Calculating with Complex Numbers

The set of real numbers

In the following chapters of this book, complex quantities always play an important role. Although calculating with complex numbers is already treated and practiced in school mathematics, our experience has shown that even students of natural sciences and technical subjects have problems with it. Perhaps these difficulties are also related to the fact that "complex" is often used as a synonym for "complicated" in everyday life, while "real" stands for "reliable, honest and truthful".

Therefore, the calculation rules for complex numbers are briefly summarized here at the end of this first basic chapter.

First there are some remarks about real quantities of numbers, for which in the strict mathematical sense the term »number fields« would be more correct. These include:

$\text{Definitions:}$

»Natural Numbers« $\mathbb{N} = \{1, 2, 3, \text{...}\hspace{0.05cm} \}$. Using these numbers, for $n, \ k \in \mathbb{N}$ the arithmetic operations »addition« $(m = n +k)$, »multiplication« $(m = n \cdot k)$ and »potency formation« $(m = n^k)$ are possible. The respective result of a calculation is again a natural number: $m \in \mathbb{N}$.

»Integer Numbers« $\mathbb{Z} = \{\text{...}\hspace{0.05cm} , -3, -2, -1, \ 0, +1, +2, +3, \text{...}\hspace{0.05cm}\}$. This set of numbers is an extension of the natural numbers $\mathbb{N}$. The introduction of the set $\mathbb{Z}$ was necessary to capture the result set of a subtraction $(m = n -k$, for example $5 - 7 = - 2)$.

»Rational Numbers« $\mathbb{Q} = \{z/n\}$ with $z \in \mathbb{Z}$ and $n \in \mathbb{N}$. With this set of numbers, also known as fractions, there is a defined result for each division. If you write a rational number in decimal notation, only zeros appear after a certain decimal place $($Example: $-2/5 = -0.400\text{...}\hspace{0.05cm})$ or periodicities $($Example: $2/7 = 0.285714285\text{...}\hspace{0.05cm})$. Since $n = 1$ is allowed, the integers are a subset of the rational numbers: $\mathbb{Z} \subset \mathbb{Q}$.

»Irrational Numbers« $\mathbb{I} \neq {z/n}$ mit $z \in \mathbb{Z}$, $n \in \mathbb{N}$. Although there are infinite rational numbers, there are still infinite numbers which cannot be represented as a fraction. Examples are the number $\pi = 3.141592654\text{...}\hspace{0.05cm}$ $($where there are no periods even with more decimal places$)$ or the result of the equation $a^{2}=2 \,\,\Rightarrow \;\;a=\pm \sqrt{2}=\pm1.414213562\text{...}\hspace{0.05cm}$. This result is also irrational, which has already been proved by $\text{Euclid}$ in antiquity.

Real numbers on the number line

»Real Numbers« $\mathbb{R} = \mathbb{Q} \cup \mathbb{I}$ as the sum of all rational and irrational numbers.

These can be ordered according to their numerical values and can be drawn on the so-called "number line" as shown in the adjacent graph.

Imaginary and complex numbers

With the introduction of the irrational numbers the solution of the equation $a^2-2=0$ was possible, but not the solution of the equation $a^2+1=0$. The mathematician $\text{Leonhard Euler}$ solved this problem by extending the set of real numbers by the »imaginary numbers« . He defined the »imaginary unit« as follows:

$${\rm j}=\sqrt{-1} \ \Rightarrow \ {\rm j}^{2}=-1.$$

It should be noted that Euler called this quantity "$\rm i$" and this is still common in mathematics today. In Electrical Engineering, on the other hand, the designation "$\rm j$" has become generally accepted since "$\rm i$" is already occupied by the time-dependent current.

$\text{Definition:}$ The »complex number« $z$ is generally the sum of a real number $x$ and an imaginary number ${\rm j} \cdot y$:

$$z=x+{\rm j}\cdot y.$$

$x$ and $y$ are derived from the quantity $\mathbb{R}$ from the real numbers.

The set of all possible complex numbers is called the body $\mathbb{C}$ of the complex numbers.

The number line of real numbers now becomes the complex plane, which is spanned by two number lines twisted by $90^\circ$ for real part and imaginary part.

