Part 1: Introduction to Complex Numbers | Beginner’s Guide to Year 12 Ext 2 Maths

Imaginary numbers are essential for practical applications in Physics, engineering, and stats. In this article, we’re going to provide you with an introduction to complex numbers, explain what they are and how to work with them. You can then test your knowledge on our sample questions.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• NESA Syllabus Outcomes
• Assumed Knowledge
• Introducing Complex Numbers: Basic Operations and Square Roots of Complex Numbers
  • Addition and Subtraction of Complex Numbers
  • Multiplication and Division of Complex Numbers
  • Further definitions of Complex Numbers
  • Square Roots of Complex Numbers
  • Solving Quadratic Equations in the Complex Field
• Concept Check Questions
• Concept Check Solutions

Refine your Complex Number skills with this free worksheet!

Year 12 Extension 2 Mathematics: Introduction to Complex Numbers

The topic Complex Numbers builds upon the existing knowledge of the real number system and involves the investigation and understanding of the imaginary numbers.

This builds on prior knowledge and applications of algebra and geometry to the complex number system.

The study of Complex Numbers can be used to appreciate mathematics in the real world and is used in physics, engineering and statistics.

NESA Syllabus Outcomes

NESA requires students to be proficient in the following outcomes:

N1.1: Arithmetic of complex numbers

• Use the complex number system
  • Develop an understanding of the classification of numbers and their associated properties, symbols and representations
  • Define the number, \(i\), as a root of the equation \(x^2 = -1\)
  • Use the symbol \(i\) to solve quadratic equations that do not have real roots
• Represent and use complex numbers in Cartesian form
  • Use complex numbers in the form \(z=a+ib\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers and \(a\) is the real part \(Re(z)\) and \(b\) is the imaginary part \(Im(z)\) of the complex number
  • Identify the condition for \(z_1=a+ib\) and \(z_2=c+id\) to be equal
  • Define, find and use complex conjugates, and denote the complex conjugate of \(z\) as \(\bar z\)
  • Divide one complex number by another complex number and give the result in the form \(a+ib\)
  • Find the reciprocal and two square roots of complex numbers in the form \(z=a+ib\)

N2.1: Solving equations with complex numbers

• Determine the solutions of real quadratic equations
• Solve quadratic equations of the form \(ax^2+bx+c=0\), where \(a, b, c\) are complex numbers

Assumed Knowledge:

Students should feel confident utilising skills like algebra, trigonometry and geometry using the real number system.

Introducing Complex Numbers:

Consider \(x^2-9=0\). Solve for \(x\).

\begin{align*}
x^2&=9\\
x&=±3\\
\end{align*}

Now consider \(x^2+9=0\). Solve for \(x\).

\(x^2=-9\)

Notice that there is no ‘real’ solution in this case. There is now a need to introduce an imaginary number \(i\), where \(i=\sqrt{-1}\).

The solutions of \(x^2+9=0\) will be \(x=±3i\).

An imaginary number is defined to be \(ki\) where \(k\) is a real number.

Example 1:

Solve  \(x^2 + 40 =0\)

\begin{align*}
x^2 &=-40\\
x&=± \sqrt{-40}\\
x&=±\sqrt{40}i\\
x&=±2\sqrt{10}i\\
\end{align*}

Addition and Subtraction of Imaginary Numbers:

Addition and Subtraction can be performed in a similar way as real numbers, where \(i\) is treated like a pronumeral.

Example 1:

i)      \(5i + 10i = 15i\)

ii)     \(5i-10i =-5i\)

Multiplication and Division of Imaginary Numbers:

Recall \(i=\sqrt{-1}\). Therefore

\begin{align*}
i^2&=-1\\
i^3&=-1 \times i = -i\\
i^4 &= -i \times i = 1\\
\end{align*}

See a pattern?

When two imaginary numbers are multiplied or divided together, it will result in a real number.

\(ai\times bi =abi^2 = -ab\)
\(\frac{ai}{bi}=\frac{a}{b}\)

Where \(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers.

Example 1:

i)      \(4i\times 8i = 32i^2=-32\)

ii)     \( \frac {16i} {20i}= \frac {4}{5}\)

However, when a real number is divided by an imaginary denominator, the numerator and denominator are both multiplied by \(i\).

This is called realising the denominator. It follows a similar process to rationalising the denominator when there is a surd.

Example 2:

Order of operations still remain the same with imaginary numbers, i.e. multiplication and division before addition and subtraction.

Example 3:

Simplify the following.

i)       \(-6i+5i \times 8\)

ii)      \(\frac {-2 \  \times \  7 \ + \ 5i \ \times \ 31}{9i}\)

iii)     \(i^{2021}\)

Answers:

i)      \(-6i+40i=34i\)

ii)     \( \frac {-14-15}{9i} \times \frac {i}{i} = \frac {-29i}{-9} = \frac {29}{9} i \)

iii)    We know that the powers of \(i\) cycle in multiples of \(4\), i.e. \(i^4=1\).

