High School Is this a complex number at the second quadrant?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of the expression ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## and its classification as a complex number in the second quadrant. Participants clarify that ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## is a real number, approximately equal to 4.25, and does not fall within the range of the principal argument, which is restricted to ##-\pi < \theta \leq \pi##. The correct argument for the complex number ##w = -2 + i## is determined to be ##\arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac{1}{2}##, confirming that the initial assumption about the quadrant was incorrect.

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mcastillo356
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I am quite sure, but I don't manage with Geogebra. It involves the value of the ##\arg(w)## in the interval ##-\pi<\theta\leq{\pi}##, called the principal argument of ##w## and denote it ##\mbox{Arg(w)}##
Hi, PF, so long, I have a naive question: is ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## a complex number at the second quadrant? To define a single-valued function, the principal argument of ##w## (denoted ##\mbox{Arg (w)}## is unique. This is because it is sometimes convenient to restric ##\theta=\arg{(w)}## to an interval of length ##2\pi##, say the interval ##0\leq{\theta}<2\pi##, or ##-\pi<\theta\leq{\pi}##. This last one is which I am concerned with.
PS: I post without preview :frown:
Regards!
 
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mcastillo356 said:
Hi, PF, so long, I have a naive question: is ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## a complex number at the second quadrant?
No, it is a real number about equal to 4.25.
 
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Hi, PF

If ##a<0## and ##b>0##, are we at the second quadrant, therefore ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}##?.
If so, ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## should fall at the second one. I'm quite sure of it. But then, which is the complex number that has ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## as the principal value of the argument?

My attempt: ##w=-2+i##. But here comes the problem: ##\displaystyle\frac{1}{-2}\neq{2}##, so the statement ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}## must be false. The question is that is a true statement. The solution is, in my personal opinion, that the moduli ##|-2+i|=\sqrt{5}##, and the ##\mbox{Arg}## ought to be, ##\pi+\arctan{-2}##.

Regards!
 
mcastillo356 said:
If ##a<0## and ##b>0##, are we at the second quadrant, therefore ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}##?
Yes.

mcastillo356 said:
If so, ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## should fall at the second one. I'm quite sure of it.
No. If ##a<0## and ##b>0## then ## \frac b a \ne 2 ##.

mcastillo356 said:
But then, which is the complex number that has ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## as the principal value of the argument?
As already discussed ##\pi+\arctan{(2)} \approx 4.25##. Is this between ## -\pi \text{ and } \pi ##?

mcastillo356 said:
My attempt: ##w=-2+i##. But here comes the problem: ##\displaystyle\frac{1}{-2}\neq{2}##, so the statement ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}## must be false. The question is that is a true statement. The solution is, in my personal opinion, that the moduli ##|-2+i|=\sqrt{5}##, and the ##\mbox{Arg}## ought to be, ##\pi+\arctan{-2}##.
I don't really understand any of that, but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
 
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pbuk said:
No. If ##a<0## and ##b>0## then ## \frac b a \ne 2 ##.
Oops!
pbuk said:
As already discussed ##\pi+\arctan{(2)} \approx 4.25##. Is this between ## -\pi \text{ and } \pi ##?
Not at all
pbuk said:
I don't really understand any of that, but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
Need to revisit my background in complex numbers. Thanks for your attention, hope we will keep in touch. Regards!
 
pbuk said:
I don't really understand any of that, but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
Understood. Let's see if my drawing agrees with your quote. ##\pi-\arctan\frac 1 2 ##, could be ##\mbox{Arg}## of ##w=(-2+i)##, ##\pi## counterclockwise, and ##\arctan \frac 1 2## clockwise?
geogebra-export (4).png
I don`t manage with ##\pi+\arctan(-2)##. I've tried with a Casio fx-82MS, pretending to switch polar to rectangular coordinates: I won't bore the forums with my effort; I just declare that my attempt is ##\pi+\arctan(-2)=-0.1\mbox{radians}##.
I post with no preview
Regards!
PS: Edited. Reason: Mistake when describing the Geogebra file.
 
Last edited:
pbuk said:
I don't really understand any of that,
Neither me; how many days have I taken? :smile:
pbuk said:
but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
Thank you very much!
Greetings.
 
Hi, PF, write to say how misled was I when saying that the ##\mbox{Arg}## corresponding to ##w=(-2 +i)## was ##\pi + \arctan(-2)=-60.29\;\mbox{degrees}##. Actually placing ##w## at the fourth quadrant :oldlaugh:
 

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