Revision of complex numbers 423
Further problems on the polar form of complex numbers may be found in
Section 23.7, problems 17 to 31, page 426.
23.6 De Moivre’s
theorem—powers and
roots of complex numbers
De Moivre’s theorem, states:
[r
6
q]
n
D r
n
6
nq
This result is true for all positive, negative or fractional values of n.
De Moivre’s theorem is thus useful in determining powers and roots of
complex numbers. For example,
[2
6
15
°
]
6
=2
6
6
6 ð 15
°
D 64
66
90
°
= 0 Y j64
A square root of a complex number is determined as follows:
p
[r
6
] D [r
6
]
1/2
D r
1/2
6
1
2
However, it is important to realize that a real number has two square
roots, equal in size but opposite in sign. On an Argand diagram the roots
are 180
°
apart (see problem 8 following).
Problem 7. Determine 2 C j3
5
in polar and in cartesian form.
Z D2 C j3 is situated in the second quadrant of the Argand diagram.
Thus r D
[2
2
C 3
2
] D
p
13 and ˛ D arctan 3/2 D 56.31
°
Hence the argument D 180
°
56.31
°
D 123.69
°
Thus 2 C j3 in polar form is
p
13
6
123.69
°
2 C j3
5
D [
p
13
6
123.69
°
]
5
D
p
13
5
6
5 ð 123.69
°
from De Moivre’s theorem
D 13
5/2
6
618.45
°
D 13
5/2
6
258.45
°
(since 618.45
°
618.45
°
360
°
D 13
5/2
6
101.55
°
D 609.3
66
−101
°
33
In cartesian form, 609.3
6
101.55
°
D 609.3cos101.55
°
C j609.3 sin101.55
°
D
−122 − j597
Problem 8. Determine the two square roots of the complex
number 12 C j5 in cartesian and polar form, correct to three
significant figures. Show the roots on an Argand diagram.