Polar Form of

Complex Numbers

Dr. Hina Dutt

hina.dutt@seecs.edu.pk
SEECS-NUST
 Advanced
Engineering
Mathematics (10th
• Chapter: 13
Edition) by Ervin • Sections: 13.1 , 13.2
Kreyszig

A First Course in
Complex Analysis
with Applications by
• Chapter: 1
Dennis G. Zill and • Sections: 1.2, 1.3
Patrick D. Shanahan.
Representations of Complex Numbers

Rectangular Form

Polar Form

Exponential Form
Complex Numbers and Ordered Pairs

A complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 is uniquely determined

by an ordered pair of real numbers (𝑥, 𝑦).The first and
second entries of the ordered pairs correspond with the
real and imaginary parts of the complex number.
Complex Numbers and Ordered Pairs

The ordered pair (2, −3) corresponds to the complex number

𝑧 = 2 − 3𝑖. Conversely, 𝑧 = 2 − 3𝑖 determines the ordered
pair (2, −3). The numbers 7, 𝑖, and −5𝑖 are equivalent to
(7, 0), (0, 1), (0, −5), respectively.
We can associate a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 with a point
(𝑥, 𝑦) in a coordinate plane.
Complex Plane
Because of the correspondence between a complex
number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 and one and only one point (𝑥, 𝑦)
in a coordinate plane, we shall use the terms complex
number and point interchangeably. The coordinate
plane illustrated in Figure is called the complex plane
or simply the 𝑧 −plane. The horizontal or 𝑥 −axis is
called the real axis because each point on that axis
represents a real number. The vertical or 𝑦 −axis is
called the imaginary axis because a point on that axis
represents a pure imaginary number
Modulus and Argument of a Complex Number
The modulus of a complex number 𝑧,
represented by 𝑧 , is the length of the vector
𝑜𝑧
𝑟 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑧

The argument of a complex number 𝑧,

represented by arg(𝑧), is the angle the vector
𝑜𝑧 makes with the positive real axis.
An argument 𝜃 of a complex number must
𝑏
satisfy the equation tan 𝜃 = .
𝑎
Argument of a complex Number is not unique

An argument of a complex A calculator will give only

number 𝑧 is not unique angles satisfying −𝜋/2 <
An argument 𝜃 of a tan − 1(𝑦/𝑥) < 𝜋/2, we
because sin 𝜃 and cos 𝜃
complex number are 2𝜋 −periodic. have to choose 𝜃
must satisfy the Therefore, if 𝜃0 is an consistent with the
𝑎 quadrant in which 𝑧 is
equations: cos 𝜃 = argument of 𝑧, then
𝑟 necessarily the angles: located; this may require
𝑏
and sin 𝜃 = adding or subtracting 𝜋 to
𝑟 𝜃0 ± 2𝜋, 𝜃0 ± 4𝜋, … . . are tan − 1(𝑦/𝑥) when
also arguments of 𝑧. appropriate.
How to Calculate Argument
For any given complex number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏, we ignore all of its signs and find the angle
𝑏
𝛼 = arctan , such that 𝑎 ≥ 0, 𝑏 ≥ 0.
𝑎
Then we determine actual angle by first identifying the quadrant in which 𝑧
resides and find 𝜃 ∈ (0, 2𝜋] by using the following diagram:
Example 1; Modulus and argument
Calculate the modulus and argument of the following complex
numbers.
a. 1 − 𝑖
b. 4𝑖
Principal Argument
The argument 𝜃 of a complex number that lies in the interval
− 𝜋 < 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋 is called the principal value of arg(𝑧) or the
principal argument of 𝑧.
The principal argument of 𝑧 is unique and is represented by
the symbol Arg(𝑧), that is,
−𝜋 < 𝐴𝑟𝑔(𝑧) ≤ 𝜋.
Relation between Argument and Principal
Argument

Principal argument = 𝐴𝑟𝑔 𝑧 = 𝜃 ∈ (−𝜋, 𝜋]

Argument = arg𝑧 = 𝐴𝑟𝑔 𝑧 + 2𝑛𝜋, 𝑛 ∈ ℤ.
How to Calculate Principal Argument

Complex numbers either on the Complex numbers in the lower

real axis or in the upper half of
the complex plane have a
positive argument measured
anti-clockwise from the real axis.
half of the complex plane have
a negative argument measured
clockwise from the real axis.
How to Calculate Principal Argument
Example 2; Calculating Principal Argument
Example 3; Calculating Principal Argument

Calculate the principal argument of the following

complex numbers
a. 𝑧 = 4𝑖
b. 𝑧 = 2 + 2𝑖
c. 𝑧 = −2 + 3𝑖
d. 𝑧 = 2 − 𝑖
e. 𝑧 = −1 − 3𝑖
 Polar Coordinates of a Point
Recall from calculus that a point 𝑃 in the plane
whose rectangular coordinates are (𝑥, 𝑦) can also
be described in terms of polar coordinates. The
polar coordinate system, invented by Isaac Newton,
consists of point 𝑂 called the pole and the
horizontal half-line emanating from the pole called
the polar axis. If 𝑟 is a directed distance from the
pole to 𝑃 and 𝜃 is an angle of inclination (in radians)
measured from the polar axis to the line 𝑂𝑃, then
the point can be described by the ordered pair
(𝑟, 𝜃), called the polar coordinates of 𝑃.
 Polar Form of Complex Numbers
Suppose that a polar coordinate system is superimposed
on the complex plane with the polar axis coinciding
with the positive 𝑥−axis and the pole 𝑂 at the origin.
Then 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑟 and 𝜃 are related by the equations:
𝑎 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑏 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃
These equations enable us to express a nonzero complex
number 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏 as:
𝑧 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖𝑟 sin 𝜃 = 𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑠𝜃 (1)
We say 𝑟 is the polar form or polar representation of
the complex number 𝑧.
Example 4; Polar Form

Express 𝑧 = 1 − 3𝑖 in polar form.

Example 4; Polar Form
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

For the present case we have:

− 3 −𝜋
𝑟= 𝑧 = (1)2 + (− 3)2 = 2, 𝛼 = tan−1 = .
1 3
Since the point (1, − −𝜋3) lies in the fourth quadrant, so for 𝜃 ∈ (−𝜋, 𝜋],
we take 𝜃 = Arg 𝑧 = . Thus, the polar form of the complex number
3
𝑧 = 1 − 3𝑖, is:

−𝜋 −𝜋 −𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin = 2 cis .
3 3 3
Example 4; Polar Form
As it is clear from figure that for 𝜃 ∈ (0,2𝜋], we take
𝜋 5𝜋
𝜃 = arg 𝑧 = 2𝜋 − = .
3 3
Thus, an alternative polar form of the complex number 𝑧 = 1 − 3𝑖, is:

5𝜋 5𝜋
𝑧 = 2 cos + 𝑖 sin ,
3 3
5𝜋
= 2 cis .
3
Example 5; Polar Form
Represent the following complex numbers in polar
form.
a. −4
b. −2 3 − 2𝑖
1
c. 1−𝑖 2
Conversion between the forms

Polar to Rectangular • 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃

• 𝑟 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
Rectangular to Polar • tan 𝜃 = 𝑦
𝑥
Example 6; Conversion between the forms
Practice Questions

A First Course in
Complex Analysis • Chapter: 1
with Applications • Exercise: 1.3 Questions: 1-18
by Dennis G. Zill
and Patrick D.
Shanahan.