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3
Complex Numbers
Complex Number
A number of the form z = x + iy, where x , y ∈ R, is called a complex
number. Here, the symbol i is used to denote −1 and it is called iota.
The set of complex numbers is denoted by C.
Real and Imaginary Parts of a Complex Number Let z = x + iy
be a complex number, then x is called the real part and y is called the
imaginary part of z and it may be denoted as Re( z ) and Im ( z ),
respectively.
Purely Real and Purely Imaginary Complex Number A complex
number z is a purely real, if its imaginary part is 0.
i.e. Im ( z ) = 0. And purely imaginary, if its real part is 0 i.e. Re ( z ) = 0.
Zero Complex Number A complex number is said to be zero, if its
both real and imaginary parts are zero.

Equality of Complex Numbers

Two complex numbers z1 = a1 + ib1 and z 2 = a2 + ib2 are equal, iff
a1 = a2 and b1 = b2 i.e. Re ( z1 ) = Re ( z 2 ) and Im ( z1 ) = Im ( z 2 ).

Iota
Mathematician Euler, introduced the symbol i (read as iota) for − 1
with property i 2 + 1 = 0. i.e. i 2 = − 1. He also called this symbol as the
imaginary unit. Integral power of iota (i) are given below.
i = −1 , i 2 = − 1, i3 = − i , i 4 = 1
So, i 4n + 1 = i , i 4n + 2 = − 1, i 4n +3 = − i , i 4n + 4 = 1
⎧ ( −1)n / 2 , if n is an even integer
⎪
In other words, i n = ⎨ n −1
⎪⎩( −1) 2 ⋅ i , if n is an odd integer
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Complex Numbers 29

Algebra of Complex Numbers

1. Addition of Complex Numbers
Let z1 = x1 + iy1 and z 2 = x2 + iy2 be any two complex numbers, then
their sum will be defined as
z1 + z 2 = ( x1 + iy1 ) + ( x2 + iy2 ) = ( x1 + x2 ) + i( y1 + y2 )
Properties of Addition of Complex Numbers
(i) Closure Property Sum of two complex numbers is also a
complex number.
(ii) Commutative Property z1 + z 2 = z 2 + z1, ∀ z1 , z 2 , z3 ∈ C
(iii) Associative Property ( z1 + z 2 ) + z3 = z1 + ( z 2 + z3 ),
∀ z1 , z 2 , z3 ∈ C
(iv) Existence of Additive Identity z + 0 = z = 0 + z
Here, 0 is additive identity element.
(v) Existence of Additive Inverse z + (− z ) = 0 = (− z + z )
Here, ( −z ) is additive inverse or negative of complex number z.

2. Subtraction of Complex Numbers

Let z1 = x1 + iy1 and z 2 = x2 + iy2 be any two complex numbers, then
the difference z1 − z 2 is defined as
z1 − z 2 = ( x1 + iy1 ) − ( x2 + iy2 )
= ( x1 − x2 ) + i( y1 − y2 )
Note The difference of two complex numbers z1 − z2 , follows the closure
property, but this operation is neither commutative nor associative, like in real
numbers. Also, there does not exist any identity element for this operation and
so inverse element also does not exists.

3. Multiplication of Complex Numbers

Let z1 = x1 + iy1 and z 2 = x2 + iy2 be any two complex numbers, then
their multiplication is defined as
z1z 2 = ( x1 + iy1 ) ( x2 + iy2 ) = ( x1x2 − y1 y2 ) + i( x1 y2 + x2 y1 )

Properties of Multiplication of Complex Numbers

(i) Closure Property Product of two complex numbers is also a
complex number.
(ii) Commutative Property z1z 2 = z 2z1 ∀ z1 , z 2 ∈ C.
(iii) Associative Property ( z1 z 2 ) z3 = z1( z 2 z3 ) ∀ z1 , z 2 , z3 ∈ C.
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30 Handbook of Mathematics

