What is the correct way to convert to polar form?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of complex numbers to polar form, focusing on the calculations of magnitudes and angles. Participants explore various methods and expressions for representing complex numbers in polar coordinates, including potential errors in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant attempts to calculate the magnitude of \(1 + i\) but arrives at an incorrect conclusion of 0, questioning why it should be \(\sqrt{2}\).
  • Another participant provides the formula for the magnitude of a complex number using its conjugate, suggesting a method for verification.
  • A different participant successfully converts \(1 + i\) to polar form as \(\sqrt{2} \, \text{cis} \left( \frac{\pi}{4} \right)\) and \(\sqrt{3} - i\) to \(2 \text{cis}\left( \frac{-\pi}{6}\right)\).
  • One participant discusses the calculation of \(\theta\) for \(1 + i\) and raises a question about the sine component, indicating confusion over the correct angle for \(\sin\theta\).
  • Another participant notes the range of the \(\arcsin\) function, which may relate to the angle determination in polar coordinates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct calculations and methods for converting to polar form, with no consensus reached on the errors identified in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations appear to depend on specific assumptions about angle ranges and the definitions of trigonometric functions in different quadrants, which may not be fully resolved in the discussion.

nacho-man
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I started of with attempting to convert the numerator first

$ | 1 + i | = \sqrt{1^2+i^2}$
$= \sqrt{1-1} = 0$ ? this is wrong obviously, i don't see why its $\sqrt{2}$

for the second part

$ |\sqrt{3} - i|= \sqrt{3+1} = 2$

$ x = r \cos\theta$ $ y = r\sin\theta$

$x = 2\cos\theta$ $ y=2\sin\theta$

then $\theta = \frac{\pi}{3} and \frac{\pi}{6}$

$ = 2(\cos\frac{\pi}{3} + \sin\frac{\pi}{6} = 2cis(\frac{\pi}{3})$ I don't see why this is wrong either
 

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The magnitude of a complex number $a+bi$ is given by $|a+bi|= \sqrt{(a+bi)(a-bi)}$. That is, you multiply a number by its complex conjugate, and then you take the square root.
 
$$1+i = \sqrt{2} \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}+i \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right) = \sqrt{2} \, \text{cis} \left( \frac{\pi}{4} \right)$$

$$\sqrt{3}-i = 2 \left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}- i \frac{1}{2} \right) = 2 \text{cis}\left( \frac{-\pi}{6}\right)$$
 
$\cos\theta = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$
Therefore
$ \theta = \frac{\pi}{4}$
and $\sin\theta=\frac{-1}{\sqrt{2}}$
therefore
$\theta = \frac{\pi}{4} + \pi = \frac{5\pi}{4}$
What have i done wrong for the $\sin\theta$ part?
 
The range of \displaystyle \begin{align*} y = \arcsin{(x)} \end{align*} is \displaystyle \begin{align*} \left[ -\frac{\pi}{2} , \frac{\pi}{2} \right] \end{align*}.
 

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