Complex Algebra 1P1F/1

1P1F Complex Algebra

Dr David Murray Some answer and hints at end

Michaelmas 1995 About 12 hours work

1. Elementary operations and functions.

Express the following in the form a + ib:

1 2 + 3i (2 + 3i)(2 − 3i) (2 + 3i)(1 − i)

(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 − 2i 3 + 2i 3 − 2i i(3 + 2i)

e3i eiθ
(e) (f) (g) (1 + i)iy (h) sinh(x + iy)
e(4+i) 1 + eiθ

2. Mod-Arg representation

(a) Derive the modulus A and argument θ of a complex number z = Aeiθ in terms of its
real and imaginary parts, x and y. Explain why you have to be careful evaluating
the argument from the ratio y/x. Derive also the real and imaginary parts in terms
of the modulus and argument.
(b) Plot the following complex numbers on an√Argand diagram,
√ and express√them
√ in
modulus and argument form: ¡ (a) z1 = 1+ 3i; (b) z2 = − 3+i; (c) z3 = 2− 2i;
(b) z4 = −4 − 3i.
(c) Evaluate z1 z2 z3 z4 using the Aeiθ representation. Would using the x + iy representa-
tion have been easier?
(d) Evaluate z1 + z2 + z3 + z4 using the x + iy representation. Would using the Aeiθ
representation have been easier?
(e) For practice, turn the answers of Q1(a-e) into mod-arg form.

3. Complex Conjugates

(a) During the lectures, you saw that if W = f (z), then W ∗ = f (z ∗ ), for any function
f . (In other words, to find the complex conjugate of any expression, simply replace
all the +i’s by −i’s and vice versa.) Verify this by evaluating
2 − 3i e−3i
(b∗) (e∗) (g∗) (1 − i)−iy .
3 − 2i e(4−i)
and making sure that the answers are the conjugates of Q1 (b), (e) and (g).
(b) Prove (i) −1 ≤ Re(z/z ∗ ) ≤ 1 if z 6= 0; and (ii) (z n )∗ = (z ∗ )n .
Complex Algebra 1P1F/2

4. Powers and roots.

Evaluate values of the complex number z satisfying the following. In each case sketch the
solutions on an Argand diagram.
√
(a) z − (1 + i)8 = 0 (b) z 4 + 1 − i 3 = 0

5. Loci in the complex plane.

The fixed points z1 and z2 are z1 = (−1 + i) and z2 = (1 − i). Sketch the loci of the
variable z in the complex plane when

z − z1   z − z1 
   
(a) |z − z1 | = 2 (b) Arg[z − z1 ] = π/4 (c) 
 = 1 (c) 
 =2.

z − z2 z − z2 

6. Complex descriptions of oscillations: Phasors

(a) Sketch on an Argand diagram the locus of the complex number z1 = Seiωt , where S
is real, as t increases from t = 0 to t = 2π/ω. Mark the points on the locus where
t = 0, π/2ω, π/ω, 3π/2ω and 2π/ω.
On the same diagram, show how the number z2 = 2Sei(ωt+φ) varies, again as t
increases from 0 to 2π/ω, when φ = π/6. Again mark the points corresponding the
the times given above.
On a second diagram, show snapshot values of z1 and z2 at time t = 0 for φ = +π/2,
+π/4, −π/4 and −π/2.
(b) How would you determine the phase difference between two phasors from a phasor
diagram? Why is the choice of absolute phase arbitrary? (Equivalently, given several
phasors, why can any be chosen as the reference phasor?)

7. More phasors

(a) By substituting in the equation, verify that each of (i) f = A cos ωt + B sin ωt ; (ii)
f = C cos(ωt + φ); and (iii) f = Deiωt is a solution to the equation

d2 f
= −ω 2 f ,
dt2
for any values of the constants A, B, C, D
(b) Suppose A, B, C are real, but D is complex. Now if a(iii) is a solution to the
equation, then it must be the case that both Real and Imaginary parts of f = Deiωt
are solutions in their own right. Because solutions a(i) and a(ii) are real it follows
that: h i
A cos ωt + B sin ωt = C cos(ωt + φ) = Re Deiωt
Hence find the relationships (i) between A, B, C and φ, and (ii) between D, C and
φ.
h i
(c) Express sin ωt + cos ωt in the form z = Re Eei(ωt+φ) where E is real and positive.
Complex Algebra 1P1F/3

8. Complex descriptions of Linear Response: Polar and Bode Plots

An a.c. generator produces an emf E = E0 eiwt , where E0 is real, and is connected in
series with a resistance R and inductance L, as shown in Figure 1. The current I in the
circuit can be found by solving the equation E = IR + LdI/dt.

(a) Show by substitution that the current can be written as I = I0 eiwt , and find an
expression for I0 . (NB, I0 is complex!) By writing I0 in mod-arg form as |I0 |eiφ find
the phase difference φ between the current and emf.
(b) Find the voltage V across the resistor and deduce that

V 1
G(ω) = =
E 1 + iωL/R

(c) Choosing R = 1Ω and L = 1Henry, plot the locus of G(ω) in the Argand diagram
as ω increases from 0 to ∞.
(d) Create a table containing values of log10 (|G(ω)|) and Arg[G(ω)] for for ω = 10−3 , 10−2 ,. . .,
103 . Now plot two graphs, one showing log10 (|G(ω)|) versus log10 ω and the other
showing Arg[G(ω)] versus log10 ω. What are the slopes of the first plot as ω → 0
and as ω → ∞?

