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01 Intro To Complex Numbers

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Complex Numbers: Basic Definitions; Operations

Learning Outcomes
After completing this section, you should be able to
• Recognise j as standing for √−1 and be able to reduce powers of j to ±𝑖 or ±1
• Recognise that all complex numbers are in the form (real part) + i (imaginary part)
• Add, subtract and multiply complex numbers
• Find the complex conjugate of a complex number
• Divide complex numbers
• State the conditions for the equality of two complex numbers

1.1 Introduction
In the first content area we discussed the solving of quadratic equations. We also looked at
the quadratic formula which we can use to solve any quadratic equation. For the record, the
quadratic formula to solve the quadratic equation
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 is given by
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

It is clear from the above equation that the nature of the roots we obtained is governed by the
term under the root sign, that is, 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐.

We have the following three types of roots depending on this value


1) 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0: In this case, the quadratic equation has two distinct real roots
2) 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0: In this case, the quadratic equation has a repeated root which is equal
𝑏
to − 2𝑎.
3) 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0: This is the case we haven’t looked at so far. The negative term results
in the square root of a negative, the solution of which does not exist in the real
number system. Graphically, the quadratic curve does not cross the x-axis hence the
roots are called imaginary roots. These roots are defined in what is called the complex
number system and this is going to form the subject of our study in this content area.

1.2 The imaginary number 𝒋


To deal with the problem that 𝑥 2 = −1 has no solution in the real number system,
mathematicians of the eighteenth century invented the “imaginary” number
𝑖 = √−1

This number 𝑖 has lots of uses in engineering. The symbol 𝑖 represents the imaginary number
√−1.
Powers of 𝒋
Since 𝑖 = √−1, let’s consider some powers of j.
𝑖 = √−1

1
𝑖 2 = −1
𝑖 3 = 𝑖 2 ∙ 𝑖 = −𝑖
𝑖4 = 𝑖2 ∙ 𝑖2 = 1
𝑖 5 = 𝑖 4𝑖 = 𝑖
𝑖 6 = 𝑖 4 𝑖 2 = −1
𝑖 = 𝑖 4 𝑖 3 = 𝑖 3 = −𝑖
7

𝑖 8 = 𝑖 4𝑖 4 = 1

A definite pattern is emerging here on the powers of 𝑖. Everytime a factor of 𝑖 4 occurs, it can
be replaced by 1 and the same holds for all powers of 𝑖 which are multiples of 4. By knowing
only the first four powers of 𝑖, we can easily simplify any power of 𝑖.

Example
Simplify the following powers of i
a) 𝑖 17
b) 𝑖 38
c) 𝑖 63
d) 𝑖 75
e) 𝑖 2014

Solution
a) 𝑖 17 = 𝑖 16 𝑖 = (𝑖)4 𝑖 = 𝑖
b) 𝑖 38 = 𝑖 36 𝑖 2 = −1
c) 𝑖 63 = 𝑖 60 𝑖 3 = −𝑖
d) 𝑖 75 = 𝑖 72 𝑖 3 = −𝑖
e) 𝑖 2014 = (𝑖 4 )503 𝑖 2 = 𝑖 2 = −1

Simplify the following powers of 𝑖.


a) 𝑖 42
b) 𝑖 11
c) 𝑖 112
d) 𝑖 45

Since 𝑖 = √−1, it then becomes possible to evaluate the roots of negative numbers. For
example, √−64 = √−1 × √64 = 𝑖8
√−16 = √−1 × √16 = 𝑖4

𝑖8 and 𝑖4 are called purely imaginary numbers. Just like the case for real numbers, you can
add or subtract two imaginary numbers.

For example
𝑖8 + 𝑖4 = 𝑖12
𝑖8 − 𝑖4 = 𝑖4

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1.3 Complex Numbers
When a real number is added to an imaginary number, we get what is called a complex
number. More formally, a complex number is in the form
𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦

Where 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 is called the imaginary part of the complex number and;


𝑦 ∈ 𝑅 is called the imaginary part of the complex number.

Complex numbers have many applications in engineering. To be able to use them, we need to
know and understand how to carry out the usual arithmetic operations.
Addition and Subtraction of Complex Numbers
The addition and subtraction of complex numbers is very straight forward, you add the real
part to the real part and the imaginary part to the imaginary part. This is synonymous to the
concept of collecting like terms in algebraic arithmetic operations.

