MHB Find the Modulus & Argument of \(wz\)

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The complex numbers \(w\) and \(z\) have been expressed in Cartesian form as \(w = -1 - i\) and \(z = 1 - i\sqrt{3}\). Their product \(wz\) results in \((-1 - \sqrt{3}) + i(-1 + \sqrt{3})\). The modulus of \(wz\) is calculated as \(\sqrt{(-1 - \sqrt{3})^2 + (-1 + \sqrt{3})^2}\), yielding a specific value. The argument can be determined using the arctangent function based on the real and imaginary parts, leading to the exact angle for \(wz\). This process illustrates the multiplication of complex numbers and the conversion between polar and Cartesian forms.
Punch
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The complex number w has modulus \(\sqrt{2}\) and argument \(-\frac{3\pi}{4}\), and the complex number \(z\) has modulus \(2\) and argument \(-\frac{\pi}{3}\). Find the modulus and argument of \(wz\), giving each answer exactly.
By first expressing w and \(z\) is the form \(x+iy\), find the exact real and imaginary parts of \(wz\).
I have a problem with finding the argument of \(wz\) and expressing \(w\) and \(z\) in the form \(x+iy\)
 
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Re: complex numbers

Punch said:
The complex number w has modulus \sqrt{2} and argument -\frac{3\pi}{4}, and the complex number z has modulus 2 and argument -\frac{\pi}{3}. Find the modulus and argument of wz, giving each answer exactly.
By first expressing w and z is the form x+iy, find the exact real and imaginary parts of wz.
I have a problem with finding the argument of wz and expressing w and z in the form x+iy
Review how to multiply two complex numbers when they are written in polar form.

z = r cis(theta). You need to review polar form.
 
Punch said:
The complex number w has modulus \(\sqrt{2}\) and argument \(-\frac{3\pi}{4}\), and the complex number \(z\) has modulus \(2\) and argument \(-\frac{\pi}{3}\). Find the modulus and argument of \(wz\), giving each answer exactly.
By first expressing w and \(z\) is the form \(x+iy\), find the exact real and imaginary parts of \(wz\).
I have a problem with finding the argument of \(wz\) and expressing \(w\) and \(z\) in the form \(x+iy\)

If you need to solve this problem by converting to Cartesians, then

\[ \displaystyle \begin{align*} w &= \sqrt{2}\left[\cos{\left(-\frac{3\pi}{4}\right)} + i\sin{\left(-\frac{3\pi}{4}\right)}\right] \\ &= \sqrt{2}\left(-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \frac{i}{\sqrt{2}}\right) \\ &= -1 - i \end{align*} \]

and

\[ \displaystyle \begin{align*} z &= 2\left[\cos{\left(-\frac{\pi}{3}\right)} + i\sin{\left(-\frac{\pi}{3}\right)}\right] \\ &= 2\left(\frac{1}{2} - \frac{i\sqrt{3}}{2} \right) \\ &= 1 - i\sqrt{3} \end{align*} \]

So multiplying them together gives...

\[ \displaystyle \begin{align*} wz &= \left(-1-i\right)\left(1-i\sqrt{3}\right) \\ &= -1 + i\sqrt{3} - i + i^2\sqrt{3} \\ &= \left(-1 - \sqrt{3}\right) + i\left(-1 + \sqrt{3}\right) \end{align*} \]Can you evaluate the modulus and argument of this complex number?
 

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