Trigonometric Form for Complex Numbers

A complex number is a number that can be represented in the form , where a is the real part and bi is the imaginary part.

We can geometrically represent (i.e. graph) a complex number  in a plane using the ordered pair (a, b). The x-axis is relabeled as the real axis and the y-axis is relabeled as the imaginary axis.

We learned how to add, subtract, multiply and divide complex numbers. To work effectively with powers and roots of complex numbers, it is helpful to write complex numbers in trigonometric form.

 

Find out more about the trigonometric form for complex numbers by reading the explanation below.

Trigonometric Form for Complex Numbers


Practice:  Write the complex numbers in trigonometric form in the following exercises.

Trigonometric Form for Complex Numbers 1

Trigonometric Form for Complex Numbers 2