Modulus-Argument Form of Complex Numbers

Objective: by the end of this lesson you should be able to describe where a complex number is in modulus-argument form

What is it?
You have described a point in the x,y plane before. There is a different way to describe them though. This is modulusargument form. This is how far away from a point and in what direction. Modulus = how far away Argument = angle

Modulus-argument form
Work out the modulus + argument. Put it in the following formula:

z = r (cos + j sin )

Modulus is straightforward. Argument is a bit more work, we need to use radians and some angles are greater than 90. R must be positive, cos + sin must also be positive, must be the same.

Finding the argument

For the complex number z=x+yj the argument is Tan-1(y/x) When you do this on your calculator it will give you the answer between -90 and 90. This is good if the angle is in the 1st or 4th quadrant.

2nd and 3rd quadrant

If the angle is in the 2nd quadrant then add . If the angle is in the 3rd quadrant then minus . You must also use exact answers in terms of if they come up.

Write the following complex numbers in modulus-argument form. 6+8j

-5+12j

-3-27

Some useful relationships

cos(-) = -cos cos(-) = -cos cos(-) = cos sin(-) = sin sin(-) = -sin sin (-) = -sin
Eh? Use graphs of cosine and sine to help show these relationships!!

Write down the values of the modulus and argument of the following

4 cos + j sin 7 7
3 cos j sin 4 4
sin (-) = -sin cos(-) = cos

Work
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