L
E R V

Figure 1: Circuit for Question 8

9. Complex representation of waves.

(a) Write down the relationships between (i) the wavelength λ, frequency f and phase
velocity c; (ii) the wavelength and wavenumber k; and (iii) the frequency and angular
frequency ω. Also write down the complex representation of a wave W with (real)
amplitude A, wave number k and angular frequency ω travelling in the positive x
direction in a non-absorbing medium.
(b) The power carried by the wave is proportional to W W ∗ . Show that the power is
independent of position and time.
(c) Show how using a complex wavenumber k = k 0 − ik 00 in your expression for a wave
accounts for propagation in an absorbing medium. How does (i) the amplitude (ii)
the power diminish as a function of x? A radio-wave with frequency f = 1MHz (in
the Medium Wave band) has amplitude A at x = 0 in copper. At this frequency
in copper k 0 = k 00 = 1.5 × 104 m−1 . Find the effective wavelength in copper, and
compare it to the wavelength in free space. At what value of x has the amplitude
fallen to A/e?
Complex Algebra 1P1F/4

(d) The distance x you worked out is called the skin-depth, and it can be shown that
this surface layer of metal only is involved in signal propagation. The 1MHz signal
is to be carried in a coaxial cable. You measure the resistance of the cable’s central
core, of radius 0.5mm, using a D.C. ohm-meter and measure a value a RΩ. Estimate
the apparent resistance R0 when the 1MHz signal travels in the cable.

10. Standing waves

(a) Write down the equations of two waves with the same frequency and amplitude but
travelling in opposite directions, and show that they sum to form a standing wave.
(b) A length of elastic, pinned at both ends, is pulled to the shape shown in the Figure
2(a) and released from rest. Using the graphical method of summation of travelling
waves, derive snapshots of the resulting standing wave at T5 , 2 T5 , . . . , 4 T5 , where T is
the period of oscillation.
(c) When standing waves are established in the stopped pipe in Figure 2(b), the lip
corresponds with an antinode, and the stopper coincides with a node. Deduce the
shape of the standing harmonic wave with the lowest frequency consistent with these
constraints. Deduce the length of pipe required to sound at 256Hz (Middle C). What
other frequencies might you expect to be produced by the pipe?

Figure 2:
Complex Algebra 1P1F/5

11. Transverse and longitudinal waves.

A wire of cross-section 10−6 m2 is subjected to a tension of 10N. Young’s modulus for the
wire is 1011 Nm−2 and its density is 9 × 103 kgm−3 .

(a) Evaluate the phase velocity for (i) transverse and (ii) longitudinal waves in the wire.
(There is no need to start from first principles.)
(b) Both sorts of waves are induced at the same frequency frequency in the wire. As-
suming that the waves are completely absorbed at the end of the wire, show that the
overall phase difference ∆φ between the two waves at a position x can be written as
∆φ(x) = (kL − kT )x + (φT − φL ) .
(c) Deduce the frequencies for which the phase difference at a position 1 metre from
some position x is the same as that at position x. (Yes, there is more than one
frequency. Thinking about arguments and winding numbers might help ...)

Some answers and hints

1.
3 2
(a) +i
13 13
12 5
(b) +i
13 13

(c) 3 + i2

1
(d) − (1 + i11)
13

(e) e−4 cos 2 + ie−4 sin2 = (−0.0076 + i0.0167)

(f) 1/2 + itan(θ/2)

y y
 
−πy/4
(g) e cos( ln 2) + i sin( ln 2)
2 2

(h) sinh x cos y + i cosh x sin y

2.
(b) 2 exp iπ/3 2 exp i5π/6 2 exp i7π/4 2 exp i3.785.
Hence product in (c) is 40 exp i0.382 = (37.08 + i14.92)

(d) −(3.318 + i1.682)

√
(e) Remember to be careful about the quadrant. √1 exp i0.59, 1 exp iπ/4, 13 exp i0.59,
13
0.85 exp i4.62, 0.183 exp i2.
Complex Algebra 1P1F/6

3.
(b) and (c) These are products and powers, so why not use the mod-arg representation
...
4.

(a) z = 16

π nπ
(b) z = 21/4 eiθ where θ = + , n = 0, ..., 3
6 2
5.
(a,b,c) do-able using intuitive geometry — (a) circle, (b) finite line (think about the
argument!), (c) infinite line.
(d) write z = x + iy and obtain√recognizable relationships between y and x — a circle,
centre at (5/3, −5/3) radius= (4 2/3).
7.
√
(d) Re[ 2ei(ωt−π/4) ].
8. (a) I0 = E0 /(R + iωL), and phase diff is tan−1 [−ωL/R].
(c) From part (b) and given values you find G(ω) = 1/(1 + iω). Write down real and
imag parts x and y, then eliminate ω. You’ll find the locus is a hemi-circle, centred on
(1/2, 0) with radius 1/2.
(d) Your table should have entries like

ω log10 ω log10 [(1 + ω 2 )−1/2 ] tan−1 (−ω)

10−3 −3 ≈0 ≈0
10−2 −2 −2 × 10−5 −0.6◦
10−1 −1 −2 × 10−3 −5.7◦
etc

9.
(c) Amplitude A/e when x = 6.6 × 10−5 m.
(d) Remember that the resistance is R = ρl/C, where ρ is resistivity, l is length and C is
cross sectional area. You should find that R0 ≈ 3.8R.
10.
(a) 2A cos kx.eiωt .
(c) 0.32m; odd harmonics.
11.
(a) Transverse: 102 /3m.s−1 . Longitudinal: 104 /3m.s−1
(c) If you think about winding amounts of 2π onto the phase difference, you should find
f = n33.67Hz, for n = 0, 1, 2, ....