Introduction to the basics of Complex Number Calculation
This article gives a short introduction to the basics of Complex Number Calculation. More detailed descriptions can be found in the chapter of complex numbers
With quadratic equations, there is not always a real solution. For example, the equation
\(X^2 + 1=0\) oder eben \(X^2 = -1\)
In order to be able to count on solutions of such equations, the mathematician Leonard Euler introduced a new imaginary number and designated it with the letter \(i\).
A complex number \(z\) consists of a real part \(a\) and an imaginary part \(b\). The imaginary part is marked with the letter \(i\).
\(z=a+bi\)
The imaginary unit \(i\) has the property
\(z^2=-1\)
The value of a complex number corresponds to the length of the vector \(z\) in the Argand plane.
For the graphical interpretation of complex numbers the Argand plane is used. The Argand plane is a special form of a normal Cartesian coordinate system. The difference is in the name of the axles.
The real part of the complex number is displayed on the x-axis of the argand plane. The axis is called the real axis.
The imaginary part of the complex number is displayed on the y-axis of the argand plane. The axis is called the imaginary axis.
The following figure shows a graphical representation of a complex number \(3 + 4i\).
The absolute value \(z\) is \(5\).
The addition and subtraction of complex numbers corresponds to the addition and subtraction of the vectors. The real and imaginary components are added or subtracted
Addition:\(\normalsize z_{1}+z_2 = x_1+x_2+i(y_1+y_2)\)
Subtraktion:\(z_{1}-z_2 = x_1+x_2-i(y_1+y_2)\)
Excamples
\((1+2i)+(4+3i)=(1+4)+i·(2+3)=4+5i\)
\((1+2i)+8i=1+10i\)
\((1+2i)+(4+2i)=5+4i\)
\((1+2i) -(4+2i)=3\)
The following figure shows the graphical representation of the addition \((2+4i)+(5+2i)\).
The multiplication is done by multiplying the parentheses.
Example
The following picture shows a multiplication as graphic
.
To divide a complex number, you need the conjugate of a complex number.
The conjugate to is written
Property of the operation and
In the following example we search the sum of and , and the conjugate
Sum:
conjugated:
Complex numbers are divided by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator.
Example for calculating the quotient