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ADMATHS GRADE 10
SECTION: ALGEBRA
MODULE: COMPLEX NUMBERS

LESSON A12.2: QUADRATIC EQUATIONS WITH COMPLEX

SOLUTIONS AND POLAR FORM

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS WITH COMPLEX ROOTS

All quadratic equations have 𝟐 solutions.

Example 1

Solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℂ: 𝑥2 + 1 = 0
Solution

𝑥2 + 1 = 0
𝑥 2 = −1
𝑥 = ±√−1
𝑥 = √−1 or 𝑥 = −√−1
𝑥=𝑖 or 𝑥 = −𝑖

Remember that we use 𝑖 for the imaginary number, √−1.

Example 2

Solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℂ: 𝑥 2 + 4 = 0
Solution

𝑥2 + 4 = 0
𝑥 2 = −4
𝑥 = ±√−4
= ±√4 × −1
𝑥 = ±√4 × √−1
𝑥 = ±2 𝑖
Roots: 𝑥 = 2𝑖 and 𝑥 = −2𝑖 Note that the roots are conjugates.

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Example 3

Solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℂ: 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 10 = 0

Solution

−6 ± √36 − 4(10)
𝑥=
2
−6 ± √−4
=
2
−6 ± √4 × −1
=
2
−6 ± (√4 × √−1)
=
2
−6 ± 2𝑖
=
2 The solution for 𝑥 ∈ ℂ
= −3 ± 𝑖
𝑥 = −3 + 𝑖 or −3 − 𝑖

Example 4

Solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℂ: 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 = 0

Solution

−2 ± √22 − 4(5)
𝑥=
2
−2 ± √−16
=
2
−2 ± √16 × −1
=
2
−2 ± √16 × √−1
𝑥=
2
−2 ± 4𝑖
=
2
𝑥 = −1 ± 2 𝑖
Roots: 𝑥 = −1 + 2𝑖 or 𝑥 = −1 − 2𝑖 The solution for 𝑥 ∈ ℂ

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Note that the roots are conjugates.

These roots are examples of complex numbers, because

they contain a real part and an imaginary part.

NOTE!
If you have to solve the equation 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 = 0
for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, your answer will be 𝑥 ∈ { } or 𝑥 ∈ 𝜙.

Complex roots always appear as conjugate pairs in equations.

If −3 + 𝑖 is a root of a quadratic equation, then −3 − 𝑖 will also be a root.

This knowledge comes from THE FORMULA where the roots are equal to:
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= and therefore
2𝑎

−𝑏 √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏 √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= + or 𝑥 = −
2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎

THE COMPLEX CONJUGATE

If 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is a solution of an equation, then its complex conjugate

𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖 is also a solution.

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The converse can therefore also be asked:

Example 5

Determine a quadratic equation which has a root 𝑥 = 3𝑖.

Solution

The conjugate of 3𝑖 is ‒ 3𝑖

The two roots are therefore: 𝑥 = 3𝑖 or 𝑥 = −3𝑖

The two factors are: (𝑥 − 3𝑖) and (𝑥 − (−3𝑖))

Product of the factors: (𝑥 − 3𝑖)(𝑥 + 3𝑖)

The equation is: 𝑥 2 + 3𝑖𝑥 − 3𝑖𝑥 − 9𝑖 2 = 0

𝑥 2 − 9(−1) = 0
𝑥2 + 9 = 0

Example 6

Determine a quadratic equation which has a root 𝑥 = 2 − 5𝑖.

Solution

The conjugate of 2 − 5𝑖 is 2 + 5𝑖.

The two roots are: 𝑥 = 2 − 5𝑖 and 𝑥 = 2 + 5𝑖.

The two factors are: [𝑥 − (2 − 5𝑖)] and [𝑥 − (2 + 5𝑖)]

Product of factors: [𝑥 − (2 − 5𝑖)][𝑥 − (2 + 5𝑖)]

Equation: [𝑥 − (2 − 5𝑖)][𝑥 − (2 + 5𝑖)] = 0

[(𝑥 − 2) + 5𝑖][(𝑥 − 2) − 5𝑖] = 0
(𝑥 − 2)2 − 25𝑖 2 = 0
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 − 25(−1) = 0
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 29 = 0

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EXERCISE 1

1. Solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℂ:

1.1 4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5 = 0

1.2 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 = −10

1.3 16𝑥 2 = −25

1.4 6𝑥‒ 5 = 2𝑥 2

1.5 9𝑥 2 + 1 = 3𝑥

2. Determine a quadratic equation with a root:

2.1 5𝑖

2.2 − 1 + 2𝑖

2.3 − 𝑖+3

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REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS ON THE ARGAND

PLANE

When a complex number is written in the form (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖) we call this the
rectangular form of a complex number. The rectangular form is sometimes
called the standard form or the Cartesian form.

