MAB241 COMPLEX VARIABLES

MODULUS AND ARGUMENT

1 Modulus and argument

A complex number is written in the form
Im
z = x + iy. 6
y uz = x + iy

3
The modulus of z is r 
p 

|z| = r = x2 + y 2 . 

 - Re
x
The argument of z is
y
arg z = = arctan .
x

Note: When calculating you must take account of the quadrant in which z lies - if in doubt draw an
Argand diagram.

The principle value of the argument is denoted by Arg z, and is the unique value of arg z such that
< arg z . Arg z in obtained by adding or subtracting integer multiples of 2 from arg z.

Writing a complex number in terms of polar coordinates r and :

z = x + iy = r cos + ir sin = r(cos + i sin ) = r ei .

For any two complex numbers z1 and z2

 
z1
arg(z1 z2 ) = arg z1 + arg z2 and, for z2 6= 0, arg = arg z1 + arg z2 .
z2

2 Some examples
2.1 Example
Calculate arg z and Arg z where

z =1 3 i.

Solution y
Let = arctan  , and use the Argand diagram to determine .
 
x
So   1
 3
= arctan   = /3,
  T
 1  T
rTT
where the acute angle is chosen for .
Here z lies in the 4th quadrant, therefore for any integer n 3 Ts

arg z = = 2n /3,

but
Arg z = /3.
2.2 Example
Write z = 2 + 2i in the form r ei , where r, R with r > 0 and (, ].

Solution

Here x = 2 and y = 2, so that r = 22 + 22 = 8 = 2 2 and
2 s
 
2 r
= arctan   = /4.
2
Here z lies in the 1st quadrant, therefore arg z = = /4; hence z = 2

2 2 ei/4 .

2.3 Example

Write z = 2 + 2 3 i in the form r ei , where r, R with r > 0 and (, ].

Solution
q
Here x = 2 and y = 2 3, so that r = (2)2 + (2 3)2 = 4 and s

2 3
  T
2 3 Tr
= arctan   = /3.
  T
 2  T
T
Here z lies in the 2nd quadrant, therefore arg z = = /3 = 2/3: hence 2
z = 4 e2i/3 .

2.4 Example  
z1
Let arg(z1 ) = 5/6 and arg(z2 ) = /3, calculate (a) Arg(z1 z2 ). (b) Arg .
z2
Solutions
(a) arg(z1 z2 ) = arg z1 + arg z2 = 5/6 + (/3) = /2 Arg(z1 z2 ) = /2.
(b) arg(z1 /z2 ) = arg z1 arg z2 = 5/6 (/3) = 7/6 Arg(z1 /z2 ) = 7/6 2 = 5/6.

For more information on calculating the modulus and argument of complex numbers refer to the lecture
notes.