What Are Complex Numbers and How Can Beginners Start Learning About Them?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding complex numbers, specifically focusing on the cosine function and its properties in relation to complex logarithms. Participants are exploring how to approach problems involving the equation cos(z) = 2 and the implications of complex solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss starting points for understanding complex numbers and the cosine function. There are attempts to manipulate equations involving cos(z) and questions about the necessity of certain algebraic steps. Some participants express confusion about periodicity and the nature of solutions in the complex plane.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the problem. There is recognition of the need to consider both principal and multiple values in the context of complex logarithms. Some participants are clarifying their understanding of the periodic nature of cosine and the implications for finding all solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of the cosine function in the context of complex numbers, with specific attention to the implications of periodicity and the multivalued nature of logarithms. There is an emphasis on understanding the foundational concepts without reaching a definitive conclusion.

MissP.25_5
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Hello,
please I need help. I have no idea how to start this. Can someone guide me? This is not homework, I'm just studying on my own and I really don't know how to begin this.
 

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probably ought to start with [itex]\cos z = \frac{1}{2}\left(e^{iz}+e^{-iz}\right)[/itex], substituting into the given equation we have

[tex]\frac{1}{2}\left(e^{iz}+e^{-iz}\right)=2[/tex]

now multiply both sides by [itex]2e^{iz}[/itex] and collect all the terms on one side...
 
benorin said:
probably ought to start with [itex]\cos z = \frac{1}{2}\left(e^{iz}+e^{-iz}\right)[/itex], substituting into the given equation we have

[tex]\frac{1}{2}\left(e^{iz}+e^{-iz}\right)=2[/tex]

now multiply both sides by [itex]2e^{iz}[/itex] and collect all the terms on one side...

Why must we multiply both sides by [itex]2e^{iz}[/itex] ?
 
Do it, and see what you end up with. I think you'll agree that it becomes much easier find the set of solutions for z.
 
Nick O said:
Do it, and see what you end up with. I think you'll agree that it becomes much easier find the set of solutions for z.

Is this ok?
 

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Very close! You're just missing one part to capture the periodic nature of cosine.
 
Nick O said:
Very close! You're just missing one part to capture the periodic nature of cosine.

Which part? I don't understand. I thought that would be enough?
 
If cos(z) = 2, what is cos(z+2pi)?
 
I'll be honest and say that I don't know how to produce the extra term from that particular solution, but that's only because I'm missing something that someone else will probably pick up. The term is there nonetheless, which you will see (I believe) if you solve it with Euler's identity instead of u-substitution.
 
  • #10
MissP.25_5 said:
Which part? I don't understand. I thought that would be enough?
From ##e^{iz} = 2\pm \sqrt{3}\Rightarrow iz = \ln (2 \pm \sqrt{3})##, you can expand the RHS, taking into consideration the fact the complex logarithm is multiple valued.
 
  • #11
CAF123 said:
From ##e^{iz} = 2\pm \sqrt{3}\Rightarrow iz = \ln (2 \pm \sqrt{3})##, you can expand the RHS, taking into consideration the fact the complex logarithm is multiple valued.

So how should I solve this question? I guess my working is alright up to this part, right?
 
  • #12
in fact by convention the principle value is
$$\mathrm{Cos}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Cosh}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+\sqrt{3})$$
to find all solutions recall that
$$\cos(-x)=\cos(x) \\
\text{and for any integer k}\\
\cos(x +2k\, \pi)=\cos(x)$$
 
  • #13
MissP.25_5 said:
So how should I solve this question? I guess my working is alright up to this part, right?
It is, the method is fine. Given ##z \in \mathbb{C},## what is ##\log_{e} z##?
 
  • #14
lurflurf said:
in fact by convention the principle value is
$$\mathrm{Cos}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Cosh}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+\sqrt{3})$$

I don't get that part. How do you calculate that?
 
  • #15
CAF123 said:
It is, the method is fine. Given ##z \in \mathbb{C},## what is ##\log_{e} z##?

##\log_{e} z## = loge(x+iy)

Is that correct?
 
  • #16
MissP.25_5 said:
##\log_{e} z## = loge(x+iy)

Is that correct?
It is not what I meant for you to write down - have you studied the complex logarithm?
 
  • #17
MissP.25_5 said:
I don't get that part. How do you calculate that?
Same way you did.

$$\mathrm{Cos}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Cosh}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+\sqrt{3})\sim 1.316957896924816708625046347307968444026981971\imath
$$
is the principal value.
That is the agreed reference value we give when we give only one value.
To find all values you do not need to deal with complex logs (though you could).
Just think back to real trigonometry.
We found one value call it P
then -P was another
then we could add 2n ∏

Once we find one solution, we then find them all
what are all solutions to
$$\cos(x)=2$$
is done the same way as
what are all solutions to
$$\cos(x)=0.2$$
 
  • #18
CAF123 said:
It is not what I meant for you to write down - have you studied the complex logarithm?

Yes, I have. But I don't know how to use that here.
 
