Complex Numbers

Numbers of the form ±√(–k2), where k is real, are called imaginary

numbers. If the number ±√(- 1) is denoted by i, so that i2 = -1, then any
imaginary number can be expressed as a multiple of i.

i) √(- 4) = √ {(4) x (- 1)} = √(4) x √(- 1) = ± 2i

ii) √(- 3) = √ {(3) x (- 1)} = √(3) x √(- 1) = ± i√3

The set of all numbers of the form z = a + ib, where a and b are real, is
called the set of complex numbers and is denoted by C. The number a is
called the real part of z, denoted by Re(z) and b is the imaginary part of z,
denoted by Im (z).

Find the roots of the following equations:

a) x2 + 9 = 0 b) x2 + 2x + 2 = 0 c) 2x2 - 2x + 5 = 0
3
d) x + 3x = 0 e) x2 - x + 1 = 0 f) 4x2 - 4x + 5 = 0
g) 2x2 + 3x + 2 = 0
h) Solve for z in the equation z 2 + z + 1 = 0.
Answers
1 3 1 1
(a) ± 3i (b) -1 ± i (c) ± i (d) 0 and ± i 3 (e) (1±i 3 ) (f) ±i
2 2 2 2
1 3
(g) ¼ (-3 ± i 7 ) (h) − ± i
2 2

The roots of the equations above are of the form (p ± iq). (p – iq) is called
the conjugate of (p + iq). The general formula for the roots of a
quadratic equation with real coefficients shows that complex roots
always occur in conjugate pairs. Thus if (p + iq) is one root of a given
quadratic equation, then the other root of the quadratic equation is
(p – iq).

Express the following in the form a + ib.

a) (2 – 3i) + (-1 + 4i) g) (2 – i) (3 – 2i)

b) (2 – 3i) – (-1 + 4i) h) (3 – 4i) (3 + 4i)
c) (2 – 3i) (-1 + 4i) i) (2 – 5i)2
d) (2 – 3i) (2 + 3i) j) (1 – i)3
e) (3 + i)(2 + 3i) k) (1 + 2i) 4 + (1 - 2i) 4

f) (1 – 2i) (5 + i)

Answers
a) 1 + i b) 3 - 7i c) 10 + 11i d) 13 e) 3 + 11i f) 7 – 9i g) 4 – 7i
h) 25 i) – 21 – 20i j) -2 – 2i k) - 14

1
 Exercises

1
(1) Express in the form a + bi where a, b ∈ R.
1 + 3i
4+i
(2) Express in the form a + bi where a, b ∈ R.
3−i
1+i
(3) If z = , find the real and imaginary parts of
2−i
1
a) z2 b) z –
z
z
(4) Find the complex number z such that = 1+i
1+ z

(5) Find the complex number z and w such that z + w = 4 + 3i and

z – iw = 3 – 2i

Answers

1 3 11 7
1. − i 2. + i
10 10 10 10
8 6 1 3 1 21
3 a. Re(z2) = − ; Im(z2) = b. Re (z – ) = − ; Im (z – )=
25 25 z 10 z 10
4. – 1 + i 5. w = 3 + 2i ; z = 1 + i

Find the linear factors of the following

1. z 2 - 6z + 13 = 0.
2. z 2+ 4
3. z 2 + 36
4. (z – 3) 2 + 16
5. (3z + 2) 2 + 8
6. z 2 + 2z + 17

Answers

1. (z – 3 + 2i) (z – 3 – 2i)
2. (z – 2i) (z + 2i)
3. (z – 6i) (z + 6i)
4. (z – 3 + 4i) (z - 3 - 4i)
5. (3z + 2 – 2√ 2i) (3z + 2 + 2√ 2i)
6. (z + 1 + 4i) (z + 1 - 4i)

2
Properties of Conjugate Complex Numbers

Let z = x + yi. The conjugate of z is denoted by z* or z .

