139

Complex Numbers
UNIT 5 COMPLEX NUMBERS
Structure
5.1 Introduction
Objectives
5.2 Complex Numbers
5.2.1 Algebra of Complex Numbers
5.2.2 Complex Numbers Defined as Ordered Pair of Real Numbers
5.2.3 Basic Properties of Complex Numbers
5.3 Geometrical Representation of Complex Numbers
5.3.1 Argand Diagram
5.3.2 Modulus and Argument
5.3.3 Properties of Modulus and Argument
5.4 Exponential and Circular Functions of Complex Numbers
5.5 Summary
5.6 Answers to SAQs
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The concept of imaginary numbers has its historical origin in the fact that the
solution of the quadratic equation leads to an expression 0
2
= + + c bx ax
a
ac b b
2
4
2

which is not found meaningfull when < 0. This is
because of the fact that the square of a real number is never negative. So it
created the need of the extension of the system of real numbers. Euler was the
first mathematician who introduced the symbol i far
ac b 4
2

1 with the properties

and accordingly a root of the equation . Also symbol of the
form a + ib where a and b are real numbers was called a complex number.
1
2
= i 0 1
2
= + x
In this unit, we will study the system of complex numbers, the algebraic
operations on complex numbers and the fundamental laws of these operations.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to
identify a complex number,
determine its complex conjugate, modulus and argument,
describe the basic properties of complex numbers, its modulus and
argument, and
explain the De Moivres theorem and give some useful properties of
the theorem.
5.2 COMPLEX NUMBERS
A number of the form a + ib, where a and b are real numbers and 1 = i is
called a complex number. The real number a is called the real part and the real
number b is called the imaginary part of the complex number a + ib.



140
Let a + ib be denoted by z, i.e. z = a + ib.
Mathematics-II

If a = 0, then z = ib and z is said to be purely imaginary. If b = 0, then z = a and z
is said to be real.
a ib is said to be the conjugate of z = a + ib and is denoted by z .
5.2.1 Algebra of Complex Numbers
Let z
1
= a + ib and z
2
= c + id be two complex numbers. Then z
1
is said to be
equal to z
2
if and only if a = c and b = d.
Addition
) ( ) (
2 1
id c ib a z z + + + = + is defined as ) ( ) ( d b i c a + + + .
Subtraction
) ( ) (
2 1
id c ib a z z + + = is defined as ) ( ) ( d b i c a + .
Multiplication
) ( ) (
2 1
id c ib a z z + + = is defined as ) ( ) ( ad bc i bd ac + + .
Division
Let 0 0 , 0 and . e . i
2
d c z .
We will prove that there exists a complex number z = x + iy such that

2 1
z z z . =
This z is called the quotient of z
1
and z
2
and is denoted by
2
1
z
z
.

2 1
z z z . =
) ( ) ( ) ( id c iy x ib a + + = +
) ( ) ( cy dx i dy cx + + =
a = cx dy, b = dx + cy
Solving for x and y, we have

2 2 2 2
,
d c
ad bc
y
d c
bd ac
x
+

=
+
+
=

2 2 2 2
2
1
d c
ad bc
i
d c
bd ac
z
z
+

+
+
+
=
5.2.2 Complex Numbers Defined as Ordered Pair of Real
Numbers
A complex number z = a + ib is represented by an ordered pair (a, b) of real
numbers and the set of all complex numbers is represented by C.
i.e. } , ) , ( : { R b a b a z z C = =
Two complex numbers (a, b) and (c, d) are said to be equal iff a = c and b = d.
The complex number (a, b) is said to be zero complex number iff a = 0 and b = 0.

141

Complex Numbers
The complex number ( a, b) is called the negative of the complex number
(a, b) and vice-versa. We denote ( a, b) by (a, b) and (a, b) is the complex
conjugate of (a, b).
Hence (a, b) + (c, d) = (a + c, b + d)
(a, b) (c, d) = (ac bd, ad + bc)
(a, b) (c, d) = (a, b) + ( c, d)
= (a c, b d)
and

