Converting a Complex Number to Polar Form

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting a complex number, specifically z = 1 + j, into its polar form. Participants are exploring the representation of angles in the complex plane and the implications of quadrant positioning on the sign of the angle.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the negative sign in the angle of the polar representation, given that both components of the complex number are positive. Other participants discuss the general rules for determining the sign of the angle based on the position in the complex plane.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the conventions of angle measurement in polar coordinates. Some guidance has been provided regarding the direction of angle measurement, but there is no explicit consensus on the original poster's concern about the negative sign.

Contextual Notes

There is an underlying assumption that the angle should be measured from the positive direction of the real axis, which is being discussed in relation to the quadrant of the complex number.

EvLer
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Hello, I have this complex number that I need to convert to polar coord represntation:
z = 1 + j;
the answer is sqrt(2)e^-j45
(45 is degrees).
The part I don't undestand is negative before j45, since a and b are positive, I assumed it's in the first quandrant of Im/Re plane, and if the reference point for theta is real axis positive direction I do not see why there is a "-".
Thanks for explanation.
 
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I'm sure it's a mistake.It should be

[tex]1+j=\sqrt{2}e^{+j\frac{\pi}{4}}[/tex]

Daniel.
 
Thanks, that makes me happier :smile:
But generally, the "-/+" of the angle depends on the position of a and b in the im/real plane, so theta is counted from positive direction of real axis, like usually in geometry ... is it right?

Thank you again.
 
Yes.Theta/the angle is anticlockwise.

Daniel.
 

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