Help with complex number derivation

diracy
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Homework Statement


(a) Suppose the segment connecting (a,b) to (0,0) has length r_{1} and forms an angle \theta_{1} with the positive side of the x-axis. Suppose the segment connecting (c,d) to (0,0) has a length r_{2} and forms an angle \theta_{2} with the positive side of the x-axis. Now let (a+bi)(c+di)=x+yi. Show that the length of the segment connecting (x,y) to the origin is r_{1}r_{2} and the angle formed is \theta_{1}+\theta_{2}.

(b) Use the result from (a) to find a complex number z\inC such that z^2=i.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


(a+bi)(c+di)=x+yi
ac+adi+bci+bd(i^{2})=x+yi
ac+adi+bci-bd=x+yi
(ac-bd)+(ad+bc)=x+yi
x=(ac-bd), y=(ad+bc)

I'm not sure where to go from here. Just looking for some help. Thanks!
 
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Remember the formulas for going from standard form of a complex number to trig form. If z = a + bi = r(cos θ + i sin θ), then
r = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2},
a = r cos θ and b = r sin θ, and
\tan \theta = \frac{b}{a}.

If x=(ac-bd) and y=(ad+bc), then what is
\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}? You'll need to make it equal to r1r2.

For the angle, you'll need the tangent of a sum identity.
\tan (\theta_1 + \theta_2) = \frac{\tan \theta_1 + \tan \theta_2}{1 - \tan \theta_1 \tan \theta_2}
 
Last edited:
eumyang said:
Remember the formulas for going from standard form of a complex number to trig form. If z = a + bi = r(cos θ + i sin θ), then
r = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2},
a = r cos θ and b = r sin θ, and
\tan \theta = \frac{b}{a}.

If x=(ac-bd) and y=(ad+bc), then what is
\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}? You'll need to make it equal to r1r2.

For the angle, you'll need the tangent of a sum identity.
\tan (\theta_1 + \theta_2) = \frac{\tan \theta_1 + \tan \theta_2}{1 - \tan \theta_1 \tan \theta_2}

I'm honestly not getting very far with this. Could you help me out a little more?
 
Ok, I got the first part. Now I need to prove the angle part. Any help?
 
eumyang said:
If x=(ac-bd) and y=(ad+bc), then what is
\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}?
Start with this. Plug in what x and y equals into the square root and expand the radicand. Show us what you get.

EDIT: Never mind. You said that you got this part.
eumyang said:
For the angle, you'll need the tangent of a sum identity.
\tan (\theta_1 + \theta_2) = \frac{\tan \theta_1 + \tan \theta_2}{1 - \tan \theta_1 \tan \theta_2}
\tan \theta_1 = \frac{b}{a}
and
\tan \theta_2 = \frac{d}{c}
Plug these into the formula above and simplify. Somehow you'll have to simplify to y/x. (Remember that you had x and y can be expressed in terms of a, b, c, and d.)
 
eumyang said:
Start with this. Plug in what x and y equals into the square root and expand the radicand. Show us what you get.

EDIT: Never mind. You said that you got this part.



\tan \theta_1 = \frac{b}{a}
and
\tan \theta_2 = \frac{d}{c}
Plug these into the formula above and simplify. Somehow you'll have to simplify to y/x. (Remember that you had x and y can be expressed in terms of a, b, c, and d.)

Hmmm...

After I plug those in, what methods can I use to simply that expression?
 
After plugging those in, try multiplying the numerator and denominator of this complex fraction by ac.

(Going to bed now... :zzz:)
 
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