+
+
=
2 2 2 2
,
) , (
) , (
d c
ad bc
d c
bd ac
d c
b a

5.2.3 Basic Properties of Complex Numbers
If z
1
, z
2
, z
3
are three complex numbers, then it can be proved that
(i)
1 2 2 1
z z z z + = +
(ii) ) ( ) (
3 2 1 3 2 1
z z z z z z + + = + +
(iii)
1 2 2 1
z z z z =
(iv) ) ( ) (
3 2 1 3 2 1
z z z z z z =
(v)
3 1 2 1 3 2 1
) ( z z z z z z z + = +
(vi)
3 2 3 1 3 2 1
) ( z z z z z z z + = +
(vii)
2 1 2 1
z z z z + = +
(viii)
2 1 2 1
z z z z . =
(ix) 0 ,
2
2
1
2
1
=

z
z
z
z
z

We will prove (viii).
) ( ) (
2 1
id c ib a z z + + =
) ( ) ( bc ad i bd ac + + =
) ( ) (
2 1
bc ad i bd ac z z + =
) ( ) ( id c ib a =

2 1
z z =
The other properties can be proved.


Example 5.1
Express
i
i i
+
+ +
3
) 2 ( ) 1 (
in the form a + ib.
Solution
i
i i
i
i i
+
+ +
=
+
+ +
3
1 2 2
3
) 2 ( ) 1 (




142
Mathematics-II


i
i
+
+
=
3
3 1


) 3 ( ) 3 (
) 3 ( ) 3 1 (
i i
i i
+
+
=

1 9
3 9 3
+
+ +
=
i i


10
8 6 i +
=
i
5
4
5
3
+ =


Example 5.2
Express
) 2 1 ( ) 3 4 (
) 2 ( ) 6 (
i i
i i
+
+
in the form a + ib.
Solution
i
i
i
i
i i
i i
5 10
4 13
) 8 3 ( 6 4
) 6 2 ( 1 12
) 2 1 ( ) 3 4 (
) 2 ( ) 6 (

=
+ +
+ +
=
+
+


25 100
25 150
) 5 10 ( ) 5 10 (
) 5 10 ( ) 4 13 (
+
+
=
+
+
=
i
i i
i i

i
i
5
1
5
6
5
6
+ =
+
= .
5.3 GEOMETRICAL REPRESENTATION OF
COMPLEX NUMBERS
5.3.1 Argand Diagram
Mathematician Argand represented a complex number in a diagram known as
Argand diagram. A complex number x + iy can be represented by a point P whose
coordinate are (x, y). The axis of x is called the real axis and the axis of y the
imaginary axis. The distance OP is the modulus and the angle, OP makes with the
x-axis, is the argument of x + iy.

x x
r
P (x, y)
y
y





Figure 5.1
5.3.2 Modulus and Argument
Let x + iy be a complex number.
Putting x = r cos and y = r sin so that
2 2
y x r + = .

143

Complex Numbers

2 2
cos
y x
x
+
= and
2 2
sin
y x
y
+
=
the positive value of the root being taken.
Then r is called the modulus or absolute value of the complex number x + iy and
is denoted by | x + iy |.
The angle is called the argument or amplitude of the complex number x + iy and
is denoted by argument (x + iy) and
x
y
1
tan

= .
It is clear that will have infinite number of values differing by multiples of 2.
The values of lying in the range < is called the principal value of the
argument.
Note : z z iy x iy x y x r = + = + = ) ( ) (
2 2 2
.
The complex number in polar form is ) sin (cos + = i r z .


Example 5.3
Find the modulus and principal argument of the complex number
2
) 1 ( 1
2 1
i
i

+
.
Solution

) 2 1 1 ( 1
2 1
) 1 ( 1
2 1
2
i
i
i
i

+
=

+

1
2 1
2 1
=
+
+
=
i
i

i 0 1 + =
1
) 1 ( 1
2 1
2
=

+
i
i

Principal argument of
2
) 1 ( 1
2 1
i
i

+


o 1 1
0 0 tan
1
0
tan = = =




Example 5.4
Express
i
i
3 1
2 1

+
in the form r (cos + i sin ).
Solution
) 3 1 ( ) 3 1 (
) 3 1 ( ) 2 1 (
3 1
2 1
i i
i i
i
i
+
+ +
=

+


9 1
5 6 1
+
+
=
i




144
Mathematics-II


10
5 5 i +
=

2 2
1 i
+ =
) sin (cos
2 2
1
+ = + i r
i
. . . (5.1)

2
1
cos = r . . . (5.2)

2
1
sin = r . . . (5.3)
Squaring Eqs. (5.2) and (5.3) and then adding, we get

4
1
4
1
) sin (cos
2 2 2
+ = + r

2
1
2
1
or
2
= = r r
Putting the value of r in Eqs. (5.2) and (5.3), we have

2
1
cos
2
1
cos
2
1
or = = . . . (5.4)

2
1
sin
2
1
sin
2
1
or = = . . . (5.5)
From Eqs. (5.4) and (5.5), we have

4
3
=
Putting the values of r and in Eq. (5.1), we get

+
4
3
sin
4
3
cos
2
1
3 1
2 1
i
i
i
.