  • #19
lurflurf said:
Same way you did.

$$\mathrm{Cos}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Cosh}^{-1}(2)=\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+\sqrt{3})\sim 1.316957896924816708625046347307968444026981971\imath
$$
is the principal value.
That is the agreed reference value we give when we give only one value.
To find all values you do not need to deal with complex logs (though you could).
Just think back to real trigonometry.
We found one value call it P
then -P was another
then we could add 2n ∏

Once we find one solution, we then find them all
what are all solutions to
$$\cos(x)=2$$
is done the same way as
what are all solutions to
$$\cos(x)=0.2$$

Ok, so what do I do next? Am I supposed to expand that log part?
 
  • #20
how would you do the one with 0.2?
It is the same.

If t is any solutions and k is an integer

$$2k\, \pi\pm t$$
is all the solutions because
$$\cos(2k\, \pi\pm t)=\cos(t)$$
by properties of cos(x)
 
  • #21
MissP.25_5 said:
Yes, I have. But I don't know how to use that here.

Ok, so you know that ##\log_e z = \text{Log}_e |z| + i\text{Arg}\,z + 2\pi k, \,\,k \in \mathbb{Z}##, where ##\log## is the complex log and ##\text{Log}## is the real log. Use this to obtain the full solution set of the equation ##iz = \ln(2\pm \sqrt{3})##.

Alternatively, as lurflurf said, make it clear that you solved for the principal value and, using the properties of the cosine, tag on a ##2\pi k.##
 
  • #22
lurflurf said:
how would you do the one with 0.2?
It is the same.

If t is any solutions and k is an integer

$$2k\, \pi\pm t$$
is all the solutions because
$$\cos(2k\, \pi\pm t)=\cos(t)$$
by properties of cos(x)

Are you saying that I have to something like this?
 

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  • #23
CAF123 said:
Ok, so you know that ##\log_e z = \text{Log}_e |z| + i\text{Arg}\,z + 2\pi k, \,\,k \in \mathbb{Z}##, where ##\log## is the complex log and ##\text{Log}## is the real log. Use this to obtain the full solution set of the equation ##iz = \ln(2\pm \sqrt{3})##.

Alternatively, as lurflurf said, make it clear that you solved for the principal value and, using the properties of the cosine, tag on a ##2\pi k.##

But how do I find Arg(Z) here? What is the value of r?
 
  • #24
CAF123 said:
Ok, so you know that ##\log_e z = \text{Log}_e |z| + i\text{Arg}\,z + 2\pi k, \,\,k \in \mathbb{Z}##, where ##\log## is the complex log and ##\text{Log}## is the real log. Use this to obtain the full solution set of the equation ##iz = \ln(2\pm \sqrt{3})##.

Alternatively, as lurflurf said, make it clear that you solved for the principal value and, using the properties of the cosine, tag on a ##2\pi k.##

I'm not sure how to plug in the values. But this is my attempt.
 

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  • #25
You are over thinking
if we know the solution
$$t=\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+\sqrt{3})$$
to find all solutions we consider the additive inverse and shifts by 2 k pi

$$t=2k\, \pi+\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2\pm \sqrt{3})=2k\, \pi\pm\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+ \sqrt{3})$$
 
  • #26
lurflurf said:
You are over thinking
if we know the solution
$$t=\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+\sqrt{3})$$
to find all solutions we consider the additive inverse and shifts by 2 k pi

$$t=2k\, \pi+\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2\pm \sqrt{3})=2k\, \pi\pm\imath\, \mathrm{Ln}(2+ \sqrt{3})$$

Wait, so I just have to add 2∏k, right? So that it rotates and rotates and they will return to the same value after each 2∏ rotation, so that will be all the solutions?

Is this right?
 

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  • #27
^Yes.
Do you intend you ln to be single valued, or multivalued?

cos has period 2pi so adding an integer multiple of 2pi does not change it
 
  • #28
lurflurf said:
^Yes.
Do you intend you ln to be single valued, or multivalued?

cos has period 2pi so adding an integer multiple of 2pi does not change it

Since the instruction says to find all solutions, doesn't that mean ln have to be multivalued? Multivalued means k>0, right? k=0 would be the principle value, which is single valued, isn't it?
Can you check the attachment?
 

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Last edited:
  • #29
MissP.25_5 said:
But how do I find Arg(Z) here? What is the value of r?
##Z_{1,2} = 2 \pm \sqrt{3}## are both real numbers > 0 so ##\text{Arg}\, Z_{1,2} = 0.##

##\log_e z = w \iff z = e^w##, where ##\log_e## on the LHS is the complex logarithm. In your case, $$\log_e e^{iz} = \log_e (2\pm \sqrt{3}) \Rightarrow iz = \dots $$

Expand using the definition of the complex log.
 
  • #30
CAF123 said:
##Z_{1,2} = 2 \pm \sqrt{3}## are both real numbers > 0 so ##\text{Arg}\, Z_{1,2} = 0.##

##\log_e z = w \iff z = e^w##, where ##\log_e## on the LHS is the complex logarithm. In your case, $$\log_e e^{iz} = \log_e (2\pm \sqrt{3}) \Rightarrow iz = \dots $$

Expand using the definition of the complex log.

Have I expanded correctly?
Is that the final answer?
 

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