(iv) Existence of Multiplicative Identity z ⋅ 1 = z = 1 ⋅ z

Here, 1 is multiplicative identity element of z.
(v) Existence of Multiplicative Inverse For every non-zero
complex number z there exists a complex number z1 such that
z ⋅ z1 = 1 = z1 ⋅ z.
Then, complex number z1 is called multiplicative inverse element
of complex number z.
(vi) Distributive Property For each z1 , z 2 , z3 ∈ C
(a) z1( z 2 + z3 ) = z1z 2 + z1z3 [left distribution]
(b) ( z 2 + z3 )z1 = z 2z1 + z3 z1 [right distribution]

4. Division of Complex Numbers

Let z1 = x1 + iy1 and z 2 = x2 + iy2 be two complex numbers, then their
z
division 1 is defined as
z2
z1 ( x1 + iy1 ) ( x1x2 + y1 y2 ) + i( x2 y1 − x1 y2 )
= =
z 2 ( x2 + iy2 ) x22 + y22

provided, z 2 ≠ 0.
z1
Note The division of two complex numbers , follows the closure property, but
z2
this operation is neither commutative nor associative, like in real numbers. Also,
there does not exist any identity element for this operation and so inverse
element also does not exists.

Identities Related to Complex Numbers

For any complex numbers z1 , z 2, we have
(i) ( z1 + z 2 )2 = z12 + 2 z1z 2 + z 22
(ii) ( z1 − z 2 )2 = z12 − 2z1z 2 + z 22
(iii) ( z1 + z 2 )3 = z13 + 3z12z 2 + 3z1z 22 + z32
(iv) ( z1 − z 2 )3 = z13 − 3z12z 2 + 3z1z 22 − z32
(v) z12 − z 22 = ( z1 + z 2 ) ( z1 − z 2 )
These identities are similar as the algebraic identities in real numbers.

Conjugate of a Complex Number

If z = x + iy is a complex number, then conjugate of z is denoted by z,
i.e. z = x − iy
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Complex Numbers 31
Properties of Conjugate of Complex Numbers
For any complex number z , z1 , z 2, we have
(i) ( z ) = z
(ii) z + z = 2 Re( z ), z + z = 0 ⇔ z is purely imaginary.
(iii) z − z = 2i [Im( z )], z − z = 0 ⇔ z is purely real.
(iv) z 1 + z 2 = z 1 + z 2
(v) z 1 − z 2 = z 1 − z 2
(vi) z 1 ⋅ z 2 = z 1 ⋅ z 2
⎛ z1⎞ z1
(vii) ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = , z2 ≠ 0
⎝ z 2⎠ z 2
(viii) z1 z 2 ± z1 z 2 = 2 Re( z1 z 2 ) = 2 Re( z1 z 2 )
(ix) ( z )n = ( z n )
(x) If z = f ( z1 ), then z = f ( z1 )
a1 a2 a3 a1 a2 a3
(xi) If z = b1 b2 b3 , then z = b1 b2 b3
c1 c2 c3 c1 c2 c3

where, ai , bi , ci ; ( i = 1, 2 , 3) are complex numbers.

(xii) z z = {Re ( z )} 2 + { Im ( z )} 2

Reciprocal/Multiplicative Inverse of a Complex Number

Let z = x + iy be a non-zero complex number, then the multiplicative
inverse
1 1 1 x − iy
z −1 = = = ×
z x + iy x + iy x − iy
[on multiply and divide by conjugate of z = x + iy]
x − iy x i( − y )
= 2 = +
x + y2 x2 + y2 x2 + y2

Modulus (or Absolute value) of a Complex Number

If z = x + iy , then modulus or magnitude of z is denoted by|z| and is
given by |z| = x 2 + y 2
Geometrically it represents a distance of point z ( x , y ) from origin.
Note In the set of non-real complex number, the order relation is not defined i.e.
z1 > z2 or z1 < z2 has no meaning but | z1| >| z2 | or | z1| < | z2 | has got its
meaning, since| z1| and| z2 | are real numbers.
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32 Handbook of Mathematics

