3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
Complex Numbers & Polar Coordinates
Cheat Sheet
1️⃣ Complex Numbers Basics
Definition:
A complex number is written as:
z = a + bi
where:
a = real part
b = imaginary part
i = imaginary unit, where i2 = −1
Operations with Complex Numbers
1. Addition & Subtraction:
(a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i
(a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i
2. Multiplication:
Use the distributive property (FOIL method):
(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci + bdi2
Since i2 = −1, simplify:
= (ac − bd) + (ad + bc)i
3. Division:
Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator:
a + bi c − di
×
c + di c − di
Compute using i2 = −1.
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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
4. Conjugate of z
If z = a + bi, its conjugate is:
zˉ = a − bi
5. Modulus (Magnitude) of z
∣z∣ = a2 + b2
2️⃣ Polar Form of Complex Numbers
Conversion Between Rectangular and Polar Form
A complex number can be written in polar form as:
z = r(cos θ + i sin θ)
where:
r = ∣z∣ = a2 + b2 (magnitude)
θ = tan−1 ( ba ) (argument)
Alternatively, using Euler’s formula:
z = reiθ
Converting Between Forms
Rectangular to Polar:
Find r = a2 + b2
Find θ = tan−1 ( ba )
Polar to Rectangular:
Use a = r cos θ, b = r sin θ
3️⃣ De Moivre’s Theorem
For a complex number in polar form:
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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
n n
z = r (cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ))
Used for computing powers and roots of complex numbers.
Finding Roots:
The nth roots of a complex number are:
θ + 2πk θ + 2πk
zk = r1/n (cos + i sin )
n n
for k = 0, 1, … , n − 1.
4️⃣ Problems & Solutions
Example 1: Convert to Polar Form
Problem: Convert 3 + 4i to polar form.
Solution:
r= 32 + 42 = 9 + 16 = 25 = 5
θ = tan−1 ( 43 ) ≈ 53.13∘
Answer:
5(cos 53.13∘ + i sin 53.13∘ )
or using Euler’s form:
∘
5ei53.13
Example 2: Convert to Rectangular Form
Problem: Convert 6(cos 30∘ + i sin 30∘ ) to rectangular form.
Solution:
3
a = 6 cos 30∘ = 6 × 2
=3 3
1
b = 6 sin 30∘ = 6 × 2
=3
Answer:
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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
3 3 + 3i
Example 3: Multiply Complex Numbers
Problem: Find (1 + i)( 3 + i).
Solution:
Use FOIL:
1⋅ 3+1⋅i+i⋅
3+i⋅i
= 3+i+ 3i + i 2
Since i2 = −1:
= 3+i+ 3i − 1
= ( 3 − 1) + ( 3 + 1)i
Answer:
( 3 − 1) + ( 3 + 1)i
Example 4: Using De Moivre’s Theorem
Problem: Compute (1 + i)4 .
Solution:
Convert to polar form:
r= 12 + 12 = 2
θ = tan−1 (1) = 45∘
Now apply De Moivre’s Theorem:
∘ ∘
( 2ei45 )4 = ( 2)4 ei(4×45 )
∘
= 4ei180
∘
Since ei180 = −1:
= −4
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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
Answer:
−4
∘
Example 5: Find the Cube Roots of 8ei60
Solution:
Using the formula for roots:
∘ ∘
zk = 81/3 ei(60 +120 k)/3 ,
k = 0, 1, 2
Since 81/3 = 2, the roots are:
∘
z0 = 2ei20
∘
z1 = 2ei140
∘
z2 = 2ei260
Answer:
The cube roots are:
2(cos 20∘ + i sin 20∘ ), 2(cos 140∘ + i sin 140∘ ), 2(cos 260∘ + i sin 260∘ )
5️⃣ Summary Table
Operation Formula
Addition (a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i
Subtraction (a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i
Multiplication (a + bi)(c + di) = (ac − bd) + (ad + bc)i
a+bi (a+bi)(c−di)
Division c+di
= c2 +d2
Modulus (
Polar Form z = r(cos θ + i sin θ)
Euler’s Form z = reiθ
De Moivre’s Theorem z n = rn (cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ))
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