(i) z + z* = (x + yi) + (x – yi) = 2x = 2 Re(z)

Hence, the sum of a conjugate pair of complex numbers is a real
number.
(ii) z – z* = (x + yi) - (x – yi) = 2yi = 2 Im(z)
Hence, the difference of a conjugate pair of complex numbers is a
number of the form ki where k ∈ R. Such numbers are often called
purely imaginary numbers since they have no real part.
(iii) zz* = (x + yi)(x – yi) = x 2 + y 2
Hence, the product of a conjugate pair of complex numbers is a real
number.
(iv) (z*)* = ((x + yi)*)* = (x – yi)* = (x + yi) = z
Hence, the conjugate of the conjugate of a complex number z is the
number z itself.

Square Roots of Complex Numbers

Within the real number system, the roots 2 and -2 of the equation x 2 = 4
are called the square roots of 4. In general, the roots of the equation x 2
= a where a ∈ R, are the square roots of a. Similarly, within the complex
number system, the roots of the equation z 2 = a + bi where a, b ∈ R are
called the square roots of a + bi.

Method 1
5 − 12i = a + bi
Squaring both sides => 5 – 12i = a2 – b2 + 2abi
Comparing a2 – b2 = 5 and – 12 = 2ab
Solving : a = + 3 ; b = -2 or a = - 3 ; b = + 2

Method 2
By expressing the complex number in Trigonometric form and applying
De Moivre’s Theorem (will be done in the later stage)

Find the square roots of the following:

(1) 5 – 12i
(2) 2i
(3) 3 + 4i
(4) – 8 – 6i
(5) 35 + 12i

Answer
1. ±(3 – 2i) 2. ± (1 + i) 3. ± (2 + i)
4. ± (- 1 + 3i) 5. ± (6 + i)

3
The Argand Diagram

An Argand Diagram is a diagram showing complex numbers represented

by points or vectors. Real numbers are represented along the x–axis
(real axis) and the imaginary numbers along the y–axis (imaginary axis).
With each complex number z = x + iy we associate a point P with
coordinate (x,y) in the plane which is called the z-plane or the complex
plane.

(a) If z 1 = 2 + i and z 2 = −1 + i , show on an Argand diagram the points

* * * *
representing z 1 , z 2 , z 1 , z 2 , z 1 + z 2 , z 1 + z 2 .
(b) If z 1 = 3 + ½ i, z 2 = 1 + 2i. Locate Q = z 2 – z 1 on the Argand
diagram.
(c) If z = 2 + 3i, locate the points representing the complex numbers
z , iz, i 2 z , i 3 z and i 4 z on the complex plane.
(d) Show on an Argand diagram the points representing the complex
numbers 1 + i and
(1 + i ) 4
1 – i. Hence simplify
(1 − i ) 3
(e) Let P1, P2, P3 and P4 be the vertices of a square. If P2 = 1 + 5i, P4 = 5
+ 3i, find the complex numbers represented by P1 and P3.

Modulus–argument Form/Trigonometric Form/Polar Form of a

Complex Number.

Let the point P(x ,y) represent the complex number z = x + yi. Also let the
length of the line segment OP be r and the directed angle measured from
the positive x-axis, be θ as shown below

x + iy

θ
0

4
From the diagram we see that

x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ, r 2 = x2 +y2, tan θ = y/x.

r is called the modulus of z, denoted by |z|. |z|= √ (x2 +y2). The angle θ,
– π < θ ≤ π is called the argument of z (principal argument of z), positive
values of θ being measured anticlockwise from the real axis and negative
values clockwise. If a complex number z = x + iy has modulus r and
argument θ, then x = r cos θ and y = r sin θ. Therefore z = r (cosθ + i sin
θ). This is called the modulus–argument form/trigonometric form/polar
form of a complex number.

The general properties of complex numbers in modulus–argument

form

(i) If z = r (cos θ + i sin θ ), then z* = r (cos θ – i sin θ ), therefore

zz* = |z|2 ; |z*| = |z| and, for – π < arg z < π, arg z* = – arg z.

