Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Complex Numbers

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
• explain the principles of complex numbers
• distinguish between complex number forms
• transform complex numbers into different forms

INTRODUCTION
Complex numbers are numbers from combined real number and imaginary number. It can be written in the form 𝐚 + 𝐛𝐢
where 𝐚 represents the real part and 𝐛𝐢 represents the imaginary part. The notation 𝐢 is called the imaginary unit defined
by 𝐢 = √−𝟏. By basing on the nature of the real part and imaginary part, complex numbers can be classified into four
types, namely: imaginary number, zero complex number, purely imaginary number, and purely real number

imaginary number : 𝐚≠𝟎 𝐛≠𝟎 𝐚 + 𝐛𝐢

zero complex number : 𝐚=𝟎 𝐛=𝟎 𝟎 + 𝟎𝐢
purely imaginary number : 𝐚=𝟎 𝐛≠𝟎 𝐛𝐢
purely real number : 𝐚≠𝟎 𝐛=𝟎 𝐚

DISCUSSION

The Imaginary Unit i

In a complex number, 𝐳 = 𝐚 + 𝐛𝐢, the notation 𝐢 (in some references, j) called the imaginary unit is equal to
the square root of −1. It was created by mathematicians to overcome the deficiency of real numbers in
representing solutions involving square root of negative numbers.

By its very definition, we can deduce the following properties of imaginary unit:
𝐢 = √−𝟏
𝟐
𝐢𝟐 = (√−𝟏) = −𝟏
𝐢𝟑 = 𝐢 ∙ 𝐢𝟐 = 𝐢(−𝟏) = −𝐢
𝐢𝟒 = 𝐢𝟐 ∙ 𝐢𝟐 = (−𝟏)(−𝟏) = 𝟏

Basing on the above properties, evaluating imaginary unit with higher powers, simply divide the exponent
by 4 and the resulting remainder 𝐧 will now give the value, 𝐢𝐧 .

Example:

1. Evaluate 𝐢𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 .
Solution:
Dividing 2021 by 4 will result to a remainder of 1, therefore, 𝐢𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 = 𝐢.

2. Evaluate 𝐢𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟗 + 𝐢𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟕 .

Solution:
Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT
jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 1
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Complex Numbers
Dividing 1999 by 4 will result to a remainder of 3 and dividing 1997 by 4 will result to a remainder of 1,
therefore,
𝐢𝟑 + 𝐢𝟏 = −𝐢 + 𝐢 = 𝟎.

The Complex Plane

Complex numbers can be represented through a complex plane called the Argand Diagram. It is composed
of perpendicular axes that represent the real (horizontal) and imaginary (vertical) part of a complex number
which is graphed with ordered pair (𝐚, 𝐛).

Complex Number Forms

1. Cartesian/Rectangular Form

𝐳 = 𝐚 + 𝐛𝐢

where:
a = real part
b = imaginary part

Example:
6 − 8i
−3 + 7i

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 2
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Complex Numbers
2. Polar Form

𝐳 = 𝐫∠𝛉

where:
r = magnitude/modulus of complex number z
= the distance from the origin to point (a, b)
θ = argumnet of complex number z
= the angle with respect to the positive real axis in degrees

Example:
5∠65°
12∠37°

3. Trigonometric Form

𝐳 = 𝐫(𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉 + 𝐢 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉)

where:
r = magnitude/modulus of complex number z
= the distance from the origin to point (a, b)
θ = argumnet of complex number z
= the angle with respect to the positive real axis in degrees

Example:
3(cos 35° + i sin 35°)
9 cos 70° + 9i sin 70°

4. Exponential Form

𝐳 = 𝐫𝐞𝛉𝐢

where:
r = magnitude/modulus of complex number z
= the distance from the origin to point (a, b)
θ = argumnet of complex number z
= the angle with respect to the positive real axis in radians

Example:
4.5e0.5i
π
8.6e 3 i

Complex Number Form Conversion

1. Cartesian/Rectangular to Polar/Trigonometric/Exponential

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 3
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Complex Numbers

𝐫 = √𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛 𝟐
𝐛
𝛉 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏
𝐚

Important note:
*θ is positive when measured counterclockwise while θ is negative when measured clockwise. θ computed from the
above formula is the angle from the horizontal axis. Depending on the position of the point, we must convert the
computed angle so that its value is measured from the positive real axis. θ values must range between −180° to 180° or
−π or π.
*For exponential form, the angle must be converted to radians.

Example:
Convert 𝟒 − 𝟑𝐢 to polar form.
Solution:
r = √a2 + b 2
r = √(4)2 + (−3)2
r = √25
r=5
b
θ = tan−1
a
−1
−3
θ = tan ( )
4
θ = −36.87°
When graphed on the Argand Diagram, the point lies on the 4 th
quadrant, therefore the angle can be simply −36.87°.
Answer: 𝟓∠ − 𝟑𝟔. 𝟖𝟕°

Example:
Convert −𝟑 − 𝟑𝐢 to exponential form.
Solution:
r = √a2 + b 2
r = √(−3)2 + (−3)2
r = √18
r = 3√2 = 4.24
b
θ = tan−1
a
−1
−3
θ = tan ( )
−3
θ = 45°

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 4
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Complex Numbers
When graphed on the Argand Diagram, the point lies on the 3 rd
quadrant, therefore the angle will be −135°(subtract 180°). Then
convert the angle into radians to complete its exponential form.
π
θ = −135° ×
180
θ = −2.36 radians
Answer: 𝟒. 𝟐𝟒𝐞−𝟐.𝟑𝟔𝐢

2. Polar/Trigonometric/Exponential to Cartesian/Rectangular

𝐚 = 𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛉
𝐛 = 𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝛉

Example:
Convert 2(cos 60° + i sin 60°) to Cartesian/rectangular form.
Solution:
a = r cos θ
a = 2 cos 60°
a=1
b = r sin θ
b = 2 sin 60°
b = √3 = 1.73
Answer: 𝟏 + 𝟏. 𝟕𝟑𝐢

Example:
𝛑
Convert 𝟒. 𝟓𝐞𝟑𝐢 to Cartesian/rectangular form.
Solution:
a = r cos θ
πr
a = 4.5 cos
3
a = 2.25
b = r sin θ
πr
b = 4.5 sin
3
b = 3.90
Answer: 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 + 𝟑. 𝟗𝟎𝐢

REFERENCES
Kreyszig, Erwin. (2011). Complex Numbers and Functions, Complex Differentiation. Advanced Engineering
Mathematics (10th edition, Part D, pp. 607-642). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Hayes, A. et. al. Complex Numbers. Brilliant.org. Retrieved: https://brilliant.org/wiki/complex-numbers/

Complex Numbers. Electronicshub.org. Retrieved: https://www.electronicshub.org/complex-numbers/

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 5
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Complex Numbers

“To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the
glass is twice as big as it needs to be.”
Anonymous

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 6