5.3.3 Properties of Modulus and Argument
Theorem 1
If z
1
and z
2
are two complex numbers, then
(i) | | | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z =
(ii)
| |
|
2
1
2
1
z
z
z
z |
= , provided z
2
0
(iii) | | | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z + +
(iv) | | | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z +
(v) | | | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z
Proof
(i) ) ( ) ( | |
2 1 2 1
2
2 1
z z z z z z =

145

Complex Numbers
) ( ) (
2 1 2 1
z z z z =
) ( ) (
2 2 1 1
z z z z =

2
2
2
1
| | | | z z =
Since the modulus of a complex number is always non-negative,
| | | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z =
(ii) Can be similarly proved.
(iii) ) ( ) ( | |
2 1 2 1
2
2 1
z z z z z z + + = +
) ( ) (
2 1 2 1
z z z z + + =

1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1
z z z z z z z z + + + =

1 2 2 1
2
2
2
1
| | | z z z z z z | + + + =
) ( | | |
2 1 2 1
2
2
2
1
z z z z z z | + + + =
real part of 2 | | |
2
2
2
1
+ + = z z | ) (
2 1
z z
| | 2 | | |
2 1
2
2
2
1
z z z z | + +
|) | (
2 1 2 1
of part al Re z z z z
| | | | 2 | | | | | | | 2 | | |
2 1
2
2
2
1 2 1
2
2
2
1
z z z z | z z z z | + + = + + ) | | | (
2 2
z z | =

2
2 1
|] | | [ z z | + =
| | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z | + +
(iv) ) ( ) ( | |
2 1 2 1
2
2 1
z z z z z z + + = +
) ( ) (
2 1 2 1
z z z z + + =

1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1
z z z z z z z z + + + =
| | Re 2 | | |
2 1
2
2
2
1
z z z z | + + =
| | 2 | | |
2 1
2
2
2
1
z z z z | +

2
2 1
|] | | [ z z |
| | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z | +
(v) | | | |
2 2 1 1
z z z z + =
by (iii) | | | |
2 2 1
z z z +
| | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z |
i.e. | | | | |
2 1 2 1
z z z z |

Theorem 2
Prove that



146
(i) The argument of the product of two complex numbers is the sum
of their arguments.
Mathematics-II

(ii) The argument of the quotient of two complex numbers is the
difference of their arguments.
Proof
(i) Let ) sin (cos
1 1 1 1 1 1
+ = + = i r y i x z
and ) sin (cos
2 2 2 2 2 2
+ = + = i r y i x z be two complex numbers.
Then
2 2 1 1
| | , | r z r z | = = ,
and argument
1 1
= z , argument
2 2
= z .
Now )] sin (cos [ )] sin (cos [
2 2 2 1 1 1 2 1
+ + = i r i r z z
) sin (cos ) sin (cos
2 2 1 1 2 1
+ + = i i r r
)] ( sin ) ( [cos
2 1 2 1 2 1
+ + + = i r r
Argument
2 1 2 1 2 1
argument argument z z z z + = + = .
Cor.
| | | | |
2 1 2 1 2 1
z z r r z z | = = .
(ii)
) sin (cos ) sin (cos
) sin (cos ) sin (cos
) sin (cos
) sin (cos
2 2 2 2
2 2 1 1
2
1
2 2 2
1 1 1
2
1
+
+
=
+
+
=
i i
i i
r
r
i r
i r
z
z

)] ( sin ) ( [cos
2 1 2 1
2
1
+ = i
r
r

Hence the result.
Cor.
|
|
2
1
2
1
2
1
z |
z |
r
r
z
z
= = .