Properties of Modulus of Complex Numbers

(i)|z|≥ 0
(ii) (a)|z| = 0, iff z = 0 i.e. Re( z ) = 0 = Im ( z ) (b)|z|> 0, iff z ≠ 0
(iii) −|z |≤ Re( z ) ≤|z| and −|z|≤ Im ( z ) ≤|z|
(iv)|z| =|z| =|− z| =| − z|
(v) zz =|z|2
(vi)|z 1z 2| =|z 1||z 2|
In general,|z1z 2z3! z n | =|z1||z 2||z3|!| z n |
z1 |z 1|
(vii) = , provided z 2 ≠ 0
z2 |z 2|

(viii)|z 1 ± z 2|≤|z 1| +|z 2|

In general,|z 1 ± z 2 ± z3 ± ! ± z n|≤|z1| +|z 2| +|z3| + ! +|z n |
(ix)|z 1 ± z 2|≥||z 1| −|z 2||
(x)|z n | =|z|n
(xi)||z 1| −|z 2||≤|z1 + z 2|≤|z1| +|z 2| i.e. greatest and least possible
value of|z 1 + z 2| is|z1| +|z 2| and||z 1| −|z 2|| respectively.
(xii) z1z 2 + z1z 2 = 2|z1||z 2| cos (θ1 − θ 2 ) = 2 Re( z , z 2 )
(xiii)|z 1 + z 2|2 = ( z 1 + z 2 ) ( z 1 + z 2 )
=|z 1|2 +|z 2|2 + z 1z 2 + z 2z1
=|z 1|2 +|z 2|2 + 2 Re( z 1 z 2 )
=|z1|2 +|z 2|2 + 2|z1||z 2| cos (θ1 − θ 2 )
(xiv) |z 1 − z 2|2 = ( z1 − z 2 )( z1 − z 2 ) =|z1|2 +|z 2|2 − ( z1z 2 + z1z 2 )
=|z1|2 +|z 2|2 − 2 Re( z1 z 2 )
=|z1|2 +|z 2| 2 − 2 |z1||z 2|cos (θ1 − θ 2 )
(xv)|z1 + z 2| 2 +|z1 − z 2|2 = 2 {|z1|2 +|z 2|2 }
z1
(xvi)|z1 + z 2|2 =|z1|2 +|z 2|2 ⇔ is purely imaginary.
z2
(xvii)|az1 − bz 2|2 +|bz1 + az 2|2 = ( a 2 + b2 )(|z1|2 +|z 2|2 ) where a , b ∈ R.
(xviii) z is unimodulus, if |z| = 1
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Complex Numbers 33

Argand Plane and Argument

of a Complex Number
Argand Plane
Any complex number z = x + i y can be represented geometrically by a
point ( x , y ) in a plane, called Argand plane or Gaussian plane.
Y
Imaginary axis

z (x+ iy) or z (x, y)

y
θ
x X
O M Real axis

There exists a one-one correspondence between the points of the plane

and the members of the set C of all complex numbers.
The length of the line segment OP is the modulus of z,
i.e.|z|= length of OP = x 2 + y 2 .

Argument
The angle made by the line joining point z to the origin, with the
positive direction of real axis is called argument of that complex
number. It is denoted by the symbol arg (z) or amp (z).
⎛ y⎞
arg (z) = θ = tan−1 ⎜ ⎟
⎝ x⎠
Argument of z is not unique, general value of the argument of z is
2nπ + θ, where n is an integer. But arg (0) is not defined.
A purely real number is represented by a point on real axis.
A purely imaginary number is represented by a point on imaginary
axis.

