Grade 10

A12.2: QUADRATIC
EQUTIONS WITH
COMPLEX SOLUTIONS
AND POLAR FORM

SECTION: ALGEBRA
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS WITH COMPLEX ROOTS

All quadratic equations have solutions.

Example 1

Solve for :
Solution

or
or

Remember that we use for the imaginary number, .

Example 2

Solve for :
Solution

Roots: or Note that the roots are conjugates.

Example 3

Solve for :

Solution

or

The solution for

Example 4

Solve for :

Solution

Roots: or

T
 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

for , your answer will be or .

Complex roots always appear as conjugate pairs in equations.

If is a root of a quadratic equation, then will also be a root.

This knowledge comes from THE FORMULA where the roots are equal to:

−𝑏± √ 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐
2
−𝑏 √ 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 2
− 𝑏 √𝑏 − 4 𝑎𝑐
2
𝑥= and therefore 𝑥= + or 𝑥= −
2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎
THE COMPLEX CONJUGATE

If is a solution of an equation, then its complex conjugate is also a solution.

The converse can therefore also be asked:

Example 5

Determine a quadratic equation which has a root is.

Solution
The conjugate of is

The two roots are therefore: or

The two factors are: and

Product of the factors:

The equation is:

Example 6

Determine a quadratic equation which has a root .

Solution
The conjugate of is .

The two roots are: and

The two factors are: and

Product of factors:

Equation:
EXERCISE 1

1. Solve for :

2. Determine a quadratic equation with a root:

2.2− 1+ 2𝑖 2.3 − 𝑖 +3
REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS ON THE ARGAND PLANE
When a complex number is written in the form () 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 can be represented in the Cartesian plane where is called the
abscissa and is called the ordinate. Similarly, we can represent complex numbers
also in a plane called the Argand plane or Complex plane. Similar to the -axis and -
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 is represented as follows:

Imaginary axis (Im)

y
5
4
3 Z represents the
Z complex number
2
1 x
Real axis (Re)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-3
-4
-5
Example 7

Represent the complex number in the Complex plane / Argand plane.

Solution
Im

5
4
3
2
1

Re
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-1
-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:  Remember:

Multiply with the conjugate of

the denominator.
Complex numbers can be ADDED GRAPHICALLY. We can do it by looking at
complex numbers as VECTORS.
Example 8

Add the complex numbers and graphically.

Solution
Step 1: Represent both complex numbers in the Argand plane and join the dots
with the origin
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.
FOR SUBTRACTION OF COMPLEX NUMBERS:
Add the additive inverse:
Eg:

EXERCISE 2

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

1.1
1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5
2. Add the following complex numbers using the graphical method.

2.1 and

2.2 and

3. Subtract:
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 represents the complex number () and represents the distance
from to the origin.
is the angle that forms with the positive Real axis.

Using trigonometry, we know that:

and and
 𝑥+ 𝑖𝑦=𝑟 cos 𝜃 +𝑖𝑟 sin 𝜃
¿ 𝑟 (cos 𝜃 + 𝑖sin 𝜃 )

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

 The number is now defined by and .

 is called the modulus of the complex number and is called the argument of
the complex number.

 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 is sometimes written as or as

CONVERTING COMPLEX NUMBERS FROM THE RECTANGULAR FORM
INTO POLAR FORM
Example 9

Express in polar form.

STEPS
 Decide in which quadrant the number lies. (Make a sketch.)
 Determine (Work in DEGREES)
 Determine r: (Pythagoras)
 Thus
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
 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
Example 10

Express 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 When calculating , may be
used rather than , because
we are calculating a length.
 Quadrant 2:
Example 11

Express in polar form.

Solution Im
4
 Quadrant 3:
3
2 
1
Re
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-1
r
-2
-3
( 4 ;  3)
-4
Example 12

Express in polar form.

Solution
 Quadrant 4:

OR


(looking at as a
negative angle)

or
CONVERTING COMPLEX NUMBERS FROM POLAR FORM TO THE
RECTANGULAR FORM

Example 13

Convert to the rectangular form of a complex number.

Solution
EXERCISE 3

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

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

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

2.1 2.2
2.3 2.4