• A complex number is a number that can be expressed in the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖

 𝑎 is the real part.

 𝑏 is the imaginary part.
• A real number is defined as a number which can be represented as a point on the
real number line.
• A imaginary number 𝑖 is defined as a number which cannot be represented as a
point on the real number line, where 𝑖 = −1 or 𝑖 2 = −1.

Example :
−4 = 4(−1) = 4𝑖 2 = 2𝑖
−75 = 75(−1) = 75𝑖 2 = 3(5𝑖)2 = 5 3𝑖
4 4 4 2 2
− = (−1) = 𝑖 = 𝑖
25 25 25 5

2
The numbers such as 2𝑖, 5 3𝑖 and 𝑖 above are known as imaginary numbers.
5
Addition
• If 𝑧1 = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 and 𝑧2 = 𝑢 + 𝑣𝑖 are two complex numbers, with 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑢, 𝑣𝜖ℝ, then

𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖) + (𝑢 + 𝑣𝑖)
= 𝑥+𝑢 + 𝑦+𝑣 𝑖

For example :

3 + 4𝑖 + 5 + 6𝑖 5 + 3𝑖 + 8 + 2𝑖
= 3+5 + 4+6 𝑖 = 5+8 + 3+2 𝑖
= 8 + 10𝑖 = 13 + 5𝑖
Subtraction
• If 𝑧1 = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 and 𝑧2 = 𝑢 + 𝑣𝑖 are two complex numbers, with 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑢, 𝑣𝜖ℝ, then

𝑧1 −𝑧2 = (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖) − (𝑢 + 𝑣𝑖)

= 𝑥−𝑢 + 𝑦−𝑣 𝑖

For example :

3 + 4𝑖 − 5 + 6𝑖 5 + 3𝑖 − 8 + 2𝑖
= 3−5 + 4−6 𝑖 = 5−8 + 3−2 𝑖
= −2 − 2𝑖 = −3 + 𝑖
Multiplication
• If 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 and 𝑧2 = 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖, then
𝑧1 𝑧2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖)
= 𝑎 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 + 𝑏𝑖(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖)
= 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑𝑖 + 𝑐𝑏𝑖 + 𝑏𝑑𝑖 2
= (𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏𝑑) + 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑐𝑏 𝑖

• If a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is multiplied by its conjugate 𝑧 ⋆ = 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖, then

𝑧𝑧 ⋆ = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖
= 𝑎2 − 𝑏𝑖 2
= 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

• The product of a complex number and its conjugate is always a real number.
Examples:
2) 𝑧 = 3 + 4𝑖 2) 𝑧1 = 3 − 2𝑖
𝑤 = 2 − 3𝑖 𝑧2 = −4 + 5𝑖
Find 𝑧𝑤. Find 𝑧1 𝑧2 .

𝑧𝑤 = 3 + 4𝑖 2 − 3𝑖 𝑧1 𝑧2 = (3 − 2𝑖)(−4 + 5𝑖)
= 6 − 9𝑖 + 8𝑖 − 12𝑖 2 = −12 + 15𝑖 + 8𝑖 − 10𝑖 2
= 6 + 12 + −9 + 8 𝑖 = −12 + 10 + 15 + 8 𝑖
= 18 − 𝑖 = −2 + 23𝑖
Division
• The division of any number by a complex number can be done if the denominator
(or divisor) is transformed into a real number.

Examples:

3 3 2 − 3𝑖 2+𝑖 2 + 𝑖 3 + 2𝑖
= × = ×
2 + 3𝑖 2 + 3𝑖 2 − 3𝑖 3 − 2𝑖 3 − 2𝑖 3 + 2𝑖
6 − 9𝑖 6 + 4𝑖 + 3𝑖 + 2𝑖 2
= =
4 − 9𝑖 2 9 − 4𝑖 2
6 − 9𝑖 6 + 7𝑖 − 2
= =
4+9 9+4
6 9 4 7
= − 𝑖 = − 𝑖
13 13 13 13
Exercise:
Solve the following question. Express your answer in the form (a+bi).
𝑧1 = 2 + 5𝑖
𝑧2 = 3 − 2𝑖
Find
1) 𝑧1 + 𝑧2