Principal Value of Argument

The value of the argument which lies in the interval ( − π , π ] is called
principal value of argument.
(i) If x > 0 and y > 0, then arg (z) = θ
(ii) If x < 0 and y > 0, then arg (z) = π − θ
(iii) If x < 0 and y < 0, then arg (z) = – ( π − θ )
(iv) If x > 0 and y < 0, then arg (z) = − θ
y
where, θ = tan−1 .
x
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34 Handbook of Mathematics

Properties of Argument
⎧ π, if z is purely negative real number
(i) arg ( z ) = ⎨
⎩ − arg( z ), otherwise
(ii) arg( z 1z 2 ) = arg ( z 1 ) + arg ( z 2 ) + 2 kπ,( k = 0, 1 or − 1)
In general,
arg ( z1z 2z3! z n ) = arg ( z1 ) + arg ( z 2 ) + arg( z3 )
+ ! + arg ( z n ) + 2kπ , ( k is an integer)
⎛z ⎞
(iii) arg ⎜ 1 ⎟ = arg ( z1 ) − arg ( z 2 ) + 2kπ ( k = 0, 1 or − 1)
⎝ z2 ⎠
(iv) arg ( z1z 2 ) = arg ( z1 ) − arg ( z 2 ) +2kπ,( k = 0, 1 or − 1)
⎛ z⎞
(v) arg ⎜ ⎟ = 2 arg ( z ) + 2 kπ , (k = 0, 1 or − 1)
⎝z⎠
(vi) arg ( z n ) = n arg ( z ) + 2kπ, (k is an integer)
⎛ z 2⎞ ⎛z ⎞
(vii) If arg ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = θ , then arg ⎜ 1 ⎟ = 2kπ − θ,( k = 0, 1 or − 1)
⎝ z1⎠ ⎝ z2 ⎠
(viii) If arg (z) = 0 ⇒ z is real
⎧ π , if arg ( z ) > 0
(ix) arg (z) − arg ( − z ) = ⎨
⎩ − π , if arg ( z ) < 0
(x) If|z1 + z 2| =|z1 − z 2|, then
⎛z ⎞ π
arg ⎜ 1 ⎟ ⇒ arg ( z1 ) − arg ( z 2 ) =
⎝ z2 ⎠ 2
(xi) If|z1 + z 2| =|z1| +|z 2|, then arg ( z1 ) = arg (z 2 )
π
(xii) If|z − 1| =|z + 1|, then arg ( z ) = ±
2
⎛ z − 1⎞ π
(xiii) If arg ⎜ ⎟ = , then|z|= 1
⎝ z + 1⎠ 2
(xiv) (a) If z = 1 + cos θ + i sin θ, then
θ θ
arg ( z ) = and|z| = 2 cos
2 2
(b) If z = 1 + cos θ − i sin θ, then
θ θ
arg ( z ) = − and|z| = 2 cos
2 2
(c) If z = 1 − cos θ + i sin θ, then
π θ θ
arg ( z ) = − and|z| = 2 sin
2 2 2
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Complex Numbers 35
(d) If z = 1 − cos θ − i sin θ, then
θ π θ
arg (z) = − and|z| = 2 sin
2 2 2
(xv) If|z1|≤ 1,|z 2|≤ 1, then
(a)|z1 − z 2|2 ≤ (|z1| −|z 2|)2 + [arg ( z1 ) − arg( z 2 )]2
(b)|z1 + z 2|2 ≤ (|z1| +|z 2|)2 − [arg( z1 ) − arg( z 2 )]2

Polar Form of a Complex Number

If z = x + iy is a complex number, then z can be written as
z = r (cos θ + i sin θ ), where θ = arg ( z ) and r = x 2 + y 2 this is called
polar form.
Y

P (x, y)
y

θ
X´ x X
Q

Y´

If the general value of the argument is considered, then the polar form
of z is z = r [cos ( 2nπ + θ ) + i sin ( 2nπ + θ )] , where n is an integer.

Eulerian Form of a Complex Number

If z = x + iy is a complex number, then it can be written as
z = reiθ
where, r = z and θ = arg (z)
This is called Eulerian form and eiθ = cos θ + i sin θ and
e− i θ = cos θ − i sin θ.