$\text{Example 1:}$

Numbers in the complex plane

The complex number $z_1 = 2 \cdot {\rm j}$ is one of two possible solutions of the equation $z^2+4=0$. The other solution is

$$z_2 = -2 \cdot {\rm j}.$$

In contrast $z_3 = 2 + {\rm j}$ and $z_4 = 2 -{\rm j}$ give the two solutions to the following equation:

$$(z-2- {\rm j})(z-2+ {\rm j}) = 0 \; \ \Rightarrow \;\ z^{2}-4 \cdot z+5=0.$$

$z_4 = z_3^\ast$ is also called the »complex conjugate« of $z_3$.

The sum $z_3 + z_4$ is real:

$$z_3 + z_4 = 2 \cdot {\rm Re}[z_3]=2 \cdot {\rm Re}[z_4].$$

The difference $z_3 - z_4$ is purely imaginary:

$$z_3 - z_4 = {\rm j} \cdot \big [2 \cdot {\rm Im}[z_3] \big ] ={\rm j} \cdot \big [-2 \cdot {\rm Im}[z_4] \big ].$$

Note: In the literature, complex quantities are often marked by underlining. This is not used in the $\rm LNTwww$ books.

Representation by magnitude and phase

A complex number $z$ can be described not only by the real part $x$ and the imaginary part $y$ but also by its magnitude $|z|$ and the phase $\phi$ .

Complex conjugate
of a number

The following conversions apply:

$$\left | z \right | = \sqrt{x^{2}+y^{2}}, \hspace{0.6cm}\phi = \arctan ({y}/{x}),$$

$$x = |z| \cdot \cos(\phi), \hspace{0.6cm} y = |z| \cdot \sin(\phi ).$$

Thus the complex quantity $z$ can also be displayed in the following form:

$$z = |z| \cdot \cos (\phi) + {\rm j} \cdot |z| \cdot \sin (\phi) = |z| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j} \hspace{0.05cm}\cdot \hspace{0.05cm} \phi}.$$

Here, the $\text{Euler's theorem}$ was used, which is proved below.
This states that the complex quantity $ {\rm e}^{{\rm j} \hspace{0.05cm}\cdot \hspace{0.05cm} \phi}$ exhibits the real part $\cos(\phi)$ and the imaginary part $\sin(\phi)$ .

Further one recognizes from the diagram that for the »complex conjugates« of $z = x + {\rm j}\cdot y$ applies:

$$z^{\star} = x - {\rm j} \cdot y = |z| \cdot {\rm e}^{-{\rm j}\hspace{0.05cm} \cdot \hspace{0.05cm}\phi}.$$

$\text{Proof of the Euler theorem:}$ This is based on the comparison of power series developments.

The series development of the exponential function is:

$${\rm e}^{x} = 1 + \frac{x}{1!}+ \frac{x^2}{2!}+ \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^4}{4!} +\text{ ...} \hspace{0.15cm}.$$

With an imaginary argument you can also write:

$${\rm e}^{ {\rm j}\hspace{0.03cm} \cdot \hspace{0.03cm}x} = 1 + {\rm j} \cdot \frac{x}{1!}+ {\rm j}^2 \cdot \frac{x^2}{2!}+ {\rm j}^3 \cdot \frac{x^3}{3!} + {\rm j}^4 \cdot \frac{x^4}{4!} + \text{ ...} \hspace{0.15cm}.$$

Considering ${\rm j}^{2}=-1, \ \ {\rm j}^{3} = -{\rm j},\ \ {\rm j}^{4} = 1, \ \ {\rm j}^{5} = {\rm j}, \text{ ...} \hspace{0.15cm}$ and combining the real and the imaginary terms, one obtains

$${\rm e}^{ {\rm j}\hspace{0.03cm} \cdot \hspace{0.03cm}x} = A(x) + {\rm j}\cdot B(x).$$

The following applies to both series:

$$A(x) = 1 - \frac{x^2}{2!} + \frac{x^4}{4!} - \frac{x^6}{6!}+ \text{ ...} \hspace{0.1cm}= \cos(x),\hspace{0.5cm} B(x) = \frac{x}{1!}- \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^5}{5!} - \frac{x^7}{7!}+ \text{ ...}= \sin(x).$$

