Edited: 2:14pm, August 26, 2013

OURNAL OF I NQUIRY-BASED

L EARNING IN M ATHEMATICS

A First Course in Undergraduate Complex Analysis

Richard Spindler University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Chapter 1: Complex Numbers and their Algebraic Properties Throughout this course, you may assume all properties of the real numbers, including algebraic and analytical properties. Section 1.1 Basic Algebraic Properties Denition 1. Dene addition (+) of ordered pairs of real numbers (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) by (x1 + x2 , y1 + y2 ). Exercise 2. Choose any two pairs of real numbers and demonstrate the denition of addition. Before looking further, do this: Problem 3. If two pairs of real numbers (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) are on the unit circle, geometrically dene their product to be that point on the unit circle (x3 , y3 ) that is the sum of their angles, written as (x3 , y3 ) = (x1 , y1 ) (x2 , y2 ). Determine how x3 and y3 are related to x1 , y1 , x2 , and y2 . Denition 4. Dene multiplication of any ordered pairs of numbers (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) (not just those on the unit circle) by (x1 , y1 )(x2 , y2 ) = (x1 x2 y1 y2 , y1 x2 + x1 y2 ) Exercise 5. Compute the following: a. (2, 3) + (5, 1/2), b. (2, 3)(5, 1) c. (2, 4) + (1/3, 1), d. (1, 3)(5, 2) Theorem 6. x, y R (for all x and y in R) a. (1, 0)(0, y) = (0, y), b. (1, 0)(x, 0) = (x, 0) c. (0, 1)(x, 0) = (0, x), c. (0, 1)(0, y) = (y, 0) Notation 7. We often use z for the pair (x, y) where x and y are any real numbers. Thus, z := (x, y), where := means is dened by. Another way to to say this is z is represented by (x, y). Denition 8. Dene the complex numbers, denoted C, to be the set of ordered pairs of real numbers with addition and multiplication dened as above. If z := (x, y) where x and y are real numbers, dene Re(z) := x and Im(z) := y. (Re means real part and Im means imaginary part.) Denition 9. We call (1,0) the multiplicative identity and (0,0) the additive identity since the identities just return the complex number operating on them just as 1 and 0 do in the real numbers.
Richard Spindler www.jiblm.org

Assume the commutative, associative, and distributive properties of the real numbers to prove the next four theorems: Theorem 10 (Commutativity). If z1 and z2 are complex numbers, then z1 + z2 = z2 + z1 and z1 z2 = z2 z1 . Theorem 11 (Associativity of Addition). If z1 , z2 , and z3 are complex numbers, then (z1 + z2 ) + z3 = z1 + (z2 + z3 ). Theorem 12 (Distributivity). If z1 , z2 , and z3 are complex numbers, then z1 (z2 + z3 ) = z1 z2 + z1 z3 . Theorem 13 (Associativity of Multiplication). If z1 , z2 , and z3 are complex numbers, then (z1 z2 )z3 = z1 (z2 z3 ). Problem 14. Explain why the associative theorems allow us to write z1 + z2 + z3 and z1 z2 z3 unambiguously. Denition 15. Dene i := (0, 1). Notation 16. We will use the following convention: for any real number x, the complex number (x, 0) will also be written as x. Thus, when we are referring to complex numbers, 0 is really (0, 0) and 1 is really (1, 0). Theorem 17. If z := (x, y), then z = (x, 0) + (0, y) = x + iy. Another way to say this result is z may be represented by x + iy. Notation 18. Common practice is to use the letters z and w as complex numbers and x, y, u, and v as real numbers. Usually, the convention is to relate them by z := x + iy and w := u + iv, but there may be exceptions to this convention. We now want to show this denition of i is useful. Theorem 19. i2 = 1, where of course i2 := ii. Problem 20. Suppose z1 := x1 + iy1 and z2 := x2 + iy2 . First, formally add z1 and z2 . (Formally means add like terms, those with i and those without i). Next use the ordered pair denitions (1) to show that you arrive at the same answer. Problem 21. Suppose z1 := x1 + iy1 and z2 := x2 + iy2 . Formally multiply z1 and z2 . (Formally means apply the standard FOIL method for multiplying (a+b)(c+d), using i2 = 1). Now use the ordered pair denition (4) for multiplication to show that you arrive at the same answer. These last two problems show that the ordered pair notation and the notation using i are algebraically equivalent.
Richard Spindler www.jiblm.org