De-Moivre’s Theorem
A simplest formula for calculating powers of complex numbers in the
standard polar form is known as De-Moivre’s theorem.
If n ∈ I (set of integers), then (cos θ + i sin θ )n = cos nθ + i sin nθ and if
n ∈ Q (set of rational numbers), then cos nθ + i sin nθ is one of the
values of (cos θ + i sin θ )n .
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Properties of De-Moivre’s Theorem

p
(i) If is a rational number, then
q
⎛ p p ⎞
(cos θ + i sin θ ) p / q = ⎜ cos θ + i sin θ⎟
⎝ q q ⎠
1
(ii) = (cos θ + i sin θ )−1 = cos θ − i sin θ
cos θ + i sin θ
(iii) More generally, for a complex number z = r(cos θ + i sin θ ) = reiθ
z n = r n (cos θ + i sin θ )n
= r n (cos nθ + i sin nθ ) = r n e inθ
⎡ ⎛ nπ ⎞ ⎛ nπ ⎞⎤
(iv) (sin θ + i cos θ )n = ⎢cos ⎜ − nθ⎟ + i sin ⎜ − nθ⎟ ⎥
⎣ ⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎦
(v) (cos θ1 + i sin θ1 )(cos θ 2 + i sin θ 2 )! (cos θ n + i sin θ n )
= cos (θ1 + θ 2 + ! + θ n ) + i sin (θ1 + θ 2 + ! + θ n )
(vi) (sin θ ± i cos θ )n ≠ sin nθ ± i cos nθ
(vii) (cos θ + i sin φ )n ≠ cos nθ + i sin nφ
Note
(i) cos 0 + i sin 0 = 1 (ii) cos π + i sin π = − 1
π π π π
(iii) cos + i sin = i (iv) cos − i sin = − i
2 2 2 2

Cube Roots of Unity

Cube roots of unity are 1, ω, ω 2,
−1 3 −1 i 3
where ω= +i = ei 2π / 3 and ω 2 = −
2 2 2 2
2π 4π
arg (ω ) = and arg (ω 2 ) =
3 3

Properties of Cube Roots of Unity

⎧ 0, if r is not a multiple of 3.
(i) 1 + ω 2 + ω 2r = ⎨
⎩ 3, if r is a multiple of 3.
(ii) ω3 = 1
(iii) ω3 r = 1, ω3 r + 1 = ω and ω3 r + 2 = ω 2, where r ∈ I .
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Complex Numbers 37
(iv) Cube roots of unity lie on the unit circle z = 1 and divide its
circumference into 3 equal parts.
(v) It always forms an equilateral triangle.
(vi) Cube roots of − 1 are − 1, − ω , − ω 2.

Some Important Identities

(i) x 2 + x + 1 = ( x − ω)( x − ω2 )
(ii) x 2 – x + 1 = ( x + ω)( x + ω2 )
(iii) x 2 + xy + y 2 = ( x − yω)( x − yω2 )
(iv) x 2 − xy + y 2 = ( x + ωy )( x + yω2 )
(v) x 2 + y 2 = ( x + iy )( x − iy )
(vi) x 3 + y 3 = ( x + y )( x + yω)( x + yω2 )
(vii) x 3 − y 3 = ( x − y )( x − yω)( x − yω2 )
(viii) x 2 + y 2 + z2 − xy − yz − zx = ( x + yω + zω2 )( x + yω2 + zω)
or ( xω + yω2 + z)( xω2 + yω + z)
or ( xω + y + zω2 )( xω2 + y + zω)
(ix) x 3 + y 3 + z3 − 3xyz = ( x + y + z)( x + ωy + ω2 z)( x + ω2 y + ωz)

nth Roots of Unity

The nth roots of unity, it means any complex number z, which satisfies
the equation z n = 1 or z = (1)1/ n
2kπ 2kπ
or z = cos + i sin , where k = 0, 1, 2, ! , ( n − 1)
n n

Properties of nth Roots of Unity

(i) nth roots of unity form a GP with common ratio ei 2π / n .
(ii) Sum of nth roots of unity is always 0.
(iii) Sum of p th powers of nth roots of unity is n, if p is a multiple of n.
(iv) Sum of p th powers of nth roots of unity is zero, if p is not a
multiple of n.
(v) Product of nth roots of unity is ( −1)n − 1.
(vi) The nth roots of unity lie on the unit circle|z| = 1 and divide its
circumference into n equal parts.
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Square Root of a Complex Number

