COMPLEX NUMBERS

IMAGINARY NUMBERS

 We cannot solve the equation x2 + 1 = 0 as this leads us to x = which does not exist
 However, we use the imaginary number, i, such that i2 = -1. So i =
  
 A number in the form ai () is an imaginary number.
 Note that you have i on your calculator
COMPLEX NUMBERS

Complex numbers are numbers of the form z = a + bi

A complex number is made up of a real and an imaginary part
Eg. z = 4 + 5i
4 is the real part
5 is the imaginary part
We can write Re(z) =4, Im(z) 5
The way of writing complex numbers z = a + bi is known as the Cartesian Form.
ARGAND DIAGRAMS

 An Argand Diagram is a way of showing a complex number

on a coordinate plane.
The horizontal axis is the Real axis and the vertical axis the Imaginary
axis.
Eg. On this diagram, the point P represents z = 3 + 2i
MODULUS OF A COMPLEX NUMBER

 When we use the word modulus geometrically, we mean the distance between a point and the origin (also
encountered like this with the modulus of a vector)
 To find this, we are just applying Pythagoras’ Theorem
  
 Given z = x + iy,
 As the modulus represents a distance, it is always a positive real number
MODULUS OF A COMPLEX NUMBER

Examples
Find the modulus of the following complex numbers a) 3 + 4i b) c)
a) =5
b) = ==
c)  = = = =

EQUALITY OF COMPLEX NUMBERS

 Two complex numbers are equal if (and only if) their real parts are equal and their imaginary parts are equal.

Example: Find the values of a and b if z1 = a – 3i , z2 = 6 + 2bi and z1 = z2

If z1 = z2 then Re(z1) = Re(z2) so a = 6
If z1 = z2 then Im(z1) = Im(z2) so -3 = 2b and b = -1.5
ADDITION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS

 If z1 = a + bi and z2 = c + di

Then z1 + z2= (a + c) + (b + d)I

In other words, you add the real parts together and add the imaginary parts together
MULTIPLYING A COMPLEX NUMBER BY A CONSTANT

 If z1 = a + bi

The c z1 = ac + (bc)I

In other words, just multiply the real and the imaginary parts by the constant.
TIME TO PRACTISE

 Now do exercise 3F (p166)

MULTIPLYING COMPLEX NUMBERS
 When we multiply a pair of complex numbers, we multiply as normal, but remembering that (i)2 = -1

 If z1 = a + bi and z2 = c + di

The z1z2 = ac + adi + bci – bd

= (ac – bd) + (ad + bc)i (writing it in cartesian form)
Example z1 = 3 + 4i and z2 = -2 + 3i. Find z1z2
z1z2 = -6 + 9i – 8i – 12
-18 + i
COMPLEX CONJUGATES

 For a complex number z = a + bi

the conjugate is z* = a – bi
A complex number and its conjugate have equal Real parts and Imaginary parts with opposite signs.
z* is used as the symbol representing the conjugate
COMPLEX CONJUGATES

 When we multiply a complex number, by its conjugate the answer is always Real
 z = a + bi. z* = a – bi
z z* = a2 – abi + b2 + abi
   = a2 + b2

Remember that
So this means that z z* =
DIVISION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS

 To divide one complex number by another, we need to use complex conjugates

 Example z1 = 3 + 4i and z2 = -2 + 3i. Find

=   We have a problem because its hard to deal with an imaginary denominator. But if we multiply the denominator

by its conjugate it will become Real only. And, of course, we can keep the fraction equivalent by multiplying top and
bottom by this conjugate.
= = =
PRACTICE

 Now do Q1-3 in exercise 3G p171

EXAMPLE

 Find z that satisfies the equation . Note: is the set of Complex Numbers

3z – 9 - zi + 3i = 2z + 8i + zi – 4
z – zi = 5 + 5i
  
z (1 – i) = 5 + 5i
z=
z= =
PRACTICE

 Now do Question 4