Need a review on Complicated explonential math

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the addition of complex numbers expressed in exponential form, specifically using Euler's identity. Participants seek guidance on how to perform the addition and simplify the expressions, with a focus on understanding the steps involved in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a review of how to add two complex numbers given in exponential form, z=8e^(i(pi)/3) and w=4e^(i(pi)/6).
  • Another participant points out that the addition of complex numbers with different exponents cannot be simplified directly, referencing the rules of exponents.
  • Several participants discuss the application of Euler's identity, e^{i\theta}=cos{\theta}+isin{\theta}, to convert the exponential forms into trigonometric forms.
  • There is a request for clarification on how to apply Euler's identity to derive the cosine and sine components from the given expressions.
  • Participants share their calculations for the cosine and sine values of the angles involved, noting the relationships between them.
  • Some participants express confusion about the steps required to gather real and imaginary parts after applying Euler's identity.
  • Corrections are made regarding the simplification of terms, with participants refining their expressions for the final result.
  • One participant confirms that they arrived at the correct answer after gathering terms, while another acknowledges a correction made in the process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the approach to adding the complex numbers, as participants express varying levels of understanding and make corrections to each other's work. Some participants agree on the final answer, while others question earlier steps and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on specific trigonometric values and relationships, which may not be universally agreed upon or fully explored in the discussion. The steps leading to the final answer involve assumptions about the application of Euler's identity and the simplification of complex terms.

Oblio
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I completely forget how to do this... can someone give me a review on how to do this?

For example:
z=8e^(i(pi)/3)
w=4e^(i(pi)/6)

z+w= ?

This is an example in my book but no steps are given for this, the answer they give is
(4 + 2sqrt[3]) + (4sqrt[3] + 2) i

I have virtually no memory of this...
I'd greatly appreciate any guidance I can get with this.
Thanks!
 
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this isn't log rules, this is euler's identity : e^{i\theta}=cos{\theta}+isin{\theta}

i don't think you can generally add thing with different exponents, i mean you can't simplify x^2 + x^3 right
 
Oblio said:
I completely forget how to do this... can someone give me a review on how to do this?

For example:
z=8e^(i(pi)/3)
w=4e^(i(pi)/6)

z+w= ?

This is an example in my book but no steps are given for this, the answer they give is
(4 + 2sqrt[3]) + (4sqrt[3] + 2) i

I have virtually no memory of this...
I'd greatly appreciate any guidance I can get with this.
Thanks!

Use Euler's identity to get z=8cos(pi/3)+8isin(pi/3) and w=4cos(pi/6)+4isin(pi/6).

cos(pi/3)=sin(pi/6)=1/2, cos(pi/6)=sin(pi/3)=[sqrt(3)]/2. You can finish up to get the book answer.
 
mathman said:
Use Euler's identity to get z=8cos(pi/3)+8isin(pi/3) and w=4cos(pi/6)+4isin(pi/6).

Can you assist me in how to do this step?
I can't seem to 'get', for example, z=8cos(pi/3)+8isin(pi/3) using that identity.
 
How did you manage to get rid of the pesky e using that identity?
 
Oblio said:
How did you manage to get rid of the pesky e using that identity?

z=8e^(i(pi)/3)

From ice109's post: Euler's identity is

e^{i\theta}=cos{\theta}+isin{\theta}

directly applying this integral to z=8e^(i(pi)/3)... here theta = pi/3

so z = 8(cos(pi/3) + isin(pi/3))
 
I'm blind.

Ok, that's not hard. What about the next step of getting the pair of three equalities?

cos(pi/3)=sin(pi/6)=1/2, cos(pi/6)=sin(pi/3)=[sqrt(3)]/2
 
Oblio said:
I'm blind.

Ok, that's not hard. What about the next step of getting the pair of three equalities?

cos(pi/3)=sin(pi/6)=1/2, cos(pi/6)=sin(pi/3)=[sqrt(3)]/2

pi/3 = 60. pi/6=30

cos(60) = sin(30) (for any angle x<90, cos(x) = sin(90-x), sin(x) = cos(90-x)

so, cos(60) = sin(30) = 1/2, cos(30) = sin(60) = sqrt(3)/2
 
Last edited:
learningphysics said:
pi/3 = 60.

cos(60) = sin(30) (for any angle x<90, cos(x) = sin(90-x), sin(x) = cos(90-x)

so, cos(60) = sin(30) = 1/2, cos(30) = sin(60) = sqrt(3)/2

Ok I can see they are equal.

So, is the logic that you simplify each to 1/2 and sqrt[3]/2 and then add those together?
 
  • #10
Oblio said:
Ok I can see they are equal.

So, is the logic that you simplify each to 1/2 and sqrt[3]/2 and then add those together?

gather the complex terms (the terms that are multiplied by i) and the real terms together.
 
  • #11
I have z+w

z+w = 8cos(pi/3) + 8isin(pi/3) + 4cos(pi/6) + isin(pi/6)

Gather them...
 
  • #12
Oblio said:
I have z+w

z+w = 8cos(pi/3) + 8isin(pi/3) + 4cos(pi/6) + isin(pi/6)

Gather them...

yup... gather the "i" terms together... I mean like this:

z+w = 8cos(pi/3) + 4cos(pi/6) + i[8sin(pi/3) + sin(pi/6)]

now substitute in the values for cos(pi/3) etc...
 
  • #13
is...

4 + 4sqrt[3]/2 + i[8sqrt[3]/2 + 1/2]
 
  • #14
Oblio said:
I have z+w

z+w = 8cos(pi/3) + 8isin(pi/3) + 4cos(pi/6) + isin(pi/6)

Gather them...

That should be:

z+w = 8cos(pi/3) + 8isin(pi/3) + 4cos(pi/6) + 4isin(pi/6)
 
  • #15
Yep your right.
That gives me the right answer now :P

(4 + 2sqrt[3]) + i(4sqrt[3] + 2)
 
  • #16
Oblio said:
is...

4 + 4sqrt[3]/2 + i[8sqrt[3]/2 + 1/2]

yeah, except that should have been 4isinpi/6... so the answer is actually:

4 + 4sqrt[3]/2 + i[8sqrt[3]/2 + 4(1/2)]

so when you simplify... you get

4 + 2sqrt[3] + i(4sqrt[3] + 2)
 
  • #17
yeah I saw your correction. I was right wasnt i?
 
  • #18
Oblio said:
yeah I saw your correction. I was right wasnt i?

yeah, sorry. I replied before seeing your reply. :-p
 

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