Complex Numbers

(Part 2)

Geometrical Implications

As a complex number has two components, x and y, we need a number

plane to represent the complex number geometrically.
Thus (3,2) can represent:
Its conjugate is:

z 3 2i

They are on a circle with centre (0,0)

The radius is

r 32 22

-1

z 3 2i

13
1

-1

With angle
trigonometry

gives a link with

Called the Modulus/Argument Form:

-2

-3

Z'

z r cos i sin
(short
rcisform)

Geometrical Implications

Relationship between a complex number and its conjugate.

is the reflection of

Note that

cos cos

sin sin
1

-1

-3

z r cos i sin
r cos i sin

because

-2

in the x-axis.

z r cos i sin

-1

adding, gives:
Z'

z z x iy x iy
2x
2 Re z

Geometrical Implications

Relationship between a complex number and its conjugate.

z z x iy x iy

Subtracting gives:

2iy

2 Im z

We note that this leads to a VECTOR

representation for complex numbers:

-1

-3

-4

Z'

z plus z = z z

z minus z = z z

-1

-2

multiplying a complex number by -1 reverses its

direction
This is the equivalent of a 180 degree rotation!

Geometrical Implications

Adding complex numbers as vectors the parallelogram connection

2i vector
If z1 3
isthe

i vector
and if z2 2isthe

then z1 z2 3 2i 2 i

z1

O
-1

5i
uuur
is the vector OC

-1

uuu
r
OA
uuu
r
OB

z2

z1 z2
2

C
4

We can also see that we reach the

same endpoint by putting the
vectors top to tail

-2

-3

-4

-5

And it doesnt matter if we use

z1 z2 or z2 z1

Geometrical Implications
Adding complex numbers as vectors the parallelogram connection

2i
If z2 then

so doing top to tail will give the

resultant vector: z2 z2 1 3i

z1 z2
2

D
-3

-2

z1
C

z2
O
-1

We also note that, in sliding the

vectors around to top to tail them,
there are two versions:

-1

z2 2 i

z2

The fixedz2
and the free z2

(starts at the origin)

(starts elsewhere)

-3

These have the same mod and arg, so

are essentially the same.

-4

So moving z2 z2

-2

-5

shows us that z2 z2 and z2 z2 are

the diagonals of the parallelogram.

Geometrical Implications

Naming free vectors

uuur
How do we name AC ?
A

z1
z2
O

z3
B

uuu
r
Name AB

We need to connect A to C via O.

uuu
r
If we
the name of vectors OA
uuknow
ur
and OC , we trace from A to O to
C, naming the vectors as we go

uuu
r
uuur
Let OA z1 and OC z2

A to O is z1 (reverse direction)
O to C is z2 (same direction)
A to O to C is z1 z2

z2 z1

uuu
r

Note: C to O to A is CA z2 z1
i.e. 180 rotation.

z2 z1
uuur
AC

Geometrical Implications

Modulus/Argument form

As indicated earlier in the circle, using

trigonometry:

z r cos i sin
rcis
1

Z1

-1

If z1 is on the unit circle with

3
then (r=1):

z1 cos i sin
3
3

Mod/Arg Form
cis
3
1
3
i
2
2
1
x+iy form
1 i 3
2
z2 1 i
x+iy form

2cis
-1

r z2
Z2

1 1
2

Mod/Arg Form, where

1
tan
1

4
1

Geometrical Implications

Multiplication using Modulus/Argument form

While it is easier to add or subtract using the form

using the form

z r cos i sin

z x iy , it is easier to multiply or divide

For example, compare the previous example:

1
3
1 i
i

2
2
1
3 1
3
i
i i i
2
2 2
2
1
3 1
3

i

2 2
2
2

1 3 1 3

i

2
2

which is just a bit too messy!

with the Mod/Arg version

Geometrical Implications

Multiplication using Modulus/Argument form

Using the Mod/Arg Form z1 cis
z2 2cis

3
4

Lets consider, with z1 r1cis , z 2 r2 cis

r1cis .r2 cis

r1r2 cos cos i sin cos i sin cos i sin i sin

r1r2 cos cos sin sin i sin cos sin cos
r1r2 cos i sin
r1r2 cis

i.e. multiply the mods, add the args!

z1 z2 1. 2cis
3 4

2cis
12

Note: both forms must be equal, so

1 3 1 3
2cis
i

12
2
2
Which can give us some exact values for args

Geometrical Implications

Modulus/Argument form geometrically?

In Mod/Arg form, our 180 rotation is

multiplication by -1:

1 1 0i
cos i sin
This leads to , i.e.
1 cos i sin
cis
Example:

1 i 1

[(x+iy) form]
or

1 i

2cis cis
4

2cis
4

5
2cis form]
[mod/arg
4

-3

-2

-1

Z'

-1

-2

-3

Geometrical Implications

Modulus/Argument form geometrically?

This then leads to the question, what does

multiplying by i do?

i 0 1i
cos i sin

This leads to
, i.e.
2

i cos i sin
2
2

cis
2
i is:
i
Now: 1
which

cis
4
2
3
2cis
4
2cis

Z'
A

-3

-2

-1

-1

-2

3
3

2 cos
i sin
4
4

1
1
2
i
2
2
1 i

-3

i.e. a 90 rotation!