For example, if 𝑧1 = −3 + 𝑖8 and 𝑧2 = 6 + 𝑖3, we have

𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (−3 + 𝑖8) + (6 + 𝑖3) = −3 + 6 + 𝑖8 + 𝑖3 = 3 + 𝑖11


𝑧2 − 𝑧1 = (6 + 𝑖3) − (−3 + 𝑖8) = 6 + 𝑖3 + 3 − 𝑖8 = 6 + 3 + 𝑖3 − 𝑖8 = 9 − 𝑖5

Multiplication of Complex Numbers


The multiplication of complex numbers is distributive across the product. Remember from
elementary algebra that
(𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑑) = 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑

The same approach is the same with dealing with complex numbers. However, one always
has to remember that 𝑖 2 = −1 in the simplification after clearing out the brackets. For
example, if 𝑧1 = −3 + 𝑖8 and 𝑧2 = 6 + 𝑖3, we have

𝑧1 𝑧2 = (−3 + 𝑖8)(6 + 𝑖3) = −18 − 𝑖9 + 𝑖18 + 𝑖 2 24 = −18 + 𝑖9 − 24 = −42 + 𝑖9

Example
Let 𝑧1 = 2 + 𝑖3 and 𝑧2 = 2 − 𝑖3. Evaluate 𝑧1 𝑧2 .

Solution
𝑧1 𝑧2 = (2 + 𝑖3)(2 − 𝑖3) = 4 − 𝑖6 + 𝑖6 − 𝑖 2 9 = 4 + 9 = 13

There is no mistake here and the result 13 is not a complex number but a real number. The
result is true for all products complex numbers such that 𝑧1 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 and 𝑧2 = 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦. This
brings us to an important definition which we will use extensively in the next section on the
division of complex, that is, the complex conjugate.
Let 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 be a complex number. The complex conjugate is defined as the complex
number 𝑧̅ = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦.
Division of Complex Numbers
Just as complex numbers can be added, subtracted and multiplied, complex numbers can be
divided as well. However, to rationalise the complex number into the form 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, there’s

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need to multiply the numerator and the denominator by the complex conjugate of the
denominator.

Example
𝑧
If 𝑧1 = −3 + 𝑖8 and 𝑧2 = 6 + 𝑖3, evaluate 𝑧1 giving the final answer in the form 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦.
2

Solution
𝑧1 −3 + 𝑖8 (−3 + 𝑖8) (6 − 𝑖3) −18 + 𝑖9 + 𝑖48 − 𝑖 2 24
= = =
𝑧2 6 + 𝑖3 (6 + 𝑖3) (6 − 𝑖3) 45
−18 + 𝑖57 + 24 6 + 𝑖57 6 57 2 19
= = = +𝑖 = +𝑖
45 45 45 45 9 15
NB: Remember to express fractions in their lowest terms.

Equality of Complex Numbers


Let 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 and 𝑧2 = 𝑐 + 𝑖𝑑 be two complex numbers. We say two complex two
complex numbers are equal if and only if
𝑎 = 𝑐 (Real part)

and
𝑏 = 𝑑 (Imaginary Part)

With this in mind, this means we are able to compare any two complex numbers so long they
have been simplified and expressed in terms of 𝑗.

Example
a) Simplify
𝑖4 − 𝑖3
(7 − 𝑖)(2 + 𝑖) −
3+𝑖
b) Solve for x and y if
(1 + 𝑖3)2
= 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 5
2𝑖 2 + 𝑖
Solution
a)
𝑖4 − 𝑖3
(7 − 𝑖)(2 + 𝑖) −
3+𝑖
1+𝑖
= 14 + 𝑖7 − 𝑖2 − 𝑖 2 −
3+𝑖
(1 + 𝑖) (3 − 𝑖)
= 15 + 𝑖5 −
(3 + 𝑖) (3 − 𝑖)
3 − 𝑖 + 𝑖3 − 𝑖 2
= 15 + 𝑖5 −
10
4 + 𝑖2
= 15 + 𝑖5 −
10
150 + 𝑖50 − 4 − 𝑖2
=
10
146 + 𝑖48
=
10

4
146 48
= +𝑖
10 10
73 24
= +𝑖
5 5

COMMENT: With practice, you can skip some of the steps depending on your
understanding of the material.
b)
(1 + 𝑖3)2
= 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 5
2𝑖 2 + 𝑖

COMMENT: To solve this question, you first simplify both sides into the form 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 and
compare the real and the imaginary parts. This will result in a pair of simultaneous equations
in x and y.
1 + 𝑖6 + 𝑖 2 9
⇒ = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦
−2 + 𝑖
−8 + 𝑖6
⇒ = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦
−2 + 𝑖
(−8 + 𝑖6) (−2 − 𝑖)
⇒ = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦
(−2 + 𝑖) (−2 − 𝑖)
22 − 𝑗4
⇒ = 𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦
5
⇒ 22 − 𝑖4 = 5𝑥 + 𝑖5𝑦

Equating the real parts, we have


22 = 5𝑥
22
⇒ 𝑥=
5

Equating the imaginary parts, we have


4
−4 = 5𝑦 ⇒ − = 𝑦
5
4
∴ 𝑦=−
5

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