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MTH 324 (Complex Analysis)

Lecture # 2(Polar form)

Vector
In two dimensional space the point ( x, y ) can be viewed as a position vector of a

point P ( x, y ) . The length of this vector OP is given by x 2 + y 2 . This length is
given a special name.
Modulus
The modulud of a complex number z = x + iy is the real number z = x 2 + y 2 . For
example, if z = 2 + 5i then z = 29 .
Caution
In real number system modulus is the number itself without sign but in complex
number this is not true,e.g, the modulus of −9i is 9 , not 9i .
Properties
z = z z and z = z
2

Re( z )  z and Im( z )  z


z 1 z2 = z 1 z2
z1 z
= 1 , z2  0.
z2 z2
z n = z , n is an integer.
n

( ) (
z1 z2 + z2 z1 = 2 Re z1 z2 = 2 Re z2 z1 )
Distance between two points
If z1 = x1 + iy1 and z2 = x2 + iy2 are two complex numbers then the distance between
z1 and z2 is given by z1 − z2 = ( x1 − x2 ) + ( y1 − y2 ) .
2 2

Set of points in the complex plane


Example
Describe the set of points z in the complex plane that satisfy z = z − i .
Solution
Let z = x + iy . Therefore,
z = z − i  x + iy = x + i ( y − 1)
 x 2 + y 2 = x 2 + ( y − 1) 2
1
y= , −   x  ,
2
Which is equation of a stright line parallel to x-axis.

Inequalities
In last lecture, we pointed out that no order relation can be defined in the set of
complex number. Since modulus of a complex number is a real number, so we can
compare modulus of complex numbers.

Triangle inequality
Let z1 and z2 be two complex numbers. Then
z1 − z2  z1 + z2  z1 + z2 .
Proof.
Consider
z1 + z2 = ( z1 + z2 )( z1 + z2 )
2

(
= ( z1 + z2 ) z1 + z2 )
= z1 + z1 z2 + z2 z1 + z2
2 2

= z1 + 2 Re z1 z2 + z2
2
( ) 2

 z1 + 2 z1 z2 + z2
2 2

= ( z1 + z2 )
2

This implies,
z1 + z2  z1 + z2 . (2.1)
Now,
z1 = ( z1 − z2 ) + z2
 z1 = ( z1 − z2 ) + z2  z1 − z2 + z2
 z1 − z2  z1 − z2  z1 − − z2  z1 + z2
 z1 − z2  z1 + z2 (2.2)
Similarly, we can show that

− ( z1 − z2 )  z1 + z2 (2.3)

From (2.1) to (2.3), we have

z1 − z2  z1 + z2  z1 + z2 .
Polar coordinates
If 0  ( x, y ) are rectangular coordinates of a point P ( x, y ) then its polar coordinates
are given by ( r , ) , where x = r cos  and y = r sin  .
Polar form of a complex number
Let z = x + iy be a non-zero complex number. Then z = r ( cos  + i sin  ) is called polar
form of z = x + iy . Here r = x 2 + y 2 and  = tan −1   .  is called argument of z and
y
x
denoted by arg( z ) . Note that the argument of z is not unique.
Principal argument
The value of argument  , which satisfies the inequality −     , is called
principal argument and denoted by A rg( z ) .
Remark
a rg( z ) = A rg( z ) + 2k , k = 0, 1,  2,....
Example:
Find the principal arguments of 1 + i, − 1 + i, − 1 − i and 1 − i.
Solution
1 
Let z1 = 1 + i = (1,1) . Then , A rg( z1 ) = tan −1 ( ) = .
14
1 3
z2 = −1 + i = (−1,1) . Then , A rg( z2 ) = tan −1 (− ) = .
1 4
−1 3
z3 = −1 − i = (−1, −1) . Then , A rg( z3 ) = tan −1 ( ) = − .
−1 4
1 
z4 = 1 − i = (1, −1) . Then , A rg( z4 ) = tan −1 (− ) = − .
1 4
Example
Express z = − 3 − i in polar form.
Solution
 −1  
(− 3)
2
r= z = + (−1) 2 = 2 and  = tan −1   + 2 k  = 6 + 2 k .
− 3
So,
   
z = 2  cos( + 2k ) + i sin( + 2k )  .
 6 6 
Example
Show that
(i) arg( z1 z2 ) = arg z1 + arg z2
z
(ii) arg( 1 ) = arg z1 − arg z2 .
z2
Solution
(i) Let z1 = r1 ( cos 1 + i sin 1 ) and z2 = r2 ( cos 2 + i sin 2 ) . Then

z1 z2 = r1r2 ( ( cos 1 cos  2 − sin 1 sin  2 ) + i ( sin 1 cos  2 + cos 1 sin  2 ) )


= r1r2 ( cos (1 +  2 ) + i sin (1 +  2 ) )
arg( z1 z2 ) = 1 +  2 = arg z1 + arg z2 .
Similarly, we can prove the second part.

De Moivre’s Theorem

( cos  + i sin  ) = cos n + i sin n .


n

Remark
Above theorem can be used to find the powers and roots.
Example
Find (1 + i )
300
.
Solution


Let z = 1 + i . Therefore, z = 2 and  = + 2k . So,
4
   
1 + i = 2  cos( + 2k ) + i sin( + 2k ) 
 4 4 
 
100

 (1 + i ) ( )  
100
= 2  cos( + 2k ) + i sin( + 2k ) 
100

 4 4 
 = 2 ( cos(25 + 200k ) + i sin(25 + 200k ) )
50

 = −250.

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