3/26/25, 5:58 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

Complex Numbers Cheat Sheet 📚

1️⃣ What Are Complex Numbers?

A complex number is a number of the form:

z = a + bi

where:

a is the real part,

b is the imaginary part,
i is the imaginary unit, where i2 = −1.

2️⃣ Operations with Complex Numbers

Addition and Subtraction

To add or subtract complex numbers, combine the real parts and imaginary parts separately.

(a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i

(a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i

Multiplication

Multiply complex numbers using the distributive property (FOIL method):

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(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci + bdi2

Since i2 = −1, this simplifies to:

(a + bi)(c + di) = (ac − bd) + (ad + bc)i

Division

To divide complex numbers, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of
the denominator.
a+bi (a+bi)(c−di)
c+di
​ = (c+di)(c−di)
​

Since (c + di)(c − di) = c2 + d2 , the result is:

a + bi (ac + bd) + (bc − ad)i
=
c + di c2 + d 2
​ ​

The real part is ac+bd

c2 +d2
and the imaginary part is bc−ad
​

c2 +d2
. ​

3️⃣ Complex Conjugate

The conjugate of a complex number z = a + bi is:

zˉ = a − bi

The product of a complex number and its conjugate is always a real number:

z ⋅ zˉ = (a + bi)(a − bi) = a2 + b2

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4️⃣ Polar Form of Complex Numbers

A complex number can also be written in polar form:

z = r(cos(θ) + i sin(θ))

where:

r= a2 + b2 is the modulus (or magnitude),

​

θ = tan−1 ( ba ) is the argument (or angle).

​

Using Euler's formula, we can also express this as:

z = reiθ

5️⃣ De Moivre's Theorem

De Moivre's Theorem allows you to raise complex numbers in polar form to a power:

(r(cos(θ) + i sin(θ)))n = rn (cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ))

This is particularly useful for finding powers and roots of complex numbers.

6️⃣ Complex Roots

To find the n-th roots of a complex number z = r(cos(θ) + i sin(θ)), use:

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θ + 2kπ θ + 2kπ
n
z= n
r (cos ( ) + i sin ( ))
n n
​ ​ ​ ​

for k = 0, 1, 2, … , n − 1.

7️⃣ Modulus of a Complex Number

The modulus of a complex number z = a + bi is:

∣z∣ = a2 + b2 ​

8️⃣ Argand Plane

The Argand plane is a graphical representation of complex numbers. The real part of the complex
number a + bi corresponds to the x-axis, and the imaginary part corresponds to the y-axis.

The point (a, b) represents the complex number a + bi.

9️⃣ Example Problems

1. Addition of Complex Numbers
(3 + 4i) + (1 − 2i) = (3 + 1) + (4 − 2)i = 4 + 2i

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2. Multiplication of Complex Numbers

(2 + 3i)(1 − 4i) = 2(1) − 2(4i) + 3i(1) − 3i(4i)

Simplify:

= 2 − 8i + 3i − 12(−1) = 2 − 8i + 3i + 12 = 14 − 5i

3. Division of Complex Numbers

3+4i
1−2i
​

Multiply by the conjugate of the denominator:

(3 + 4i)(1 + 2i) (3 + 4i)(1 + 2i)

=
(1 − 2i)(1 + 2i) 12 + 22
​

Simplify the denominator:

(3 + 4i)(1 + 2i) (3 + 4i)(1 + 2i)

= =
1+4 5
​ ​

Multiply the numerator:

(3 + 4i)(1 + 2i) = 3 + 6i + 4i + 8i2 = 3 + 10i − 8 = −5 + 10i

Thus, the result is:

−5 + 10i
= −1 + 2i
5
​

🔟 Common Complex Number Results

i2 = −1
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i3 = −i
i4 = 1
Powers of i repeat in a cycle: i, −1, −i, 1, …

This Complex Numbers Cheat Sheet covers the essential formulas and concepts for working with
complex numbers. Let me know if you need more examples or explanations!

add more examples

Additional Complex Numbers Examples

1️⃣ Example: Addition of Complex Numbers

Problem: Add (5 + 2i) + (3 − 4i).