2) 𝑧1 − 𝑧2

3) 𝑧1 𝑧2
𝑧1
4) 𝑧2
Solution:
1) 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = 2 + 5𝑖 + (3 − 2𝑖) 2) 𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = 2 + 5𝑖 − (3 − 2𝑖)
= 2+3 + 5−2 𝑖 = 2−3 + 5+2 𝑖
= 5 + 3𝑖 = −1 + 7𝑖
3) 𝑧1 𝑧2 = (2 + 5𝑖)(3 − 2𝑖) 4) 𝑧1 (2 + 5𝑖) (3 + 2𝑖)
= ×
= 6 − 4𝑖 + 15𝑖 − 10𝑖 2 𝑧2 (3 − 2𝑖) (3 + 2𝑖)
= 6 + 10 + −4 + 15 i (2 + 5𝑖)(3 + 2𝑖)
=
= 16 + 11i 32 − 2 2 𝑖 2
6 + 4𝑖 + 15𝑖 + 10𝑖 2
=
9+4
(6 − 10) + 4 + 15 𝑖
=
13
4 19
=− + 𝑖
13 13
 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 𝑢 + 𝑣𝑖, 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑢, 𝑣 𝜖 ℝ
If and only if 𝑥 = 𝑢 and 𝑦 = 𝑣.
• To solve problems involving the equality of two complex numbers, we need to
equte the real and imaginary parts of the quality.

Example:
1) 𝑥 − 2 + 𝑖(𝑦 + 1) = 6 + 7𝑖
Find the value of 𝑥 and 𝑦.
𝑥 − 2 + 𝑖(𝑦 + 1) = 6 + 7𝑖 From the equation 𝑥 − 2 = 6
𝑥=8
By equating both side of the From the equation 𝑦 + 1 = 7
equation: 𝑦=6
𝑥−2=6 𝑦+1=7
Exercise:
Solve the following question. Express your answer in the form (a+bi).
Find the value of 𝑥 and 𝑦 such that

1) 𝑥 − 2 + 𝑖 𝑦 + 1 = 0

2) 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 1 + 4𝑖 = 6 + 7𝑖
Solution:

1) 𝑥 − 2 + 𝑖 𝑦 + 1 = 0 2) 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 1 + 4𝑖 = 6 + 7𝑖
𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑖 + 4𝑦𝑖 2 = 6 + 7𝑖
By equating both side of the
equation: 𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 4𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑖 = 6 + 7𝑖
By equating both side of the
𝑥−2=0 𝑦+1=0
equation:
𝑥=2 𝑦 = −1
𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 6 4𝑥 + 𝑦 = 7
𝑥 = 6 + 4𝑦 1 𝑦 = 7 − 4𝑥 2

Substitute 2 into 1 Substitute 𝑦 = −1 into 1

𝑦 = 7 − 4(6 + 4𝑦) 𝑥 = 6 + 4(−1)
𝑦 = 7 − 24 − 16𝑦 𝑥=2
17𝑦 = −17
𝑦 = −1
• A quadratic equation a𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 𝜖 ℝ, has either two real roots
or two complex roots.
• If the discriminant 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, the roots are complex numbers and are
conjugates of each other.
Example:
1) Find the roots of the equation 𝑧 2 − 4𝑧 + 13 = 0.
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = −4 2 − 4 × 13 −𝑏 ± 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑧=
= −36 2𝑎
= 36𝑖 4 ± 36𝑖 2
=
Since 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, therefore 2
the roots are complex numbers. 4 ± 6𝑖
=
2
= 2 ± 3𝑖
• A complex number 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 can be represented as a point on the coordinate plane,
with coordinate (𝑎, 𝑏). This plane is referred to as the Argand diagram.
• On the Argand diagram, real numbers are represented on the x-axis, while
imaginary numbers on the y-axis.
 x-axis = real axis
 y-axis = imaginary axis.
Exercise:
Show the following complex number in an argand diagram.

1) 𝑧 = 5 + 2𝑖

2) 𝑧 = −2 + 3𝑖

3) 𝑧 = 3 − 7𝑖

4) 𝑧 = −4 − 𝑖
The modulus of a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖, written as 𝑧 , is the distance of the
point 𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦 from the origin O. Thus,
𝑧 = 𝑂𝑃
= 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
The argument of a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖, written as arg 𝑧, is the angle of
inclination, 𝜃, of OP with the x-axis (or real axis). This angle 𝜃, expressed in radians, is
such that −𝜋 < 𝜃 < 𝜋.
𝑦
tan 𝜃 = 𝑦
𝑥 arg 𝑧 = 𝜃 = tan −1
𝑦
𝜃 = tan−1 𝑥
𝑥
Polar form of a complex number
• Since 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 and 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃, where 𝑟 is the modulus and 𝜃 is the argument, ,
𝑟 > 0 and −𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 < 𝜋.
• We can also write the complex number in the its polar form.

𝑧 = (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖)

𝑦 z = 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖
𝑥
sin 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = = (𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑟 sin 𝜃)
𝑟 𝑟 = 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)
𝑟 sin 𝜃 = 𝑦 𝑟 cos 𝜃 = 𝑥
Polar form
Exercise:
Express the following complex number in the polar form.

1) 𝑧 = 1 + 𝑖

2) 𝑧 = 3 + 𝑖

3) 𝑧 = 2 + 𝑖

4) 𝑧 = 3 + 4𝑖
Solution:
1) 𝑧 = 1 + 𝑖 2) 𝑧 = 3 + 𝑖
𝑟= 1 2+ 1 2
2
𝑟= 3 + 1 2
= 2
1 =2
tan 𝜃 = 1
1 tan 𝜃 =
𝜃 = tan−1 1 3
𝜋 −1
1
𝜃= 𝜃 = tan
4 3
𝜋
𝜃=
𝑧 =1+𝑖 6
𝜋 𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin 𝑧 = 3+𝑖
4 4 𝜋 𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
6 6
Solution:
3) 𝑧 = 2 + 𝑖 4) 𝑧 = 3 + 4𝑖

𝑟= 2 2+ 1 2 𝑟= 3 2 + 4 2

= 5 =5
1
tan 𝜃 = 4
2 tan 𝜃 =
1 3
𝜃 = tan −1
2 4
𝜃 = 0.464 𝑟𝑎𝑑. 𝜃= tan−1
3
𝜃 = 0.927 𝑟𝑎𝑑.
𝑧 =2+𝑖
𝑧 = 5 cos 0.464 + 𝑖 sin 0.464 𝑧 = 3 + 4𝑖
𝑧 = 5 cos 0.927 + 𝑖 sin 0.927
Let 𝑧1 = 𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 and 𝑧2 = 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 ) be two complex numbers
in polar form.
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2
= 𝑟1 𝑟2 cos 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 cos 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 2 sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2
= 𝑟1 𝑟2 cos 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 − sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 + 𝑖(sin 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 + cos 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 )
= 𝑟1 𝑟2 cos(𝜃1 + 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 sin(𝜃1 + 𝜃2 )
Let 𝑧1 = 𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 and 𝑧2 = 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 ) be two complex numbers
in polar form. Then, the quotient of 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 is
𝑧1 𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1
=
𝑧2 𝑟2 (cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 )
𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 (cos 𝜃2 − 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 )
= ×
𝑟2 (cos 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 ) (cos 𝜃2 − 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 )
𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 (cos 𝜃2 − 𝑖 sin 𝜃2 )
=
𝑟2 (cos 2 𝜃2 − 𝑖 2 sin2 𝜃2 )
𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 − 𝑖 cos 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 − 𝑖 2 sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2
=
𝑟2 (cos 2 𝜃2 + sin2 𝜃2 )
𝑟1 cos 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 + sin 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 + 𝑖(sin 𝜃1 cos 𝜃2 − cos 𝜃1 sin 𝜃2 )
= ×
𝑟2 (cos 2 𝜃2 + sin2 𝜃2 )
𝑟1
= cos(𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) + 𝑖 sin(𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )
𝑟2
If z = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃 , then for all real value or 𝑛 (𝑛𝜖ℝ).

𝑧 𝑛 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃 𝑛
= 𝑟 𝑛 cos 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝑛𝜃

By using De Moivere’s Theorem, we can find 𝑛𝑡ℎ power of a complex number, by

taking the 𝑛𝑡ℎ power or the modulus and multiplying the argument by 𝑛.
Example:
𝜋 𝜋 3
Find the value of cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
𝜋 𝜋 3 𝜋 𝜋
cos + 𝑖 sin ≡ cos 3 + 𝑖 sin 3
3 3 3 3
≡ cos 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋
≡ −1
Root of a complex number
• To find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ root of a complex number, we need to solve the equation 𝑤 𝑛 = 𝑧.
Let:
𝑤 = 𝑠(cos ∅ + 𝑖 sin ∅)
𝑧 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃
By using De Moivre’s Theorem,

