Complex numbers are of the form x+iy, where x and y are real numbers. The complex number z=x+iy can be represented by a point in the Cartesian coordinate plane with abscissa x and ordinate y .Then the x axis is called real axis and the y axis is called the imaginary axis. Every complex number x+iy can be expressed in the form r(cos t +i sin t).This is called the polar form of the complex n

Some basic operations:

Addition

To add complex numbers in rectangular form, add the real components in order to get the real part of the result and add the imaginary components to get the imaginary part. (a+ib) + (x+iy)= (a+x) +i(b+y)


Subtraction

To subtract complex numbers in rectangular form, subtract the real components in order to get the real part of the result and subtract the imaginary components to get the imaginary part. (a+ib) - (x+iy)= (a-x) +i(b-y)


Multiplication

In rectangular form : (a+ib) * (x+iy)= (ax-by) +i(bx+ay)

For polar form : To multiply the numbers in the polar forms in the polar form multiply the magnitudes and add the angles.


Conjugate

The conjugate (or complex conjugate) of the complex number a + bi is a - bi Conjugates are important because of the fact that a complex number times its conjugate is real.

Alumni Liaison

Correspondence Chess Grandmaster and Purdue Alumni

Prof. Dan Fleetwood