From this the $\text{Euler Theorem}$ follows directly:

$${\rm e}^{ {\rm j}\hspace{0.03cm} \cdot \hspace{0.03cm}x} = \cos (x) + {\rm j} \cdot \sin (x) \hspace{2cm} \rm q.e.d.$$

Calculation laws for complex numbers

The arithmetic laws for two complex numbers

$$z_1 = x_1 + {\rm j} \cdot y_1 = |z_1| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j}\hspace {0.05cm}\cdot \hspace {0.05cm} \phi_1},$$

$$z_2 = x_2 + {\rm j} \cdot y_2 = |z_2| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j} \hspace {0.05cm}\cdot \hspace {0.05cm} \phi_2}$$

are defined in such a way, that for the special case of a vanishing imaginary part, the calculation rules for real numbers are given. This is called "principle of permanence". The following rules apply to the basic arithmetic operations:

The sum of two complex numbers $($resp. their difference$)$ is made by adding $($resp. subtracting$)$ their real and imaginary parts :

\[z_3 = z_1 + z_2 = (x_1+x_2) + {\rm j}\cdot (y_1 + y_2),\]

\[z_4 = z_1 - z_2 = (x_1-x_2) + {\rm j}\cdot (y_1 - y_2).\]

The product of two complex numbers can be formed in the real part and imaginary part description by multiplication considering ${\rm j}^{2}=-1$.
However, multiplication is simpler if $z_1$ and $z_2$ are written with magnitude and phase:

\[z_5 = z_1 \cdot z_2 = (x_1\cdot x_2 - y_1\cdot y_2) + {\rm j}\cdot (x_1\cdot y_2 + x_2\cdot y_1),\]

\[z_5 = |z_1| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j} \hspace {0.05cm}\cdot \hspace {0.05cm} \phi_1} \cdot |z_2| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j}\hspace {0.05cm}\cdot \hspace {0.05cm} \phi_2}= |z_5| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j} \hspace {0.05cm}\cdot \hspace {0.05cm} \phi_5} \hspace{0.3cm} \Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} |z_5| = |z_1| \cdot |z_2| , \hspace{0.3cm}\phi_5 = \phi_1 + \phi_2 .\]

The division is also more manageable in the exponential notation. The two magnitudes are divided and the phases are subtracted in the exponent:

\[z_6 = \frac{z_1}{z_2} = |z_6| \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j} \hspace {0.05cm}\cdot \hspace {0.05cm} \phi_6} \hspace{0.3cm} \Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} |z_6| = \frac{|z_1|}{|z_2|}, \hspace{0.3cm}\phi_6 = \phi_1 - \phi_2 .\]

Some operations with complex numbers

$\text{Example 2:}$ In the graphic are shown as points within the complex plane:

The complex number $z=0.75 + {\rm j} = 1.25 \cdot {\rm e}^{\hspace{0.03cm}{\rm j}\hspace{0.03cm} \cdot \hspace{0.05cm}53.1^{\circ} }$,

its complex conjugate $z^{\ast} = 0.75 - {\rm j} = 1.25 \cdot {\rm e}^{ - {\rm j} \hspace{0.03cm}\cdot \hspace{0.03cm}53.1^{\circ} }$,

the sum $s=z+z^{\ast}=1.5$ $($purely real$)$,

the difference $d=z-z^{\ast}=2 \cdot {\rm j}$ $($purely imaginary$)$,

the product $p=z \cdot z^{\ast} = 1.25^{2} \approx 1.5625$ $($purely real$)$,

the division $q= {z}/{z^{\ast} }={\rm e}^{\hspace{0.05cm} {\rm j} \hspace{0.03cm}\cdot \hspace{0.03cm}106.2^{\circ} }$ with magnitude $1$ and the double phase angle of $z$.

The following $($German language$)$ learning video summarizes the topic of this chapter in a compact way:
»Rechnen mit komplexen Zahlen« ⇒ "Arithmetic operations involving complex numbers".

Exercises for the chapter

Exercise 1.3: Calculating with Complex Numbers

Exercise 1.3Z: Calculating with Complex Numbers II