If z = x + i y, then
⎡ | z| + x |z| − x⎤
z = x + iy = ± ⎢ +i ⎥ , for y > 0
⎢⎣ 2 2 ⎥⎦
⎡ | z| + x | z| − x ⎤
=±⎢ −i ⎥ , for y < 0
⎣ 2 2 ⎦

Logarithm of a Complex Number

Let z = x + iy be a complex number and in polar form of z is reiθ , then
log( x + iy ) = log (reiθ ) = log (r ) + i θ
y
= log ( x 2 + y 2 ) + i tan−1
x
or log( z ) = log (|z|) + i amp ( z ),
In general, z = re i ( θ + 2nπ )
log ( z ) = log|z| + i arg( z ) + 2nπi

Geometry of Complex Numbers

1. Geometrical Representation of Addition
If two points P and Q represent complex numbers z1 and z 2,
respectively, in the argand plane, then the sum z1 + z 2 is represented
by the extremity R of the diagonal OR of parallelogram OPRQ having
OP and OQ as two adjacent sides.
Y
R(a1 + a2, b1 + b2)
Q(a2,b2)

P
N
(a1,b1)
X
O L K M

2. Geometrical Representation of Subtraction

Let z1 = a1 + ib1 and z 2 = a2 + ib 2 be two complex numbers represented
by points P ( a1 , b1 ) and Q( a2 , b2 ) in the argand plane. Qʹ represents the
complex number ( −z 2 ). Complete the parallelogram OPRQʹ by taking
OP and OQʹ as two adjacent sides.
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Complex Numbers 39
Y
Q(a2, b2)

P(a1, b1)
O
Xʹ X

R(a1 – a2, b1 – b2)

Qʹ(– a2, – b2)
Yʹ
The sum of z1 and −z 2 is represented by the extremity R of the
diagonal OR of parallelogram OPRQʹ. R represents the complex
number z1 − z 2.

3. Geometrical Representation of Multiplication

Y R(z1 z2)

Q(z2)
) P(z1)
+θ 2
θ1 r2 (θ 1
r1
θ1 θ2
X
O L

R has the polar coordinates (r1r2 , θ1 + θ 2 ) and it represents the complex

numbers z1z 2.

4. Geometrical Representation of the Division

Y
P(z1)

r1 R(z1/z2)
(r1/r2) Q(z2)
θ2 (θ1 – θ2)
r2
θ1
O θ2
X
L

⎛r ⎞
R has the polar coordinates ⎜ 1 , θ1 − θ 2⎟ and it represents the complex
⎝ r2 ⎠
number z1/ z 2.
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5. Geometrical Representation of the Conjugate

of Complex Numbers
If a point P represents a complex number z, then its conjugate z is
represented by the image of P in the real axis.
Y P(x, y)

θ
Xʹ X
–θ

P(x, – y)
Yʹ

Geometrically, the point (x , − y) is the mirror image of the point ( x , y )

on the real axis.

Concept of Rotation
Let z1 , z 2 and z3 be the vertices of a ΔABC described in anti-clockwise
sense. Draw OP and OQ parallel and equal to AB and AC, respectively.
Y C ( z3 )

B(z2)
Q(z3 – z1) A(z1)

α P(z2 – z1)
X
O

Then, point P is z 2 − z1 and Q is z3 − z1. If OP is rotated through angle

α in anti-clockwise, sense it coincides with OQ.
⎛ z − z1 ⎞
∴ amp ⎜ 3 ⎟ =α
⎝ z 2 − z1 ⎠

Applications of Complex Numbers

in Coordinate Geometry
Distance between Complex Points
(i) Distance between the points A( z 1 ) and B ( z 2 ) is given by
AB =|z 2 − z 1| = ( x2 − x1 )2 + ( y2 − y1 )2
where, z1 = x1 + iy1 and z 2 = x2 + iy2.
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Complex Numbers 41
(ii) The point P ( z ) which divides the join of segment AB internally in
the ratio m : n is given by
mz 2 + nz1
z=
m+n
If P divides the line externally in the ratio m : n, then
mz 2 − nz1
z=
m−n