SAQ 1

(a) Express the following in the form a + i b, where a and b are real
numbers
(i)
i
i i
+
+ +
1
) 2 ( ) 4 3 (

(ii)
) 2 ( ) 1 (
) 2 1 (
3
i i
i
+
+




(b) Find the modulus and principal argument of

147

Complex Numbers
(i)
i
i

+
1
) 1 (
2

(ii) i 3




(c) Put the following complex numbers into polar form ) sin cos ( + i r
(i)
i
i
3 5
3 6 2
+
+

(ii)
2
) 2 1 (
) 3 ( ) 5 2 (
i
i i

+ +





5.4 EXPONENTIAL AND CIRCULAR FUNCTIONS
OF COMPLEX NUMBERS
Definition 1
If z = x + i y, we define
. . .
! 3 ! 2
1
3 2
+ + + + =
z z
z e
z
. . . (1)
. . .
! 7 ! 5 ! 3
sin
7 5 3
+ + =
z z z
z z . . . (2)
. . .
! 6 ! 4 ! 2
1 cos
6 4 2
+ + =
z z z
z . . . (3)
From Eqs. (2) and (3), we have

+ + = + . . .
! 6 ! 4 ! 2
1 sin cos
6 4 2
z z z
z i z

+ + . . .
! 5 ! 3
5 3
z z
z i
. . .
! 3
) (
! 2
) (
! 1
1
3 2
+ + + + =
z i z i z i


z i
e =
. . . (4)
z i
e z i z = + sin cos
Similarly . . . (5)
z i
e z i z

= sin cos
Hence from Eqs. (4) and (5), we have



148
Mathematics-II

2
cos
z i z i
e e
z

+
= . . . (6)

2
sin
z i z i
e e
z

= . . . (7)
5.4.1 De Moivres Theorem
If n is an integer, then . sin cos ) sin (cos n i n i
n
+ = +
Proof
We know that

= +
i
e i sin cos


= = +
n i n i n
e e i ) ( ) sin (cos
+ = n i n sin cos
Cor.
If n is a fraction, then + n i n sin cos is one of the values of
.
n
i ) sin (cos +


Example 5.5
Express
4
8
) cos (sin
) sin (cos
+
+
i
i
in the form x + i y.
Solution

4
4
8
4
8
sin
1
cos ) (
) sin (cos
) cos (sin
) sin (cos

+
+
=
+
+
i
i
i
i
i


4 1
8
4
8
] ) sin [(cos
) sin (cos
) sin (cos
) sin (cos

+
+
=

+
=
i
i
i
i


4 8
4
8
) sin (cos ) sin (cos
) sin (cos
) sin (cos
+ + =
+
+
=

i i
i
i


12
) sin (cos + = i


Example 5.6
Prove that
n n
i i ) sin cos 1 ( ) sin cos 1 ( + + + +
2
cos
2
cos 2
1

=
+
n
n n

where n is an integer.
Solution
2
cos
2
sin 2 . 1
2
cos 2 1 sin cos 1
2

+

+ = + + i i

+

=
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2 i

149

Complex Numbers
and
2
cos
2
sin 2 . 1
2
cos 2 1 sin cos 1
2

+ = + i i

=
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2 i

1
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2

+

= i

n n
i i ) sin cos 1 ( ) sin cos 1 ( + + + +

n
n
i i

+

+

+

=
1
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2

n
n n
i

+

=
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2
n
n n
i

+

+
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2

+

=
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2
n
i
n n
i
n
n n n n

+

=
2
sin
2
cos
2
sin
2
cos
2
cos 2
n
i
n n
i
n
n n


2
cos 2 .
2
cos 2

=
n
n n


2
cos
2
cos 2
1

=
+
n
n n



Example 5.7
If n is a positive integer, prove that
6
cos 2 ) 3 ( ) 3 (
1

= + +
+
n
i i
n n n
.
Solution
Let ) sin (cos 3 + = + i r i
Then
6
tan
3
1
tan , 2 1 3

= = = + = r

6

=
Hence

= +
6
sin
6
cos 2 3 i i
and

=
6
sin
6
cos 2 3 i i
Hence
n n
n n
i i i i

= + +
6
sin
6
cos 2
6
sin
6
cos 2 ) 3 ( ) 3 (

n
n
n
n
i i

=
6
sin
6
cos 2
6
sin
6
cos 2



150
Mathematics-II

=
6
sin
6
cos 2
6
sin
6
cos 2
n
i
n n
i
n
n n

=
6
sin
6
cos
6
sin
6
cos 2
n
i
n n
i
n
n


6
cos 2
6
cos 2 . 2
1

=

=
+
n n
n n



Example 5.8
Find the different values of
3
1
) 1 ( i + .
Solution
) sin (cos 1 + = + i r i
Then 2 1 1 = + = r
and
4
, 1
1
1
tan . e . i

