex number
z = 2 −i3.
Conversely, z = 2 −3i determines the ordered pair (2, −3).
The numbers 7, i, and −5i are equivalent to (7, 0), (0, 1), (0,−5),
respectively.
19
Engineering Mathematics
The coordinate plane illustrated in Figure 1.1 is called the complex plane
or simply the z -plane.
The horizontal or x-axis is called the real axis because each point on
that axis represents a real number.
The vertical or y-axis is called the imaginary axis because a point on
that axis represents a pure imaginary number.
20
Engineering Mathematics
A complex number z = x + iy can also be viewed as a two dimensional
position vector, that is, a vector whose initial point is the origin
and whose terminal point is the point (x, y).
This vector interpretation prompts us to define the length of the vector
z as the distance from the origin to the point (x, y).
21
Engineering Mathematics
Definition: Modulus
22
Engineering Mathematics
Properties
23
Engineering Mathematics
24
Engineering Mathematics
25
Engineering Mathematics
Polar Form of Complex Numbers
A point P in the plane whose rectangular coordinates are (x, y) can also be
described in terms of polar coordinates.
The polar coordinate system, invented by Isaac Newton, consists of point O called
the pole and the horizontal half-line emanating from the pole called the polar axis.
If r is a directed distance from the pole to P and θ is an angle of inclination (in
radians) measured from the polar axis to the line OP, then the point can be
described by the ordered pair (r, θ), called the polar coordinates of P.
26
Engineering Mathematics
Suppose, as shown in Figure 1.7, that a polar coordinate system is
superimposed on the complex plane with the polar axis coinciding
with the positive x-axis and the pole O at the origin.
27
Engineering Mathematics
r can be interpreted as the distance from the origin to the point (x, y).
28
Engineering Mathematics
Example:
29
Engineering Mathematics
31
Engineering Mathematics
33
Engineering Mathematics
34
Engineering Mathematics
35
Engineering Mathematics
36
Engineering Mathematics
37
Engineering Mathematics
38
Engineering Mathematics
40
