Complex Numbers
Definition
A complex number z is a number of the form
x jy
where j 1
x is the real part and y the imaginary part, written as x = Re
z, y = Im z.
j is called the imaginary unit
If x = 0, then z = jy is a pure imaginary number.
The complex conjugate of a complex number, z = x + jy,
denoted by z* , is given by
z* = x jy.
Two complex numbers are equal if and only if their real
parts are equal and their imaginary parts are equal.
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Slide 2
Complex Plane
A complex number can be plotted on a plane with two
perpendicular coordinate axes
The horizontal x-axis, called the real axis
The vertical y-axis, called the imaginary axis
y
P
z = x + iy
The complex plane
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Represent z = x + iy
geometrically as the point P(x,y)
in the x-y plane, or as the
vector OP from the origin to
P(x,y).
x-y plane is also known
as the complex plane.
Slide 3
Polar Coordinates
With x r cos ,
y r sin
z takes the polar form:
z r (cos j sin )
r is called the absolute value or modulus or
magnitude of z and is denoted by |z|.
z r x 2 y 2 zz *
Note that :
zz ( x jy)(x jy)
*
x y
2
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2
Slide 4
Im
z = x + iy
|z
|=
Re
Complex plane, polar form of a complex number
Geometrically, |z| is the distance of the point z from the
origin while is the directed angle from the positive xaxis to OP in the above figure.
From the figure,
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y
tan
x
1
Slide 5
is called the argument of z and is denoted by arg z. Thus,
y
arg z tan
x
1
z0
For z = 0, is undefined.
A complex number z 0 has infinitely many possible
arguments, each one differing from the rest by some
multiple of 2. In fact, arg z is actually
y
tan 2n , n 0,1,2,...
x
1
The value of that lies in the interval (-, ] is called the
principle argument of z ( 0) and is denoted by Arg z.
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Slide 6
Euler Formula an alternate polar form
The polar form of a complex number can be rewritten as :
z r (cos j sin ) x jy
re j
This leads to the complex exponential function :
e z e x jy e x e jy
e cos y j sin y
x
Further leads to :
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1 j
cos e e j
2
1 j
sin
e e j
2j
Slide 7
In mathematics terms, is referred to as the argument of z
and it can be positive or negative.
In engineering terms, is generally referred to as phase of z
and it can be positive or negative. It is denoted as z
The magnitude of z is the same both in Mathematics and
engineering, although in engineering, there are also
different interpretations depending on what physical system
one is referring to. Magnitudes are always > 0.
The application of complex numbers in engineering will
be dealt with later.
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Slide 8
Im
z1
x
r1
z1 r1e
j1
+1
- 2
z 2 r2 e
r2
j 2
z2
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Re
r1 , r2 , 1 , 2 0
Slide 9
Example 1
A complex number, z = 1 + j , has a magnitude
| z | (12 12 ) 2
and argument :
z tan 1 2n 2n rad
1
4
Hence its principal argument is :
Arg z / 4
rad
Hence in polar form :
z 2 cos j sin 2e
4
4
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Slide 10
Example 2
A complex number, z = 1 - j , has a magnitude
| z | (12 12 ) 2
and argument :
z tan 2n 2n rad
1
4
Hence its principal argument is : Arg z
rad
Hence in polar form :
z 2e
2 cos j sin
4
4
In what way does the polar form help in manipulating
complex numbers?
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Slide 11
Other Examples
What about z1=0+j, z2=0-j, z3=2+j0, z4=-2?
z1 0 j1
1e j 0.5
10.5
1e j 0.5
1 0.5
z3 2 j0
z 4 2 j 0
2e
2e j
j0
20
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z 2 0 j1
2
Slide 12
Im
z4 = -2
z1 = + j
0.5
z3 = 2
Re
z2 = - j
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Slide 13
Arithmetic Operations in Polar Form
The representation of z by its real and
imaginary parts is useful for addition and
subtraction.
For multiplication and division, representation
by the polar form has apparent geometric
meaning.
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Slide 14
Suppose we have 2 complex numbers, z1 and z2 given by :
z1 x1 jy1 r1e
j1
z 2 x2 jy2 r2 e
j 2
z1 z 2 x1 jy1 x2 jy2
x1 x2 j y1 y 2
z1 z 2 r1e
j1
r1 r2 e
magnitudes multiply!
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r e
j 2
j (1 ( 2 ))
Easier with normal
form than polar form
Easier with polar form
than normal form
phases add!
Slide 15
For a complex number z2 0,
j1
z1 r1e
r1 j (1 ( 2 )) r1 j (1 2 )
e
e
j 2
z 2 r2 e
r2
r2
magnitudes divide!
z1
r1
z2
r2
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phases subtract!
z 1 ( 2 ) 1 2
Slide 16
A common engineering problem involving
complex numbers
Given the transfer function model :
20
H ( s)
s 1
Generally, this is a frequency response model if s is
taken to be s j .
In Engineering, you are often required to plot the
frequency response with respect to the frequency, .
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Slide 17
20 e j 0
For a start : H ( s 0)
20 0
j0
1e
Lets calculate H(s) at s=j10.
20
H ( j10)
j10 1
H ( j10)
20
20e j 0
101e
10
j tan 1
1
2 20 log 10 2 dB 5.98 dB
101
H ( j10) 0 tan 1 (10) 1.47 rad 84.30
Im
84.30
Re
2
x 2e i1.47
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Slide 18
Lets calculate H(s) at s=j1.
20
H ( j1)
j1 1
H ( j1)
20
20e j 0
2e
1
j tan 1
1
14.142 20 log 10 14.142dB 23 dB
2
H ( j1) 0 tan 1 (1) 0.7854 rad 450
Im
84.30
45 0
Re
2
x H (i10)
H (i1)
x
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Slide 19
What happens when the frequency tends to infinity?
H ( s) s j
H ( s) s j
20
0 ?
j 1
20
20
j tan 1
j 1 e
0 90 0
When the frequency tends to infinity, H(s) tends to zero in
magnitude and the phase tends to -900!
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Slide 20
Polar Plot of H(s) showing the magnitude and phase of H(s)
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Slide 21
Frequency response of the system
Alternate view of the magnitude and phase of H(s)
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Slide 22