= = =

= +
4
sin
4
cos 2 1 i i

3
1
3
1
4
sin
4
cos 2 ) 1 (

= + i i

3
1
4
2 sin
4
2 cos 2

+ +

+ = n i n

+ +

+ =
4
2
3
1
sin
4
2
3
1
cos ) 2 (
6
1
n i n
Putting n = 0, 1, 2, the three different values of
3
1
) 1 ( i + are

12
9
sin
12
9
cos ) 2 ( ,
12
sin
12
cos ) 2 (
6
1
6
1
i i

12
17
sin
12
17
cos ) 2 (
6
1
i



Example 5.9
Use De Moivers theorem to solve the equation . 0 1
3
= + x
Solution
+ = = = + sin cos 1 0 1
3 3
i x x
) 2 ( sin ) 2 ( cos
3
+ + + = n i n x

151

Complex Numbers
i.e.
3
1
)] 2 ( sin ) 2 ( [cos + + + = n i n x

3
) 1 2 ( sin
3
) 1 2 ( cos

+ +

+ = n i n
n = 0, 1, 2
i.e. the roots are

3
5
sin
3
5
cos ), sin (cos ,
3
sin
3
cos

+

i i i
i.e.
3
5
sin
3
5
cos , 1 ,
3
sin
3
cos

+

i i
SAQ 2

(a) Find the value of
(i)
5
1
) 1 ( i +
(ii)
4
3
2
3
2
1

+




(b) Use De Moivres theorem to solve following equations
(i) 0 1
4
= + x
(ii) (Hint : Put ) 0 1
5 10
= + x x y x =
5
(iii) 0 1
2 3 4 5 6
= + + + x x x x x x
(Hint : Multiply the equation by x + 1)




5.5 SUMMARY
A number of the type y i x z + = where x and y are real numbers and
1 = i is called a complex number.
x = real part of ) ( Re z z =
y = imaginary part of ) ( Im z z =



152
Mathematics-II

y i x z + = is represented by a point P (x, y) in XOY plane (Argands
plane) and | OP | is called the modulus of z and is denoted by | z |.
r y x | z | = + =
2 2
(Say)
Then sin , cos r y r x = = where ! = XOP and is called the
argument of z.
y i x is called the complex conjugate of the complex number
y i x z + = and is denoted by , z i.e. y i x z = .
(i) z z =
(ii)
2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1
and | | | z z z z | z | z z z | = =
(iii)
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
and 0 ,
|
|
z
z
z
z
z
| z
| z
z
z
=

=
(iv) z z | z | =
2

(v) | z | z z z |
2 1 2 1
| | | + +
(vi) | z | z z z |
2 1 2 1
| | | +
and | | z | z
2 1
| | |
(vii) 0 , ), ( ) ( ) (
2 1 2 1 2 1
amp amp amp + = z z z z z z
(viii) 0 , ), ( ) (
2 1 2 1
2
1
amp amp amp =

z z z z
z
z

De Moivres theorem
(i) If n is any integer, then . sin cos ) sin (cos + = + n i n i
n
(ii) If n is a rational number, then + n i n sin cos is one of the
values of .
n
i ) sin (cos +
5.6 ANSWERS TO SAQs
SAQ 1
(a) (i) i
2
9
2
13
+
(ii) i
2
1
2
7
+

(b) (i)
4
3
, 2


(ii)
6
5
, 2


(c) (i)

3
sin
3
cos 2 i
(ii)

= =

17
1
tan ,
5
290
1
r

153

Complex Numbers
SAQ 2
(a) (i) 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 ,
4
2
5
1
sin
4
2
5
1
cos 2
10
1
=

+ +

+ n n i n
(ii) 2 , 1 , 0 ,
4 2
3
sin
4 2
3
cos 2
4
3
=

n
n
i
n

(b) (i) 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 ,
4
) 1 2 ( sin
4
) 1 2 ( cos =

+ +

+ r r i r
(ii) 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 ,
15
) 1 6 ( sin
15
) 1 6 ( cos =

+ = n n i n x
(iii) 6 , 5 , 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 ,
7
) 1 2 ( sin
7
) 1 2 ( cos =

+ +

+ = n n i n x