Triangle in Complex Plane

(i) Let ABC be a triangle with vertices A ( z 1 ), B ( z 2 ) and C( z 3 ) , then
(a) Centroid of the ΔABC is given by
1
z = (z 1 + z 2 + z 3 )
3
(b) Incentre of the ΔABC is given by
az + bz 2 + cz3
z= 1
a+ b+ c
(ii) Area of the triangle with vertices A( z 1 ), B ( z 2 ) and C( z 3 ) is
given by
z1 z1 1
1
Δ= z2 z2 1
2
z3 z3 1
For an equilateral triangle,
z12 + z 22 + z32 = z 2z3 + z3 z1 + z1z 2
(iii) The triangle whose vertices are the points represented by
complex numbers z1 , z 2 and z3 is equilateral, if
1 1 1
+ + =0
z 2 − z3 z3 − z1 z1 − z 2
i.e. z12 + z 22 + z32 = z1z 2 + z 2z3 + z3 z1

Straight Line in Complex Plane

(i) The general equation of a straight line is az + az + b = 0, where a
is a complex number and b is a real number.
a
(ii) The complex and real slopes of the line az + az + b = 0 are −
a
⎛ a + a⎞
and − i ⎜ ⎟.
⎝ a − a⎠
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(iii) The equation of straight line through z1 and z 2 is

z = tz1 + (1 − t ) z 2, where t is real.
(iv) If z1 and z 2 are two fixed points, then|z − z 1| =|z − z 2|represents
perpendicular bisector of the line segment joining z 1 and z 2.
(v) Three points z1 , z 2 and z3 are collinear, if
z1 z1 1
z2 z2 1 = 0
z3 z3 1

This is also, the equation of the line passing through z1 , z 2 and z3

z − z2
and slope is defined to be 1 .
z1 − z 2
(vi) Length of Perpendicular The length of perpendicular from a
|az1 + az1 + b|
point z1 to az + az + b = 0 is given by
2|a|
(vii) The equation of a line parallel to the line az + az + b = 0 is
az + az + λ = 0, where λ ∈ R.
(viii) The equation of a line perpendicular to the line az + az + b = 0 is
az − az + iλ = 0, where λ ∈ R.
(ix) The equation of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment
joining points A ( z1 ) and B ( z 2 ) is
2 2
z ( z1 − z 2 ) + z ( z1 − z 2 ) = z1 − z 2
(x) If z is a variable point in the argand plane such that arg ( z ) = θ,
then locus of z is a straight line through the origin inclined at an
angle θ with X-axis.
(xi) If z is a variable point and z1 is fixed point in the argand
plane such that ( z − z1 ) = θ, then locus of z is a straight line
passing through the point z1 and inclined at an angle θ with the
X-axis.
(xii) If z is a variable point and z1 , z 2 are two fixed points in the argand
plane, such that
(a) |z − z1| +|z − z 2| =|z1 − z 2|, then locus of z is the line
segment joining z1 and z 2.
(b) ||z − z1| −|z − z 2|| =|z1 − z 2|, then locus of z is a straight line
joining z1 and z 2 but z does not lie between z1 and z 2.
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IT
Complex Numbers 43
⎛ z − z1 ⎞
(c) arg ⎜ ⎟ = 0 or π, then locus z is a straight line passing
⎝ z − z2 ⎠
through z1 and z 2.
(xiii)
Y Q(zeiα)

P(z)
α
Xʹ θ
X
O

Yʹ
(a) zei α is the complex number whose modulus is |z| and
argument θ + α.
(b) Multiplication by e− iα to z rotates the vector OP in clockwise
sense through an angle α.
(xiv) If z1 , z 2 and z3 are the affixes of the points A, B and C in the
argand plane, then
⎛ z − z1 ⎞
(a) ∠BAC = arg ⎜ 3 ⎟
⎝ z 2 − z1 ⎠
z3 − z1 z3 − z1
(b) = (cos α + i sin α ), where α = ∠BAC.
z 2 − z1 z 2 − z1
(xv) If z1 , z 2 , z3 and z 4 are the affixes of the points A, B, C and D,
respectively in the argand plane.
⎛ z − z1 ⎞
(a) AB is inclined to CD at the angle arg ⎜ 2 ⎟.
⎝ z 4 − z3 ⎠
⎛ z − z1 ⎞ π
(b) If CD is inclined at 90° to AB, then arg ⎜ 2 ⎟ =± .
⎝ z 4 − z3 ⎠ 2

