Complex Number- Express in magnitude/phase form

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The discussion revolves around the challenge of expressing a complex number in magnitude and phase form, specifically the expression a/(iw+a). The original poster struggles with the calculations and attempts to simplify the expression but ends up back at the initial problem. A key point raised is the need to use complex exponentials, which involves recognizing the magnitude and phase of the components. The solution involves converting the expression into the form of complex exponentials, using the formula for magnitude and phase for complex numbers. Understanding these concepts is essential for successfully completing the problem.
aqmal_12
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Hi, I have a problem with complex number. I do really appreciate your help. I've attempted the question but it's getting me no where. Thanks in advance!

Homework Statement



Perform the following complex variable calculations, using complex exponentials. Express the results in magnitude/phase form

a/(iw+a)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I just attempted this solution but it's getting me nowhere.

a/(a+iw) x (a-iw)/(a-iw) = a(a-iw)/a^2 + w^2

and as I factorize it further, I get the initial problem back. How do I transform this to the form of magnitude and phase? thank you so much.
 
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First, you need parentheses- you mean a(a- iw)/(a^2+ w^2)= (a^2/(a^2+w^2))- i (aw/(a^2+ w^2). Frankly, the difficulty appears toijn be that the problem asks you to "use complex exponentials", writing the "magnitude" and "phase" and you don't seem to know what those are! This problem expects you to know that the "complex exponential" for x+ iy is (\sqrt{x^2+ y^3})e^{i arctan(y/x)}. Just do that with x= a^2/(a^2+ w^2) and y= aw/(a^2+ w^2).

But the problem says to do the calculations "using complex exponentials" and I would interpret that as meaning to change into complex exponentials and then do the caculation. The caculation is a/(a+ iw). The "complex exponential" for a is easy- a is a real number so its argument is 0 or \pi and its distance from the origin is |a|- its complex exponential is a e^{i0} if a is positive and -a e^{i\pi} if a is negative. And the complex exponential of a+ iw is just what I showed above: \sqrt{a^2+ w^2}e^{i arctan(w/a)}.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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