A coordinate pair (𝑥; 𝑦) can be represented in the Cartesian plane where 𝑥

is called the abscissa and 𝑦 is called the ordinate. Similarly, we can represent
complex numbers also in a plane called the Argand plane or Complex plane.
Similar to the 𝑥-axis and 𝑦-axis in two-dimensional geometry, there are two
axes in the Argand plane.

• The horizontal axis is the REAL axis.

• The vertical axis is the IMAGINARY axis.

The complex number 𝑍 = 5 + 2𝑖 is represented as follows:

Imaginary axis (Im) 𝑖

y
5
4
3 Z represents the
Z complex number
2
1 x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 4 5 Real axis (Re)
-2
-3
-4
-5

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Example 7

Represent the complex number −3 − 2𝑖 in the Complex plane / Argand

plane.
Solution
Im

5
4
3
2
1
Re
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF ADDITION OF COMPLEX

NUMBERS

We already know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers
algebraically, when given in the rectangular form.

EG: + (3 + 2𝑖) + (5 − 6𝑖) = 8 − 4 𝑖 Remember:

− (−2 + 3𝑖) − (9 − 2𝑖) = −11 + 5𝑖 𝑖 2 = −1
(3 + 2𝑖)(−2 + 3𝑖) = −6 + 9𝑖 − 4𝑖 + 6𝑖 2

= −6 + 9𝑖 − 4𝑖 + 6 (−1)
= −12 + 5𝑖
2 + 3𝑖

5 + 𝑖
2 + 3𝑖 5 − 𝑖 Multiply with the conjugate of
= ( ) the denominator.
5 + 𝑖 5 − 𝑖
10 − 2 𝑖 + 15 𝑖 − 3 𝑖 2
=
25 − 𝑖 2
10 + 13 𝑖 − 3 (−1) 13 + 13 𝑖 1 1
= = = + 𝑖
25 − (−1) 26 2 2

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Complex numbers can be ADDED GRAPHICALLY. We can do it by looking
at complex numbers as VECTORS.

Example 8

Add the complex numbers 2 + 3𝑖 and 5 − 𝑖 graphically.

Solution
Step 1: Represent both complex numbers in the Argand plane and join
the dots with the origin (0 ; 0).

Im
5
4
3
2
1 Re
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5

Step 2: Complete a parallelogram using the two sides that are thus
formed.

Im
4 (2 ; 3)
3
(7 ; 2)
2
1
Re
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-1
(5 ; −1)
-2

Step 3: Draw the diagonal of the parallelogram starting at the origin.

The end point of the diagonal represents the answer,
viz. (7 ; 2).

∴ (2 + 3𝑖) + (5 − 𝑖) = 7 + 2𝑖

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FOR SUBTRACTION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS:

Add the additive inverse:

Eg: (2 + 3𝑖) − (5 − 𝑖) = (2 + 3𝑖) + (−5 + 𝑖)

EXERCISE 2

1. Make a graphical representation of the following complex numbers.

1.1 5 + 4𝑖

1.2 −3 + 2𝑖

1.3 −4 − 𝑖

1.4 5 − 3𝑖

1.5 −2𝑖

2. Add the following complex numbers using the graphical method.

2.1 4 + 2𝑖 and −2 + 5𝑖

2.2 5 − 3𝑖 and 5𝑖

3. Subtract: (4 + 2𝑖) − (1 − 3𝑖)

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REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS IN POLAR FORM

Complex numbers can be represented using trigonometry.

Im
5
4 A (x ; y)
3
2 r y
1  Re
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -10 1 x 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5

Suppose that 𝐴 represents the complex number (𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑖) and 𝑟 represents the

distance from 𝐴 to the origin.
𝜃 is the angle that 𝑂𝐴 forms with the positive Real axis.

Using trigonometry, we know that:

𝑥 𝑦
= cos 𝜃 and = sin 𝜃.
𝑟 𝑟

Thus: 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 and 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃

𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 𝑟 sin 𝜃
= 𝑟 (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)

• This is called the polar form of a complex number.

• The number is now defined by 𝒓 and 𝜽.
• 𝑟 is called the modulus of the complex number and 𝜃 is called the
argument of the complex number.
• 𝜃 can be written in radians or degrees. Radians are used more often to
represent the angles. In this lesson we will work in degrees, because
radians are only explained in a later module.
• The complex number 𝑟(cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃) is sometimes written as 𝑟 𝑐𝑖𝑠 𝜃
or as 𝑟 ∠ 𝜃.

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CONVERTING COMPLEX NUMBERS FROM THE RECTANGULAR

FORM INTO POLAR FORM

Example 9

Express 2 + 3𝑖 in polar form

STEPS
• Decide in which quadrant the number lies. (Make a sketch.)
𝑦
• Determine 𝜃: tan 𝜃 = (Work in DEGREES)
𝑥

• Determine 𝑟: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 (Pythagoras)
• Thus (𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖) = 𝑟 (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖 sin 𝜃)

Solution

• Quadrant 1:
Im
5
4 A (2 ; 3)
3
2 r
1 Re
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -10 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5

3
• tan 𝜃 =
2
3
𝜃 = tan−1 ( )
2
= 56,3° (rounded to one decimal digit)

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• 𝑟 2 = 𝑂𝐴2 = 22 + 32
=4+9
= 13
𝑟 = √13

∴ 2 + 3𝑖 = √13 (cos 56,3° + 𝑖 sin 56,3° )

= √13 𝑐𝑖𝑠 56,3°
(= √13 ∠ 56,3° )

Example 10

Express −4 + 2𝑖 in polar form.

Solution

Im
5
4
( −4 ; 2) 3
2
r
1

Re
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5

• Quadrant 2: tan 𝜃 < 0

2
• tan 𝜃 = −
4
1
=−
2
1
𝜃 = 180° − tan−1 ( )
2
= 180° − 26,57° = 153,43°
• 𝑟 2 = 42 + 22 When calculating 𝑟, 4
= 16 + 4 may be used rather than
= 20 −4, because we are
𝑟 = √ 20 calculating a length.
=2√5

∴ −4 + 2𝑖 = 2 √5 (cos 153,43° + 𝑖 sin 153,43°)

= 2 √5 cis 153,43°

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Example 11

Express − 4 − 3𝑖 in polar form.

Solution

• Quadrant 3: Im
4
tan > 0
3
2 
1 Re
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
r -1
-2
-3
( −4 ; − 3)
-4

− 3
• tan 𝜃 =
− 4
3
=
4
3
𝜃 = 180° + tan−1 ( )
4
= 180° + 36,87° = 216,87°

• 𝑟 2 = 32 + 42
= 25
𝑟 =5

∴ −4 − 3𝑖 = 5 (cos 216,87° + 𝑖sin 216,87°)

= 5 𝑐𝑖𝑠 216,87°

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Example 12

Express 1 − √3𝑖 in polar form.

Solution

• Quadrant 4:
tan𝜃 < 0
OR
−√3 −√3
• tan 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 =
1 1
𝜃 = 360° − tan−1 √3 𝜃 = −60°
= 300°
(looking at 𝜃 as a
negative angle)
• 𝑟 2 = 12 + (√3)2
=4
𝑟=2

∴ 1 − √3𝑖 = 2 cis 300° or 1 − √3𝑖 = 2 cis(−60°)

CONVERTING COMPLEX NUMBERS FROM POLAR FORM TO THE

RECTANGULAR FORM

Example 13

Convert 2 cis 135° to the rectangular form of a complex number.

Solution
2 cis 135° = 2(cos 135° + 𝑖 sin135°)
Let: 2(cos 135° + 𝑖 sin 135°) = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦
∴ 𝑥 = 2 cos135° 𝑦 = 2 sin135°
= −√2 = √2
∴ 2 cis 135° = −√2 + √2𝑖

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EXERCISE 3

1. Express the following complex numbers in the polar form:

1.1 √3 − 𝑖
1.2 −8 + 6𝑖

1.3 √2𝑖
1.4 −3

1.5 −2𝑖 − √5

2. Convert the following complex numbers to the rectangular form:

2.1 7(cos120° + 𝑖sin120°) 2.2 5 cis 180°

2.3 3 cis(−45°) 2.4 cis 90°

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HOMEWORK

1. Solve for 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℂ:

1.1 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 13 = 0

1.2 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 = −34

1.3 17 + 𝑥 2 = 8𝑥

2. Represent the complex numbers graphically in the Argand / Complex

plane:

2.1 𝑍 = 2 − 𝑖

2.2 𝑍 = 5𝑖

2.3 𝑍 = − 3 − 7𝑖

3. Add the following complex numbers using the graphical method:

3.1 (2 + 5𝑖) + (3 − 𝑖)

3.2 (−4 + 2𝑖) + (3 − 3𝑖)

4. Convert the following complex numbers to the rectangular form:

4.1 8 (cos90° + 𝑖 sin90°)

4.2 5 ∠ 180°

4.3 2 cis 270,43°

5. Express the following complex numbers in polar form:

5.1 √2 − √2𝑖 5.2 √8𝑖

5.3 − √5 + 𝑖 5.4 − 3 − 4𝑖

©2023 AdMaths SA A12.2