Circle in Complex Plane

(i) An equation of the circle with centre at z 0 and radius r is
|z − z 0| = r or zz − z 0z − z 0z + z 0z 0 − r 2 = 0
(a) |z − z 0|< r , represents interior of the circle.
(b) |z − z 0|> r, represents exterior of the circle.
(c) z − z 0 ≤ r is the set of points lying inside and on the circle
z − z 0 = r. Similarly, z − z 0 ≥ r is the set of points lying
outside and on the circle z − z 0 = r.
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44 Handbook of Mathematics

(d) General equation of a circle is

zz + az + az + b = 0
where, a is a complex number and b is a real number. Centre
of the circle = − a
Radius of the circle = aa − b or |a|2 − b
(e) Four points z1 , z 2 , z3 and z 4 are concyclic, if
(z 4 − z 1 ) (z 2 − z 3 )
is purely real.
(z 4 − z 3 ) (z 2 − z 1 )
|z − z 1| ⎧ Circle, if k ≠ 1
(ii) = k⇒⎨
|z − z 2| ⎩ Perpendicular bisector, if k = 1
(iii) The equation of a circle described on the line segment joining z 1
and z 2 as diameter is ( z − z 1 ) ( z − z 2 ) + ( z − z 2 ) ( z − z1 ) = 0.
z − z1
(iv) arg = β, then locus is the arc of a circle for which the
z − z2
segment joining z1 and z 2 is a chord.
(v) If z1 and z 2 are the fixed complex numbers, then the locus of a
⎛ z − z1 ⎞
point z satisfying arg ⎜ ⎟ = ± π / 2 is a circle having z1 and z 2
⎝ z − z2 ⎠
at the end points of a diameter.
⎛ z + 1⎞ π
(vi) If arg ⎜ ⎟ = , then z lies on circle of radius unity and centre
⎝ z − 1⎠ 2
as origin.
(vii) If|z − z1|2 +|z − z 2|2 =|z1 − z 2|2, then locus of z is a circle with z1
and z 2 as the extremities of diameter.

Conic in Complex Plane

Let z 1 and z 2 be two fixed points, and k be a positive real number.
(i) If k >|z 1 − z 2|, then |z − z 1| +|z − z 2| = k represents an ellipse
with foci at A( z1 ) and B( z 2 ) and length of the major axis is k.
(ii) If k <|z 1 − z 2|, then||z − z 1| −|z − z 2|| = k represents hyperbola
with foci at A( z 1 ) and B ( z 2 ).

Important Points to be Remembered

(i) − a × − b ≠ ab
a × b = ab is possible only, iff atleast one of the quantity
either a or b is/are non-negative. e.g. i 2 = −1 × −1 ≠ 1
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Complex Numbers 45
(ii) i is neither positive, zero nor negative.
(iii) Argument of 0 is not defined.
π π
(iv) Argument of purely imaginary number is or − .
2 2
(v) Argument of purely real number is 0 or π.
1 a + a2 + 4
(vi) If z + = a, then greatest value of|z| = and least
z 2
− a + a2 + 4
value of|z| =
2
(vii) The value of i i = e− π / 2
(viii) The non-real complex numbers do not possess the property of
order,
i.e. x + iy < (or) > c + id is not defined.
(ix) The area of the triangle on the argand plane formed by the
1
complex numbers z , iz and z + iz is |z|2.
2
(x) If ω1 and ω 2 are the complex slope of two lines on the argand
plane, then the lines are
(a) perpendicular, if ω1 + ω 2 = 0.
(b) parallel, if ω1 = ω 2.