Solve for phase on the real part of a simple complex equation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving for the angle theta in the equation Re { (1+j) ejθ} = -1, which is situated within the context of complex numbers and their representation in polar form.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the transformation of the complex number (1+j) into its polar form and the implications for solving the equation. There are attempts to equate the real part to -1 and questions about the number of solutions within the specified range.

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen various approaches, including the use of Euler's formula and the cosine of a sum of angles. Some participants have provided hints and clarifications regarding the nature of the solutions, while others have expressed confusion about the number of valid solutions in the given range.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the need to work in radians and the potential confusion arising from mixing radians and degrees. The participants are also navigating assumptions about the nature of cosine values and their corresponding angles.

atrus_ovis
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Homework Statement



Solve for theta:
Re { (1+j) e} = -1

Homework Equations


euler's formula?
e = cosθ + jsinθ


The Attempt at a Solution


(1+j) e =e+ Je = cosθ+jsinθ +j(cosθ+jsinθ)
=cosθ+jsinθ+jcosθ+j2sinθ = cosθ-sinθ+j(cosθ+sinθ)

The real part equals -1 => cosθ-sinθ = -1

I don't think I'm supposed to find an angle that this is true... - Have i taken a wrong turn somewhere?
 
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atrus_ovis said:

Homework Statement



Solve for theta:
Re { (1+j) e} = -1

Homework Equations


euler's formula?
e = cosθ + jsinθ

The Attempt at a Solution


(1+j) e =e+ Je = cosθ+jsinθ +j(cosθ+jsinθ)
=cosθ+jsinθ+jcosθ+j2sinθ = cosθ-sinθ+j(cosθ+sinθ)

The real part equals -1 => cosθ-sinθ = -1

I don't think I'm supposed to find an angle that this is true... - Have i taken a wrong turn somewhere?

Yes, you're supposed to solve that trig equation. Hint: there are two solutions in [0, 2pi)

To solve that equation, start by observing that the LHS can be expressed as \sqrt{2}\cos(\theta + \frac{\pi}{4})
 
Probably the most direct way to do it is to start with:

(1+j) = \sqrt{2}e^{j(\frac{\pi}{4})}

so

(1+j)e^{j\theta} = \sqrt{2}e^{j(\frac{\pi}{4} + \theta)} = \sqrt{2}(\cos(\frac{\pi}{4} + \theta) + j\sin(\frac{\pi}{4} + \theta))

And you can equate the real part of that expression to -1 to get to where you landed up using the longer way.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, both of you.

@Curious
yeap, should have converted the cartesian complex number into a phasor right away.

Anyway, taking the real part i end up to :
cos(\frac{\pi}{4} + \theta)= \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}}

(If i use the cosine of a sum of angles formula, i end up to what i got at the first post).

So if you add pi/4 = 45 deg to the angle theta, you get an angle whose cosine is -1.
So theta = 180 - 45 = 135 degrees?

Why two values in 0,2pi ?
 
atrus_ovis said:
Thanks, both of you.

@Curious
yeap, should have converted the cartesian complex number into a phasor right away.

Anyway, taking the real part i end up to :
\cos(\frac{\pi}{4} + \theta)= \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}}

(If i use the cosine of a sum of angles formula, i end up to what i got at the first post).

So if you add pi/4 = 45 deg to the angle theta, you get an angle whose cosine is -1.
So theta = 180 - 45 = 135 degrees?

Why two values in 0,2pi ?

"Both of you"? Well, "both of me" welcome you. :wink: I posted again (rather than edit my original post) for clarity as I saw you were already online and might have read the old post.

Generally, in complex analysis, you work in radians unless otherwise directed. Certainly you shouldn't "mix" radians and degrees as you did.

So let's do it in radians, then just state the answers in degrees in parantheses for completeness.

You have: \cos(\frac{\pi}{4} + \theta) = \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}}

There are two angles in [0, 2pi) that give a cosine of \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}}, namely \frac{3\pi}{4} (or 135 degrees) and \frac{5\pi}{4} (or 225 degrees). You can see this by recognising that the principal angle that gives the correct absolute value of \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (note the positive sign) for the cosine is \frac{\pi}{4} (or 45 degrees). Cosine is positive in the 1st and 4th quadrants, and negative in the 2nd and 3rd quadrants, so find the equivalent angle measures in the 2nd and 3rd quadrants, which are the ones previously stated. Sketch the 4 quadrants if you're unsure how we got there.

So \frac{\pi}{4} + \theta = \frac{3\pi}{4} or \frac{\pi}{4} + \theta =\frac{5\pi}{4}

Solving each of those independently gets you \theta = \frac{\pi}{2} (90 degrees) or \pi (180 degrees) respectively. Those are the two values in [0,2\pi), and they are both admissible, which you can verify by plugging back into the original equation. In the first case, e^{j\theta} = j and in the second, e^{j\theta} = -1. Multiply those by (1+j) and verify that the real part is -1 in each case.
 
Thanks again, one of you :P

I get it now.Somehow in my head i was trying to figure out cos(θ+π/4) = -1 ... go figure.
For the above, θ does have only 1 solution in (0,2pi) , correct?
 
atrus_ovis said:
Thanks again, one of you :P

I get it now.Somehow in my head i was trying to figure out cos(θ+π/4) = -1 ... go figure.
For the above, θ does have only 1 solution in (0,2pi) , correct?

Yes, because pi is the only angle with a cosine equal to -1 within that range.
 
Yep.Thanks again.
 

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