CHAPTER-13

Complex Numbers and Complex Functions

13.1: Complex Numbers and Complex plane

Gauss first introduced the term ‘Complex Number’. Cardano an Italian mathematician first
used complex numbers in solving cubic equation. Kuhn of Denzing was the first mathematician who
proposed geometric representation of imaginary number i. Complex numbers find applications in
electric circuits, mechanical vibrating systems etc.
There are no real solution to the equation such as x 2  2  0 or x 2  3 x  4  0. This led to the
introduction of complex numbers.
Definition:
A number of the form z  x  iy, where x and y are real numbers is known as complex number.
Here, x is the real part and y is the imaginary part of z and denoted as Re( z )  x and Im( z )  y.
The imaginary unit is i  (1) and the co-ordinate of i is (0,1).
Note:
1. When y  0, real numbers form a subset of complex numbers.
2. When x  0, the complex number is known as purely imaginary complex number.
Complex Plane:
The complex numbers z  x  iy can be represented as an ordered pair ( x, y ). The complex number
z  x  iy as the point P( x, y ) in a plane is known as Complex plane or Argand diagram. Where x -
axis is called real axis and y -axis is called imaginary axis.
Equality of two complex numbers:
Two complex numbers z1  x1  iy1 and z2  x2  iy2 are equal if Re( z1 )  x1  Re( z2 )  x2 and
Im( z1)  y1  Im( z2 )  y2 .  z1  z2 .
Note:
1. Inequalities between two complex numbers z1  x1  iy1 and z2  x2  iy2 such as z1  z2 or
z1  z2 has no meaning because the field of complex numbers cannot be ordered.
2. A complex number z  x  iy is zero if Re( z )  x  0 and Im( z )  y  0.
Complex Algebra:
Let two complex numbers be z1  x1  iy1 and z2  x2  iy2 .
Addition: Sum of two complex numbers z1  x1  iy1 and z2  x2  iy2 is also a complex number.
z1  z2  ( x1  iy1)  ( x2  iy2 )  ( x1  x2 )  i( y1  y2 )
Difference: z1  z2  ( x1  iy1)  ( x2  iy2 )  ( x1  x2 )  i ( y1  y2 )
Multiplication: ( z1 )( z2 )  ( x1  iy1)( x2  iy2 )  ( x1x2  y1 y2 )  i ( x1 y2  x2 y1)
z x  iy1 ( x1  iy1)( x2  iy2 ) x1x2  y1 y2 x2 y1  x1 y2
Division: 1  1    i
z2 x2  iy2 ( x2  iy2 )( x2  iy2 ) x22  y22 x22  y22
Complex Conjugate numbers:
The complex conjugate number of z  x  iy is z  x  iy .
Note:
1 1
1. Re( z )  x  ( z  z ), Im( z )  y  ( z  z )
2 2i
2. If z is real, i.e. z  x then z  z
3. ( z1  z2 )  z1  z2
4. ( z1  z2 )  z1  z2
5. ( z1z2 )  ( z1)( z2 )
  z1  z1
6.   
 z2  z2
Laws of Addition and Multiplication:
1. Commutative law: z1  z2  z2  z1 and z1z2  z2 z1
2. Associativity: ( z1  z2 )  z3  z1  ( z2  z3 ) and ( z1z2 ) z3  z1 ( z2 z3 )
3. Distributive Property: z1 ( z2  z3 )  z1z2  z1z3
4. Additive Identity Property: z  0  0  z  z
5. Additive Inverse Property: z  ( z )  ( z )  z  0
6. z 1  z

Course Faculty
Dr. Madhusmita Sahoo

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