3. Graphical Representation of Complex Numbers

by M. Bourne

We can represent complex numbers in the complex plane.

We use the horizontal axis for the real part and the vertical axis for the imaginary part.

 

Example:

The number 3 + 2j is represented by:

math expression


A is the representation of the complex number 3 + 2j.

We can add complex numbers graphically. [This is the same idea as adding vectors graphically].

 

Example:

Add 1 + 2j and 3 - j graphically.

Answer:

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math expression


We add the complex numbers by setting up a parallelogram. The solution is (4 + j).

 

Exercise

Perform graphically: (3 - 2j) + (-1 - j)

Answer:

math expression

The answer is 2 − 3j.



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