The triangle inequality, |z + | ≤ |z| + | |, illustrates that in a triangle formed by complex numbers on an Argand diagram, the length of one side is always less than or equal to the sum of the lengths of the other two sides. Verifying involves showing for complex numbers z = a + ib and = c + id, |z + | = √((a+c)^2 + (b+d)^2) ≤ √(a^2 + b^2) + √(c^2 + d^2), which holds true due to the non-negative property of square roots and the definition of vector addition in Euclidean space .

A complex number z = a + ib and its conjugate, = a - ib, have several notable properties. The sum of a complex number and its conjugate is purely real, given by z + = 2a. The modulus of a complex number is also equal to the modulus of its conjugate, |z| = | |. Moreover, when a complex number is multiplied by its conjugate, the result is a real number: z = |z|^2 .

The conversion of a complex number z = a + ib to polar form involves finding the modulus r and the argument θ. For z = -1 + i3, the modulus is r = √((-1)² + 3²) = √(1 + 9) = √10. The argument is θ = atan(3/-1), simplifying to θ = π - tan⁻¹(3) (since the complex number is in the second quadrant). Thus, the polar form is √10(cos(π - tan⁻¹(3)) + i sin(π - tan⁻¹(3))).

De Moivre's Theorem states that for a complex number z = r(cos θ + i sin θ), z^n = r^n[cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ)]. For z = 1 + i, first convert to polar form: r = √(1² + 1²) = √2, θ = tan⁻¹(1) = π/4. Applying the theorem, (1 + i)^4 = (√2)^4[cos(4(π/4)) + i sin(4(π/4))] = 4(cosπ + i sinπ) = -4. The advantage of this approach is the simplification of computations involving powers of complex numbers, avoiding expansion and directly utilizing trigonometric identities .

With complex numbers z₁ = a + ib and z₂ = c + id, their addition is straightforward: (a + c) + i(b + d), combining like terms seprately. For subtraction: (a - c) + i(b - d), subtract corresponding real and imaginary components. These operations are significant as they mirror vector addition and subtraction in the complex plane, preserving geometric properties and facilitating computations .

To simplify (3 + 2i)(2 - 5i), apply the distributive property: (3 * 2) + (3 * -5i) + (2i * 2) + (2i * -5i), which leads to: 6 - 15i + 4i - 10i². Since i² = -1, replace i² with -1, transforming -10i² to +10. Thus, the expression simplifies to 6 - 15i + 4i + 10 = 16 - 11i .

To divide complex numbers z₁ = a + ib and z₂ = c + id, multiply by the conjugate of the denominator to rationalize it, converting z1/z2 to (a+ib)(c-id)/(c+id)(c-id). The denominator becomes c² + d², a real number. The numerator becomes ac + bd + i(bc - ad), simplifying division into a complex number with real and imaginary parts that avoid division by complex numbers, allowing clean separation as a real number in the denominator eliminates i from it .

In the Argand diagram, the position of a complex number z = a + ib is plotted as the point (a, b). The modulus of a complex number, denoted |z|, is calculated as the square root of the sum of the squares of its real and imaginary parts, i.e., |z| = √(a² + b²). This value represents the Euclidean distance from the point (a, b) to the origin (0,0) on the Argand plane .

The Argand diagram represents complex numbers as points with real parts on the x-axis and imaginary parts on the y-axis, allowing geometric interpretation of algebraic operations. It visually demonstrates modulus as vector length, argument as angle from the positive x-axis, and shows addition and subtraction as vector addition. This diagram simplifies understanding of operations like multiplication and division, which are seen as rotations and scalings, making transformations intuitive and reinforcing the connection between algebraic and geometric interpretations of complex numbers .

In polar form, a complex number z = r(cos θ + i sin θ), where r = |z| and θ = arg(z). To multiply two complex numbers z₁ and z₂ in polar form, the moduli are multiplied and the arguments are added: z₁z₂ = r₁r₂[cos(θ₁ + θ₂) + i sin(θ₁ + θ₂)]. Using Euler's form, z = re^(iθ), the multiplication of two complex numbers z₁ and z₂ becomes z₁z₂ = r₁r₂e^(i(θ₁+θ₂)), which succinctly encapsulates the similar principles of multiplying their moduli and adding their arguments .