3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

Complex Numbers & Polar Coordinates

Cheat Sheet

1️⃣ Complex Numbers Basics

Definition:
A complex number is written as:

z = a + bi
where:
a = real part
b = imaginary part
i = imaginary unit, where i2 = −1

Operations with Complex Numbers

1. Addition & Subtraction:

(a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i

(a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i

2. Multiplication:
Use the distributive property (FOIL method):

(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci + bdi2

Since i2 = −1, simplify:

= (ac − bd) + (ad + bc)i

3. Division:
Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator:

a + bi c − di
×
c + di c − di
​ ​

Compute using i2 = −1.

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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

4. Conjugate of z
If z = a + bi, its conjugate is:

zˉ = a − bi
5. Modulus (Magnitude) of z

∣z∣ = a2 + b2 ​

2️⃣ Polar Form of Complex Numbers

Conversion Between Rectangular and Polar Form
A complex number can be written in polar form as:

z = r(cos θ + i sin θ)
where:
r = ∣z∣ = a2 + b2 (magnitude)
​

θ = tan−1 ( ba ) (argument)
​

Alternatively, using Euler’s formula:

z = reiθ

Converting Between Forms

Rectangular to Polar:
Find r = a2 + b2 ​

Find θ = tan−1 ( ba ) ​

Polar to Rectangular:
Use a = r cos θ, b = r sin θ

3️⃣ De Moivre’s Theorem

For a complex number in polar form:

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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
n n
z = r (cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ))
Used for computing powers and roots of complex numbers.
Finding Roots:
The nth roots of a complex number are:

θ + 2πk θ + 2πk
zk = r1/n (cos + i sin )
n n
​ ​ ​

for k = 0, 1, … , n − 1.

4️⃣ Problems & Solutions

Example 1: Convert to Polar Form
Problem: Convert 3 + 4i to polar form.
Solution:
r= 32 + 42 = ​ 9 + 16 = ​ 25 = 5
​

θ = tan−1 ( 43 ) ≈ 53.13∘
​

Answer:

5(cos 53.13∘ + i sin 53.13∘ )

or using Euler’s form:

∘
5ei53.13

Example 2: Convert to Rectangular Form

Problem: Convert 6(cos 30∘ + i sin 30∘ ) to rectangular form.
Solution:
3
a = 6 cos 30∘ = 6 × 2
​

​ =3 3 ​

1
b = 6 sin 30∘ = 6 × 2
​ =3

Answer:
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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

3 3 + 3i ​

Example 3: Multiply Complex Numbers

Problem: Find (1 + i)( 3 + i).
​

Solution:
Use FOIL:

1⋅ 3+1⋅i+i⋅
​ 3+i⋅i
​

= 3+i+​ 3i + i 2​

Since i2 = −1:

= 3+i+ ​ 3i − 1 ​

= ( 3 − 1) + ( 3 + 1)i
​ ​

Answer:

( 3 − 1) + ( 3 + 1)i
​ ​

Example 4: Using De Moivre’s Theorem

Problem: Compute (1 + i)4 .
Solution:
Convert to polar form:
r= 12 + 12 = ​ 2 ​

θ = tan−1 (1) = 45∘

Now apply De Moivre’s Theorem:

∘ ∘
( 2ei45 )4 = ( 2)4 ei(4×45 )
​ ​

∘
= 4ei180
∘
Since ei180 = −1:

= −4
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3/26/25, 6:15 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

Answer:

−4

∘
Example 5: Find the Cube Roots of 8ei60
Solution:
Using the formula for roots:
∘ ∘
zk = 81/3 ei(60 +120 k)/3 ,
​ k = 0, 1, 2

Since 81/3 = 2, the roots are:

∘
z0 = 2ei20
​

∘
z1 = 2ei140
​

∘
z2 = 2ei260
​

Answer:
The cube roots are:

2(cos 20∘ + i sin 20∘ ), 2(cos 140∘ + i sin 140∘ ), 2(cos 260∘ + i sin 260∘ )

5️⃣ Summary Table

Operation Formula

Addition (a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i

Subtraction (a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i

Multiplication (a + bi)(c + di) = (ac − bd) + (ad + bc)i

a+bi (a+bi)(c−di)
Division c+di
​ = c2 +d2
​

Modulus (

Polar Form z = r(cos θ + i sin θ)

Euler’s Form z = reiθ

De Moivre’s Theorem z n = rn (cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ))

 

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