(ii) If z = r (cos θ + i sin θ ),

1 1 1
| | = , and, for – π < arg z < π, arg ( ) = – arg z.
z |z | z

(iii) If z 1 = r1 (cos θ1 + i sin θ1 ) and z 2 = r2 (cos θ 2 + i sin θ 2 ), then

z1 | z1 | r1
z z z z
| 1 2 | = | 1 | | 2 |= 1 2 r r ; | |= =
z2 | z2 | r2
arg ( z 1 z 2 )= arg z 1 + arg z 2 = θ1 + θ 2 .
z1
arg | | = arg z 1 – arg z 2 = θ1 – θ 2 .
z2

5
 Exercises

1. Convert the following complex numbers into trigonometric form:

1 1
(a) + i
2 2
1 3
(b) − + i
2 2
3 1
(c) − i
2 2
(d) –1

2. Express the complex number (7 – 3i) ÷ (5 + 2i) in the form x + yi where

x, y ∈ℜ. Find its modulus and argument.

3. Express the following complex numbers in trigonometric form:

(a) 1 + i
(b) – 2i
(c) – (√3) + i

4. If z1 = 6 + i and z2 = –1 + 3i, prove that |z1 + z2| < |z1 – z2|.

5. If z = cos θ + i sin θ (– π < θ ≤ π), prove that

(i) z* = 1/z
(ii) z + 1/z = 2 cos θ
(iii)z – 1/z = 2i sin θ

Hence, deduce that, if θ ≠ ½ π, then (z2 – 1) ÷ (z2 + 1) = i tan θ.

Answer

π π 2π 2π π π
1. a. (cos + i sin ) b. (cos + i sin ) c. (cos(- ) + i sin(- ))
4 4 3 3 6 6
d. (cos π + i sin π)

  π  π 
2. 1 − i = 2 cos −  + i sin − 
  4  4 

π π π π 5π 5π
3. a. 2 (cos + i sin ) b. 2(cos(- ) + i sin(- )) c. 2(cos( ) + i sin( ))
4 4 2 2 6 6

6
De Moivre’s Theorem

(x + iy) = r (cos θ + i sin θ); where

r = |x + iy| = x 2 + y 2 and θ = tan –1
(y/x)

(x + iy)n= r n (cos nθ + i sin nθ)

13− 5i
1. Find the modulus and argument of the complex number z=
4 − 9i
and hence write down the complex number z6
2. Express the complex numbers (1+ i) and (1 – i) in trigonometric form.
(1 + i) 5
Find the modulus and argument of .
(1 − i) 7
3. (a) Find the exact values of the modulus r and the argument θ,
where
–π < θ ≤ π, of (1 + i)22 .
(1 + i)11
(b) Evaluate , exactly.
(1 − i)11

Answer

π π π π π 1
1. ( 2 ; ; − 8i) 2. { 2 (cos + i sin ) ; 2 (cos ( − ) + i sin( − )) ; ; π}
4 4 4 4 4 2
π
3. 2048; − 4. - i
2

Euler’s Relation

rei θ = r(cosθ + i sin θ)

1. Find the modulus and the argument of z = iπ

1+e 3
2. Show that 1 + e i2θ = 2 e iθ cos θ .
2i
3. Find the modulus of the complex number , and show that the
3 − 4i
argument, in radians is 2.5.
Hence find, correct to one decimal place, the values of x and y such
x + iy 2i
that e =
3− 4i

Answer

7
 π
1. { 3 ; } 3. 0.4 ; x = – 0.9 ; y = 2.5
6

Loci in the Argand diagram

1. Circle
|z – a| = k is the equation of the circle with centre A and
radius k.
z−a
|z – a| = k|z – b| or | | = k is the equation of a circle.
z−b

Sketch the loci defined by the following equations:

a (i) |z| = 2
(ii) |z – 2 | = 3
(iii) |z – 3i| = 2
(iv) |z + 4| = 4
(v) | z – 1 + i| = 1
(vi) |z – 2 – 3i| = 4
(vii) |z + 1 + 2i| = 3
(viii) |z + 3 – 4i| = 5

b. (i) |z – 1 – i| < 3
(ii) 1 ≤ | z | ≤ 2
(iii) | z - i | ≤ 3
(iv) | z - 4 + 3i | < 4

c. (i) 2 | z + 1 |=| z − 2 |
(ii) | z + 4i |= 3 | z − 4 |
z
(iii) | |= 5
z−4

Answers

a. i) circle center (0, 0), radius 2

ii) circle center (2, 0) radius 3
iii) circle center (0, 3) radius 2
iv) circle center (– 4, 0) radius 4
v) circle center (1, –1) radius 1
vi) circle center (2, 3) radius 4
vii) circle center (–1, –2) radius 3
viii) circle center (–3, 4) radius 5

8
2. Half-line
arg (z – a) = α is the equation of a half–line with end–point A, inclined
at an angle α to the real axis.

