MATH311: NUMERICAL

SOLUTIONS TO CE PROBLEMS
LECTURE 01: Complex Numbers

Prepared By:

Engr. Marlou P. Eyas, CE, RMP

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Complex Numbers

Lecture Outline
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I. Definition of Complex Numbers

II. The Complex (Argand) Plane
III. Different Forms of Complex Numbers
IV. Multiplication of Complex Numbers
V. Division of Complex Numbers
VI. De Moivre’s Theorem
VII. Roots of Complex Numbers
 Definition of Complex Numbers
A number such as 𝟑 + 𝟒𝒊 is called a complex number. It is the sum of two
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terms (each of which may be zero).

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The imaginary number i = −1 is an extension to the real number

system which allows us to solve equations such as

x 2 = −1

A complex number is any number of the form z = a + bi, where a and b

are real numbers.
 Definition of Complex Numbers
EXAMPLES:
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1.) i2 + i3
2𝑖 − 3
2. )
𝑖 + 1

Notes:
(1) In z = a + bi, a is the real part of z.
b is the imaginary part of z.
(2) If b = 0, z is a real number.
If a = 0, z is a purely imaginary number.
 Definition of Complex Numbers
z = a − bi is the complex conjugate of z = a + bi. The solutions to
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quadratic equations are complex conjugates.

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EXAMPLES:

 Solve x2 – 2x + 10 = 0
 The Complex (Argand) Plane
The complex number z = a + bi can be represented on a number plane
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(rather than a number line) with co-ordinates (a, b). The x−axis
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represents the real component of z and the y−axis represents the

imaginary component.

EXAMPLES:

1.) 3 + 2i
2.) 3 – 2i
3.) -2
4.) 4i
 The Complex (Argand) Plane
The distance of a complex number from the origin of the Argand Plane is
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called the modulus of the complex number z (or |z|). By Pythagoras’

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Theorem:
|z| = a2 + b 2

EXAMPLES:

1.) |3 + 2i|
2.) |3 – 2i|
3.) |– 2|
4.) |4i|
 Different Forms of Complex Numbers
1. Rectangular Form
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z = a + bi
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2. Trigonometric Form
z = r (cosθ + isinθ)

3. Polar Form
z = r∠θ

4. Exponential Form
z = reiθ
 Different Forms of Complex Numbers
EXAMPLES:
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Convert the following complex number to trigonometric, exponential

and polar form:

1.) z = 3 + 4i
2.) z = -4 + 4i
3.) z = 3i - 5
 Multiplication of Complex Numbers
Given:
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z1 = 2 3 + 2𝑖
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z2 = 3 2 + 3 2𝑖

Multiply z1 and z2.

 Technique:
Multiply the Moduli, Add the Arguments

z1z2 = [r1(cosθ1 + isinθ1][r2(cosθ2 + isinθ2)]

z1z2 = r1r2 [cos(θ1+θ2) + isin(θ1+θ2)]
 Multiplication of Complex Numbers
EXAMPLE:
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 If z = 4(cos40° + isin40°) and w = 6(cos120° + isin120°), find zw.

 Division of Complex Numbers
Given:
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z1 = 3 2 + 3 2𝑖
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z2 = 2 3 + 2𝑖

Divide z1/z2.

𝑧1 𝑟1
= [cos(θ1 − θ2) + isin(θ1 − θ2)]
𝑧2 𝑟2
 Division of Complex Numbers
EXAMPLE:
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 If z = 4(cos40° + isin40°) and w = 6(cos120° + isin120°), find z/w.

 De Moivre’s Theorem
An important theorem in complex numbers is named after the French
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mathematician, Abraham de Moivre (1667 – 1754). Although born in

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France, he came to England where he made the acquaintance of Newton

and Halley and became a private teacher in Mathematics. He never
obtained the university position he sought but he did produce a
considerable amount of research, including his work on complex
numbers.

z n = [r(cosθ + isinθ)]n
z n = r n [cos n ∗ θ + isin(n ∗ θ)]
 De Moivre’s Theorem
EXAMPLES:
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 Simplify the equation given using De Moivre’s Theorem

4
1.) 3 + 𝑖
2.) −4 + 2𝑖 4
 Prove that cos3θ = cos3θ − 3cosθsin2θ using De Moivre’s Theorem
 Simplify the following expression using De Moivre’s Theorem
cos2θ + isin2θ
cos3θ + isin3θ
 Roots of Complex Numbers
Using De Moivre’s Theorem with the power being a rational exponent
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(and therefore meaning a root), we can develop a method for finding

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complex roots. This leads to the following formula:

n
θ + 2πk θ + 2πk
zk = r[cos + isin ]
n n

where:
n is the exponent or the number of roots
k = 0, 1, 2, …, n – 1
 Roots of Complex Numbers
EXAMPLES:
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Find the roots of the equation

1.) z3 = 1
2.) z4 = 81(cos80° + isin80°)