COMPLEX NUMBERS

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers

1. Introduction

Before diving into the mechanics of Complex Numbers, it is crucial to understand the fundamental reason behind
their existence. In the domain of standard arithmetic, you are already familiar with the set of Real Numbers, which
includes values such as:

• Positive integers and numbers: 5, 2.5

• Negative integers: -3

• Perfect square roots: √9 = 3

However, an algebraic problem arises when we encounter an expression like:

√(−1)

There is absolutely no real number whose square equals −1. Consider the following outcomes when attempting to
square any real number:

(3)2 = 9
(−3)2 = 9

Regardless of whether a real number is inherently positive or negative, its square is always positive. Because
standard numbers fail to provide a solution for the square root of a negative quantity, mathematicians introduced an
expanded numerical framework anchored by the Imaginary Number.

2. The Imaginary Number (i)

The core building block of this framework is the imaginary unit, denoted by the symbol i. It is defined by the
primary relation:

i = √(−1) or i2 = −1

This expression is the single most vital identity in the study of complex algebra. Whenever an expression requires
squaring i, the output simplifies immediately to the real value −1.

Powers of i

When computing higher powers of i, the values cycle continuously through a specific sequence of four distinct
results:

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers 1

 Power Derivation Simplified Value

i1 Standard base value i

i2 Fundamental definition −1

i3 i2 × i = (−1) × i −i

i4 i2 × i2 = (−1) × (−1) 1

i5 i4 × i = 1 × i i

i6 i4 × i2 = 1 × (−1) −1

Shortcut Rule: Because the sequence repeats exactly every 4 powers, you can evaluate any arbitrarily high power
of i by dividing the exponent by 4 and evaluating the remainder. For instance, in = ir, where r is the remainder of n
÷ 4.

3. What is a Complex Number?

A number that fuses a real component and an imaginary component together into a single expression is defined as a
Complex Number.

The standard algebraic form is written as:

z = a + bi

Where:

• z represents the Complex Number.

• a is the Real Part.

• b is the Imaginary Part (note that b itself is a real coefficient).

• i is the Imaginary Unit.

4. Deconstructing the Components

The Real Part

The Real Part consists purely of the standalone term that is completely independent of i. In standard mathematical
notation, this is expressed as:

Re(z) = a

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers 2

The Imaginary Part

The Imaginary Part is specifically the coefficient scaling the imaginary unit i. Crucially, it does not include the unit
i itself. In notation, it is written as:

Im(z) = b

Critical Academic Warning &span;(❌)

Given z = 7 + 5i, the imaginary part is written simply as 5. Writing Im(z) = 5i is technically incorrect and
stands as one of the most frequent point deductions on university examinations.

5. Guided Structural Examples

Example 1: Basic Structure

Let z = 3 + 2i

• Real Part: Re(z) = 3

• Imaginary Part: Im(z) = 2

Example 2: Negative Elements

Let z = −5 + 7i

• Real Part: Re(z) = −5

• Imaginary Part: Im(z) = 7

Example 3: Implied Coefficients

Let z = 4 − i

Recall that −i implies a coefficient of −1i. Therefore:

• Real Part: Re(z) = 4
• Imaginary Part: Im(z) = −1

Example 4: Real Number Embedding

Let z = −8

This real value can be explicitly expressed in complex form as −8 + 0i:

• Real Part: Re(z) = −8
• Imaginary Part: Im(z) = 0

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers 3

 Example 5: Purely Imaginary Structure
Let z = 6i

This value is re-written in standard form as 0 + 6i:

• Real Part: Re(z) = 0
• Imaginary Part: Im(z) = 6

6. Special Typologies

Every complex number falls along a spectrum based on whether its component parts are zero:

• Pure Real Number: A complex number where the imaginary part equals zero (b = 0). Examples include 8, −3,
and 10 (conceptually structured as 8 + 0i). Consequently, every real number is a complex number.

• Pure Imaginary Number: A complex number where the real part equals zero (a = 0). Examples include 5i,
−2i, and i (conceptually structured as 0 + 5i).

7. Pitfalls and Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Inclusion of the Unit Component

For z = 3 + 4i, writing Im(z) = 4i is incorrect. The correct formulation is Im(z) = 4.

Mistake 2: Misinterpreting the Basic Definition

Stating that i = −1 is a critical structural error. The correct identity states that i2 = −1, or equivalently, i =
ˆ√(−1).

Mistake 3: Dropping Negative Sign Parameters

For the expression z = 7 − i, assuming the imaginary part is 1 or missing it entirely is incorrect. The minus
sign represents an implicit scale factor, meaning Im(z) = −1.

8. Comprehensive Solved Problems

Identify Re(z) and Im(z) for the following expressions:

Problem 1: z = 8 + 9i
• Solution: Re(z) = 8, Im(z) = 9

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers 4

Problem 2: z = −6 − 5i
• Solution: Re(z) = −6, Im(z) = −5

Problem 3: z = 12
• Solution: This can be written as 12 + 0i. Thus, Re(z) = 12, Im(z) = 0

Problem 4: z = −9i
• Solution: This can be written as 0 − 9i. Thus, Re(z) = 0, Im(z) = −9

Problem 5: z = 2 − i
• Solution: This matches 2 + (−1)i. Thus, Re(z) = 2, Im(z) = −1

9. Practice Exercises

Easy Level — State Re(z) and Im(z) directly:

1. z = 2 + 3i

2. z = −4 + 8i

3. z = 5 − 6i

4. z = −1 − i

5. z = 10

Medium Level — Isolate the real and imaginary components carefully:

1. z = −7i

2. z = √4 + 5i

3. z = 0

4. z = −½ + ¾i

5. z = 2i − 3

Hard Level — Simplify first, convert to standard form z = a + bi, then find Re(z) and Im(z):
1. z = i3

2. z = i4 + 2

3. z = √(−16)

4. z = 5 + √(−25)

5. z = i(2 + i)

10. Mini Quiz

1. Define a Complex Number in your own words.

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers 5

 2. What is the exact numerical value of i2?

3. Identify the Real Part of z = −3 + 4i.

4. Identify the Imaginary Part of z = 5 − 2i.

5. Is the standalone real integer 7 technically a Complex Number? Explain briefly.

6. Is the pure imaginary component −4i considered a Complex Number?

7. True or False: Every Real Number can be accurately classified under the set of Complex Numbers.

8. True or False: Every Imaginary Number can be accurately classified under the set of Complex Numbers.

9. Find Re(z) if z = 14i.

10. Find Im(z) if z = −22.

QUICK REVISION (1-MINUTE CORE METRICS)

• Complex Number Form: z = a + bi

• Real Part: Re(z) = a

• Imaginary Part: Im(z) = b (Remember: it is the coefficient, never include i)

• Pure Real Criterion: Im(z) = 0

• Pure Imaginary Criterion: Re(z) = 0

• Fundamental Rule: i2 = −1, and powers follow a modular 4 cyclic rotation (i, −1, −i, 1).

Chapter 1: Basic Concept of Complex Numbers 6