𝑤𝑛 =𝑧
𝑠 cos ∅ + 𝑖 sin ∅ 𝑛 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃
𝑠 𝑛 cos ∅ + 𝑖 sin ∅ 𝑛 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃
𝑠 𝑛 cos 𝑛∅ + 𝑖 sin 𝑛∅ = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃

𝑠𝑛 = 𝑟 cos 𝑛∅ = cos 𝜃 sin 𝑛∅ = sin 𝜃

1
𝑠= 𝑟𝑛
Since the sine and cosine functions are periodic and have period 2𝜋.
Therefore,
𝑛∅ = 𝜃 + 2k𝜋 The root of a complex number is given by:
𝜃 + 2k𝜋 1 𝜃 + 2k𝜋 𝜃 + 2k𝜋
∅= 𝑤= 𝑟𝑛 cos + 𝑖 sin
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
Where 𝑘 = 0,1,2,3, … , (𝑛 − 1).
Example:
Find the roots of the 𝑧 2 = 1.
𝑧2 = 1 𝑘=0
1
𝑧 = 1(cos 2𝑘𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 2𝑘𝜋)2 𝑧 = cos 0 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 0 𝜋
𝑧 = cos 𝑘𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝑘𝜋 𝑧=1
𝑘=1
Where 𝑘 = 0, 1 𝑧 = cos 1 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 1 𝜋
𝑧 = −1
Exercise:
Find the root of following question:

𝜋 𝜋 6
1) cos
4
− 𝑖 sin
4

𝜋 𝜋 4
2) sin
3
+ 𝑖 cos
3

3) 𝑧 3 = −8
1
4) (1+𝑖)4
Solutions:
𝜋 𝜋 6
1) cos − 𝑖 sin
4 4

𝜋 𝜋 6 𝜋 𝜋 6
cos − 𝑖 sin ≡ cos − + 𝑖 sin −
4 4 4 4
6𝜋 6𝜋
≡ cos − + 𝑖 sin −
4 4
3𝜋 3𝜋
≡ cos − 𝑖 sin
2 2
≡ 0 − 𝑖(−1)
≡𝑖
Solutions:
𝜋 𝜋 4
2) sin + 𝑖 cos
3 3

𝜋 𝜋 4 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 4
sin + 𝑖 cos ≡ cos − + 𝑖 sin −
3 3 2 3 2 3
𝜋 𝜋 4
≡ cos + 𝑖 sin
6 6
𝜋 𝜋
≡ cos 4 + 𝑖 sin 4
6 6
2𝜋 2𝜋
≡ cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
1 3
≡− +𝑖
2 2
Solutions:
3) 𝑧 3 = −8
𝑧 3 = −8
1
𝑧 = 8 cos 𝜋 + 2𝑘𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋 + 2𝑘𝜋 3

𝜋 + 2𝑘𝜋 𝜋 + 2𝑘𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
Where 𝑘 = 0, 1, 2
𝑘=0
𝜋 + 2(0)𝜋 𝜋 + 2(0)𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
𝜋 𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
1 3
𝑧=2 +𝑖
2 2
𝑧 =1+𝑖 3
𝑘=1
𝜋 + 2(1)𝜋 𝜋 + 2(1)𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
𝑧 = 2 cos 𝜋 + 𝑖 sin 𝜋
𝑧 = 2 −1
𝑧 = −2
𝑘=2
𝜋 + 2(2)𝜋 𝜋 + 2(2)𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
5𝜋 5𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑧 = 2 −cos + 𝑖 sin
3 3
1 3
𝑧=2 − − 𝑖 𝑧 = −1 − 𝑖 3
2 2
Solutions:
1
4) 4 1 1
(1+𝑖) ≡
(1 + 𝑖)4 𝜋 𝜋 4
2 cos 4 + 𝑖 sin 4
𝑟= 1 2+ 1 2

= 2 1 𝜋 𝜋 −4
≡ cos + 𝑖 sin
1 4 4 4
tan 𝜃 = 1
1 ≡ cos −𝜋 + 𝑖 sin −𝜋
𝜃 = tan−1 1 4
𝜋 1
𝜃= ≡ −1 + 𝑖 0
4 4
1
𝜋 𝜋 ≡−
(1 + 𝑖) = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin 4
4 4