Trigonometry : Polar Form of Complex Numbers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Trigonometry

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 :Complex Numbers/Polar Form

The polar coordinatesof a point are. Convert these polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Given the polar coordinates, the-coordinate is. We can find this coordinate by substituting:

Likewise, given the polar coordinates, the-coordinate is. We can find this coordinate by substituting:

Therefore the rectangular coordinates of the pointare.

Example Question #2 :Complex Numbers/Polar Form

Express the complex numberin rectangular form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert this number to rectangular form, first think about whatandare equal to. Because, we can use a 30-60-90oreference triangle in the 3rd quadrant to determine these values.


D5g1377

Now plug these in and continue solving:

Example Question #3 :Complex Numbers/Polar Form

For the complex number, find the modulusand the angle. Then, express this number in polar form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This problem has given us formulas, so we just need to plug inandand solve.

Example Question #1 :Polar Form Of Complex Numbers

Express the complex numberin rectangular form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert this number to rectangular form, first think about whatandare equal to. We can use a 30-60-90oreference triangle in the 1st quadrant to determine these values.

374137.image0

Next, plug these values in and simplify:

Example Question #2 :Polar Form Of Complex Numbers

For the complex number, find the modulusand the angle. Then, express this number in polar form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This problem has given us formulas, so we just need to plug inandand solve.

Example Question #3 :Polar Form Of Complex Numbers

Express the complex numberin polar form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to complete this problem, you must understand three formulas that allow you to convert from the rectangular form of a complex number to the polar form of a complex number. These formulas are,, and the polar form. Additionally, understand that based on the given info,and. Begin by finding the modulus:

Next, let's find the angle, also referred to as theamplitudeof the complex number.

Finally, plug each of these into the polar form of a complex number:

Example Question #4 :Polar Form Of Complex Numbers

Multiply the following complex numbers (in polar form), giving the result in both polar and rectangular form.

Possible Answers:

or

or

or

or

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

The modulus of the product of two complex numbers is the product of their moduli, and the amplitude of the product is the sum of their amplitudes.

Therefore, the new modulus will beand the new amplitude will be. Therefore

We must also express this in rectangular form, which we can do by substitutingand. We get:

Example Question #5 :Polar Form Of Complex Numbers

Find the following quotients, given thatand. Give results in both polar and rectangular forms.

(a)

(b)

Possible Answers:

(a)or

(b)or

(a)or

(b)or

(a)or

(b)or

(a)or

(b)or

Correct answer:

(a)or

(b)or

Explanation:

The modulus of the quotient of two complex numbers is the modulus of the dividend divided by the modulus of the divisor. The amplitude of the quotient is the amplitude of the dividend minus the amplitude of hte divisor.

(a) The modulus foris equal to. The amplitude foris equal to. (We have chosen to represent this as the coterminal anglerather thanas it is more conventional to represent angle measures as a positive angle betweenand.) Putting this together, we get. To represent this in rectangular form, substituteandto get.

(b) The modulus foris equal to. The amplitude foris equal to. Putting this together, we get. To represent this in rectangular form, substituteandto get.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors