Chapter Contents

• Complex Numbers
• 1. Basic Definitions
• 2. Basic Operations
• 3. Graphical Representation
• 4. Polar Form
• Convert polar to rectangular using calculator
• 5. Exponential Form
• 6. Products and Quotients
• 7. Powers and Roots
• 8. AC Circuit Definitions
• 9. Impedance and Phase Angle
• 10. Reactance and Angular Velocity
• 11. AC Circuit Exercises
• 12. Parallel AC Circuits
• Vocabulary
• Fractals
• Complex Numbers Problem Solver

• Comments, Questions?

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5. Exponential Form of a Complex Number

by M. Bourne

IMPORTANT:

In this section, `θ` MUST be expressed in radians.

We use the important constant

`e = 2.718 281 8...`

in this section.

We first met e in the section Natural logarithms (to the base e).

The exponential form of a complex number is:

`r e^(\ j\ theta)`

(r is the absolute value of the complex number, the same as we had before in the Polar Form; and
θ is in radians.)

Example 1

Express `5(cos 135^@ +j\ sin\ 135^@)` in exponential form.

Answer

Example 2

Express `-1 + 5j` in exponential form.

Answer

SUMMARY: Forms of a complex number

These expressions have the same value. They are just different ways of expressing the same complex number.

Rectangular form	Polar form	Exponential form
x + yj	`r(cos\ θ + j\ sin\ θ)` `= r\ "cis"\ θ` `= r∠ θ`	rejθ

NOTE:

1. For Polar Form, θ can be in degrees OR radians.

2. For Exponential Form, θ MUST be in radians.

Exercises

1. Express in exponential form:

`4.50(cos\ 282.3^@+ j\ sin\ 282.3^@)`

Answer

2. Express in exponential form: `-1 - 5j`

Answer

3. Express in polar and rectangular forms: `2.50e^(3.84j)`

Answer