Solution: Add the real parts and the imaginary parts separately:

(5 + 2i) + (3 − 4i) = (5 + 3) + (2i − 4i)

= 8 − 2i

Answer:
8 − 2i

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2️⃣ Example: Subtraction of Complex Numbers

Problem: Subtract (7 + 3i) − (4 − 5i).

Solution: Subtract the real parts and the imaginary parts separately:

(7 + 3i) − (4 − 5i) = (7 − 4) + (3i + 5i)

= 3 + 8i

Answer:
3 + 8i

3️⃣ Example: Multiplication of Complex Numbers

Problem: Multiply (2 + i) × (3 + 4i).

Solution: Use the distributive property (FOIL):

(2 + i)(3 + 4i) = 2(3) + 2(4i) + i(3) + i(4i)

= 6 + 8i + 3i + 4i2

Since i2 = −1, replace 4i2 with −4:

6 + 8i + 3i − 4 = 2 + 11i

Answer:
2 + 11i

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4️⃣ Example: Division of Complex Numbers

5+6i
Problem: Divide 1−2i . ​

Solution: Multiply both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, 1 + 2i:

5 + 6i 1 + 2i (5 + 6i)(1 + 2i)
× =
1 − 2i 1 + 2i (1 − 2i)(1 + 2i)
​ ​ ​

First, simplify the denominator:

(1 − 2i)(1 + 2i) = 12 − (2i)2 = 1 − (−4) = 1 + 4 = 5

Now, simplify the numerator:

(5 + 6i)(1 + 2i) = 5(1) + 5(2i) + 6i(1) + 6i(2i) = 5 + 10i + 6i + 12i2

Since i2 = −1, replace 12i2 with −12:

5 + 10i + 6i − 12 = −7 + 16i

Now, divide the result by 5:

−7 + 16i 7 16
=− + i
5 5 5
​ ​ ​

Answer:
− 75 +
​
16
5 i
​

5️⃣ Example: Finding the Modulus of a Complex Number

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Problem: Find the modulus of 3 − 4i.

Solution: The modulus of a complex number a + bi is given by ∣z∣ = a2 + b2 . ​

For 3 − 4i, a = 3 and b = −4. Now, calculate the modulus:

∣3 − 4i∣ = 32 + (−4)2 =​ 9 + 16 = ​ 25 = 5​

Answer:
The modulus is 5.

6️⃣ Example: Conjugate of a Complex Number

Problem: Find the conjugate of 5 + 2i.

Solution: The conjugate of a complex number a + bi is a − bi.

For 5 + 2i, the conjugate is:

zˉ = 5 − 2i

Answer:
The conjugate is 5 − 2i.

7️⃣ Example: Polar Form of a Complex Number

Problem: Express 3 + 4i in polar form.

Solution: To express a complex number in polar form, use:

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b
r= a2 + b2 , θ = tan−1 ( )
a
​ ​

For 3 + 4i, a = 3 and b = 4:

1. Find the modulus:

r= 32 + 42 = ​ 9 + 16 =
​ 25 = 5 ​

2. Find the argument:

4
θ = tan−1 ( ) ≈ 0.93 radians
3
​

Thus, in polar form:

3 + 4i = 5 (cos(0.93) + i sin(0.93))

Alternatively, using Euler's formula:

3 + 4i = 5ei0.93

Answer:
The polar form is 5(cos(0.93) + i sin(0.93)) or 5ei0.93 .

8️⃣ Example: Using De Moivre's Theorem

Problem: Find (2 + 3i)3 using De Moivre's Theorem.

Solution: First, express 2 + 3i in polar form:

Modulus:
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r= 22 + 32 = ​
4+9 = ​
13 ​

Argument:

3
θ = tan−1 ( ) ≈ 0.98 radians
2
​

Now, apply De Moivre’s Theorem:

3
(2 + 3i)3 = ( 13) (cos(3 × 0.98) + i sin(3 × 0.98))
​

= 13 13 (cos(2.94) + i sin(2.94))
​

This is the complex number raised to the third power in polar form.

Answer:
13 13 (cos(2.94) + i sin(2.94))
​

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