Therefore \(i^{2020} = 1\) so, \(i^{2021} = i\)

Further Definitions of Complex Numbers:

In the previous examples, all questions were asked solely in the complex number system domain. This can be extended to include both real and imaginary numbers in the same space.

Such complex number is given in the form \(a+bi\) where \(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers.

Complex Conjugates:

The complex conjugate of \(z=a+bi\) is \(\bar z= a-bi\)

The addition of \(z\) where \(z=x+yi\) and its conjugate \(\bar z\) is \(2Re(z)\)

The subtraction of \(z\) and its conjugate \(\bar z\) is \(2iIm(z)\)

Example 1:

Simplify the following:

i)     \(\overline { (2-i)^4 }\)

ii)    \(\frac {5}{3 \ + \ i} (1+i)^2 – \overline {(3+ i)^2}\)

Answers:

i)     \(\overline {16-32i+24-8i+1}\\
=\overline{16 -32 i + 24 \ – \ 8i + 1}\\
=\overline{42 \ – \ 40i}\\
= 42 + 40i \)

ii)    \( \frac{5}{3 \ + \ i} \times \frac{3 \ – \ i}{3 \ + \ i} \times (1+2i) \ – \overline {(9+6i-1)}\\
= \frac{5(3 \ + \ 6i \ – \ i \ + \ 2)}{10} \ – (8-6i)\\
= \frac {5 \ + \ 5i}{2} – 8 + 6i\\
= \frac {-11 \ + \ 17i}{2} \)

Square Roots of Complex Numbers

Complex numbers can be expressed as equal to each other. For example, \(a+bi=c+di\) where \(a=c\) and \(b=d\), and \(a, b, c, d\) are real.

To solve these questions, you will need to equate the real and imaginary parts.

Example 1:

Solve for \(x\) and \(y\), where \(x\) and \(y\) are real numbers

i)     \(2x+3yi=5-3i\)

ii)    \((x+5yi)(3-2i)=6-2i\)

iii)   \( \frac {4+3i}{8-i} =5x+yi \)

Answers:

i)    \begin{align*}
2x=5 \ \text{and} \ 3yi&=-3i\\
x=\frac{5}{2} \ \text{and} \  y&=-1\\
\end{align*}

ii)   \begin{align*}
3x-2xi+15yi+10y &= 6-2i\\
(3x+10y)+i(15y-2x) &= 6-2i\\
\end{align*}

\(\text{Solve simultaneously}\\
x=\frac{22}{13} \ \text{and} \ y=\frac{6}{65}\)

iii)   \begin{align*}
\frac{4 \ + \ 3i}{8 \ – \ i} \times \frac{8 \ + \ i}{8 \ + \ i} &= 5x +yi\\
\frac{32 \ + \ 4i \ + \ 24i \ – \ 3}{65} &= 5x + yi\\
\frac{29 \ + \ 28i}{65} &= 5x + yi\\
\frac{29}{65} = 5x \ \text{and} \ \frac{28}{65} &= y\\
x= \frac{29}{325} \ \text{and} \ y&=\frac{28}{65}\\
\end{align*}

To find the square roots of a complex number \(a+ib\)

1. Let \(x+yi= \sqrt{a+bi}\)

2. Square both sides: \((x+yi)^2=a+bi\)

3. Expand both sides: \(x^2+2xyi-y^2=a+bi\)

4. Equate real and imaginary parts: \(x^2-y^2=a, 2xy=b\)

5. Solve these equations simultaneously for \(x\) and \(y\)

Example 2:

Find the square roots of \(3+4i\)

Example 3:

Find the square roots of \(8-6i\)

Solving Quadratic Equations in the Complex Field

A quadratic equation is in the general form \(ax^2+bx+c\). As such, there are two ways of factorising a quadratic equation.

You may choose whichever method you are more comfortable with in an exam.

1. Using the quadratic formula
2. Using the completing the square method

Example 1:

i)      Fully factorise \(x^2-6x+10\) using the Quadratic Formula

ii)     Fully factorise \(x^2-6x+10\) using the Completing the Square method

Sometimes, the equation may contain non-real coefficients.

Example 2:

Solve \(z^2+iz-1-i=0\)

Concept Check Questions

1.      Simplify: \(i^{1-4n}\)  where \(n\) is an integer

2.      Simplify: \(Re(\frac{5 \ + \ i}{3 \ + \ i} \ +(3-2i)^3)\)

3.      Solve: \(z^2-3z+1-3i=0\)

Concept Check Solutions

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