ABSTRACT
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
• define a complex number • solve quadratic equations with imaginary roots • use an Argand diagram to represent a complex number pictorially • add, subtract, multiply and divide Cartesian complex numbers • solve complex equations • convert a Cartesian complex number into polar form, and vice-versa • multiply and divide polar form complex numbers • apply complex numbers to practical applications
There are several applications of complex numbers in science and engineering, in particular in electrical alternating current theory and in mechanical vector analysis. There are two main forms of complex number – Cartesian form (named after Descartes∗) and polar form – and both are explained in this chapter.