Sketch the loci defined by the following equations:

π 1
a. (i) arg z = (ii) arg (z − i) = π
4 3
π 2
(iii) arg (z − 1 − 2i) = (iv) arg (z + 2) = − π
4 3
π
(v) arg (z + 1 − 3i) = − (vi) arg (z − 3 + 2i) = π
6
π π 3π
b. (i) 0 ≤ arg z ≤ (ii) ≤ arg z ≤
3 4 4
π π π 2π
(iii) − ≤ arg (z − 1) ≤ (iv) − ≤ arg (z + i) ≤
6 6 2 3

3. Perpendicular Bisector

|z – a| = |z – b| is the perpendicular bisector of the line joining the

points
(a, 0) and (b, 0).
|z – ia| = |z – ib| is the perpendicular bisector of the line joining the
points
(0, a) and (0, b).

Sketch the loci defined by the following equations:

a (i) | z −1| = | z + i | (ii) | z + 1 | = | z − 3 |

z −i
(iii) | z |= | z − 6i | (iv) | |= 1
z −1
z − 2 − 3i z+ i
(v) | |= 1 (vi) | |= 1
z+2+i z − 5 − 2i

b (i) | z |> | z + 2 | (ii) | z + i | ≤ | z − 3 i |

4. Circular Arc

z −a
arg ( ) = θ represents a circular arc with endpoints A and B.
z −b

 z − 3 π  z +2 π
a (i) arg = (ii) arg =−
 z −1  4  z −i  3

9
  z −1 π  z +1 π
(iii) arg = (iv) arg =
 z +1 4  z −1 3
 z −3  π  z  π
(v) arg = (vi) arg =
 z − 2i  4  z − 4+ 2i  2

b (i) arg (z − 1) = arg (z + 1) (ii) arg z = arg (z − 1 − i )

(iii) arg (z − 2) = π + arg z (iv) arg (z − 1) = π + arg (z − i)

Past Year Questions

1. (a) Given that ( 2 + 3i ) z = 4 – i, find the complex number z, giving

your answer in the form a + b i.
(b) Find the modulus and argument of the complex number 5 – 3i.

The complex number w is represented in an Argand diagram by

the point W. Describe geometrically the locus of W in each of the
following cases.
(i) | w | = | 5 – 3i |
(ii) arg ( w – 5 + 3i ) = arg ( 5 – 3i ) + ½

2. (a) Given that z1 = 2 + i and z

= –2 + 4i, find, in the form a + bi,
2
1 1 1
the complex number z which is such that z = z + z .
1 2

(b)Find the modulus and argument of z, giving your answer for arg z
in the interval
–π < arg z ≤ π, correct to three decimal places.

(c)Find, in a simplified form, the Cartesian equation of the locus of the

point P representing the complex number z where | z – 1 | = 2 | z
+ 1 |. Sketch the locus on an Argand diagram.

3. Two complex numbers p and q are given respectively by p = 3 – 2i and

q = 1 + 3i.
q
(a) Express the complex number in the form a + ib.
p
(b) Calculate the modulus of p and the modulus of q.
Calculate also the argument of pq, giving your answer in radians
correct to two significant figures.
(c) Show on separate Argand diagram that sets of points representing
the complex number z in each of the following cases:
(i) |q | ≤ | z | ≤ | p |
(ii) arg (z) = arg (pq)

4. (a) Write down the modulus and argument of the complex number 1 +
i. Hence, or otherwise, express (1 + i)5 in the form x + iy, where x

10
 and y are real numbers.
5  1 1 
| 1 + i |= 2 , arg(1 + i) = π ; (1 + i) = 4 2  − − i
4  2 2 
3 − 2i
(b) Find the modulus and argument of the complex number
1−i
(J84/1/3)

1
26 ; 0.197 rad
2
5. (a) The complex numbers a and b are such that a = 3 + 4i and b = 12
b
– 5i. Find the modulus and argument of (i) a, (ii)
a
(b) The complex number z is represented by the point P in an Argand
diagram. Show that if z satisfies the relation | z + 2 | = | z – 3i |
then P lies on a straight line. Show this line on the diagram.

6. The points A, B and Z represent, in the Argand diagram, the complex

numbers a, b and z respectively. If a and b are constants and z
varies, describe in geometrical terms the locus of Z if
(a) | z – a | = | z – b |,
(b) arg ( z – a ) = ¼ π.

If a = 2 + 3i, b = – 7i and z = x + iy, find, in simplified form, relations

between x and y which determine each locus.

7. (a) Express the complex numbers 1 + i and 1 – i in trigonometric form.

5
(1 + i )
Find the modulus and argument of 7 .
(1 − i )
(b) Sketch the locus of the point in the Argand diagram representing
the complex number z, where | z – 1 – i | = √ 2.

7 + 3i
8. (a) Find the modulus of the complex number , and show that its
5 − 2i
argument is ¼ π.
(b) describe with the aid of a sketch the locus of the point in the
Argand diagram representing the complex number z, where arg (
z
) = ¼ π.
5 − 2i
3 − 2i
9. (a) Given that w = , express w in the form x + iy, and find | w |
4−i
and arg w.
(b) Sketch in an Argand diagram the set of points representing all
complex numbers z satisfying both of the following inequalities: | z
– 2i | ≤ 2 and | z – 2i | ≤ | z |.

11
10.In an Argand diagram the points A, B and C represent the complex
numbers a, 6+ 8i and c respectively, and O is the origin. OABC is a
square described in an anticlockwise sense. Give a reason why c = ia
and a reason why a + c = 6 + 8i.
Find, by calculation, a and c.
On a single, clearly labeled sketch, show the points O, A, B, C and the
loci
(a) |z – 3 - 4i| = 5,
(b) |z| = |z – 6 - 8i|,
(c) arg(z – a) – arg z = ½ π

11.(a) (i)Find the exact values of the modulus r and argument θ, where
–π < θ ≤ π, of (1 + i)22.
11
(1 + i )
(ii) Evaluate 11 , exactly.
(1 − i )
3 πi
e 4
(iii) Evaluate, correct to three significant figures, 1 πi
.
e 3

(b) Sketch the following loci, in separate Argand diagrams

(i) |z – 1 – i|2 = 2
(ii) |z – 1| = |z – i|
(iii) z + z* = 2

12.Solve the simultaneous equations iz + 2w = 2, z – (1 +i)w = 4, giving z

and w in the form a + ib, where a and b are real.

Answers

5 14
1 a. − i b. |5 – 3i| = 34 arg(5 – 3i) = – 0.540 rad
13 13
b (i) circle center (0,0) radius √34
(ii) half-line center (5, -3i); θ = 1.03 rad.

1 2−i 1 − 2 − 4i 1 3 − 4i 6 8
2 a. = , = ; = ⇒z= + i
z1 5 z2 20 z 10 5 5
b. | z | = 2; arg(z) = 0.927 rad.

2 2  5  4
c. 3x + 3y + 10x + 3 = 0 ⇒ circle with center  − ,0  radius =
 3  3

12
3 a. 3 11
− + i
13 13
b. | p | = 13 | q | = 10 ; arg(p) = −0.5880, arg(q) = 1.249 ⇒ arg(pq) = 0.661
c i. Circle
ii. half-line
5  1 1 
4a. | 1 + i |= 2 , arg(1 + i) = π ; (1 + i) = 4 2  − − i
4  2 2 
1
b. 26 ; 0.197 rad
2
7. √2 (cos ¼ π + i sin ¼ π); √2 (cos (-¼ π) + i sin (-¼ π)); ½ ; π
8. √2
14 5 1
9. − i; 221 ; -0.343
17 17 17
10. a = 7 + i, b = 7i - 1
11. 2048, - ½π ; - i ; 0.259 + 0.966i
12. z = 6 – 4i, w = -1 – 3i

13