Exercise 22. 1. Compute the following: a. 3 4i + i(4 + i2 3) c. 3 4i i(6 i2) b. (3 + i)(1 5i) d. (3 i)(1 5i)

2. Locate the complex numbers 2 3i and (4, 3) in the plane. Theorem 23. For all complex numbers z, Re(iz) = Im(z) and Im(iz) = Re(z). Problem 24. Show 1. z1 z2 = 0 implies either z1 = 0 or z2 = 0. 2. z1 = 0 and z2 = 0 imply z1 z2 = 0. Denition 25. Let z C. The additive inverse of z is dened to be that complex number z such that z + (z) = 0. Theorem 26 (Additive Inverse Theorem). For any z C, 1. The additive inverse of z exists; and 2. The additive inverse is unique (meaning there is only one additive inverse to z). Problem 27. Is (iy) = (i)y = i(y)? Explain. Note that this last problem shows that iy is unambiguous. Denition 28. For any complex numbers z and w, subtraction by a nonzero complex number w from z is dened by z + (w), denoted by z w. Problem 29. Solve the equation z2 + z + 1 = 0 using ordered pair notation or x + iy notation. Show this gives the same answer as if you applied the quadratic formula to the equation. Denition 30. The multiplicative inverse of z C, z = 0, is dened to be that complex number z1 such that z(z1 ) = 1. Theorem 31 (Multiplicative Inverse Theorem). Let z := x + iy not equal to 0. Then 1. The multiplicative inverse of z exists and is given by z1 = x x2 + y2 , y x2 + y2 . (1)

Richard Spindler

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2. The multiplicative inverse of z is unique. Exercise 32. Determine the multiplicative inverse of z := 2 + 3i. Denition 33. Division of a complex number z by a nonzero complex number w is dened to be z z(w1 ), where w = 0, denoted . w Note that 1/w is dened by setting z = 1 in this last denition. Theorem 34. For all complex numbers w and z, w = 0, 1 z z= w w and for all non-zero complex numbers w and z, 1 z 1 1 = w zw

We can use the following denition to simplify working with inverses. Denition 35. Dene the complex conjugate of z := x + iy by x iy, denoted z. Exercise 36. Show 1. z 5i = z + 5i. 2. iz = iz. Theorem 37. z, z1 , z2 C, 1. z = z. 2. z1 + z2 = z1 + z2 . 3. z1 z2 = z1 z2 . 4. zz = (x2 + y2 ) + 0i. (You actually showed this earlier. Do you know where?) Remark 38. By notation 16 the last statement of the last theorem may be expressed as zz = x2 + y2 . Problem 39. Show that the expression (1.1) for the inverse of z can be found by calculating: z zz Be sure to justify each step with a denition or theorem. z1 =
Richard Spindler www.jiblm.org

Theorem 40. If z1 := x1 + iy1 and z2 := x2 + iy2 , then y1 x2 x1 y2 z1 x1 x2 + y1 y2 = +i 2 2 2 z2 x2 + y2 x2 + y2 2 where z2 = 0. Exercise 41. Express in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers: 1 + 2i 2 i + 3 4i 5i Problem 42. This is a writing assignment. How are complex numbers and ordered pairs of numbers in the plane similar and different? Remark 43. We have now developed a type of algebraic system, a eld, called the complex numbers, for the two-dimensional plane with four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) between pairs of points in the plane, as well as a unitary operation (complex conjugation) on a single point in the plane.

Richard Spindler

www.jiblm.org