Argand diagram calculator

Plot a complex number, find every nth root, or draw a locus. Exact answers where possible.

Type it or drag the point. Use i, sqrt( ) and fractions: 1/2 + sqrt(3)/2 i.

ReIm-2-2-1-11122z*z
z
−2+2i-2 + 2i
Modulus
∣z∣=22|z| = 2\sqrt{2}≈ 2.83
Argument
arg⁡z=3π4\arg z = \frac{3\pi}{4}135°
Conjugate
z∗=−2−2iz^* = -2 - 2i
Square
z2=−8iz^2 = -8i
Reciprocal
1z=−14−14 i\frac{1}{z} = -\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{4}\,i
Modulus-argument form
z=22(cos⁡(3π4)+isin⁡(3π4))z = 2\sqrt{2}\left(\cos \left(\frac{3\pi}{4}\right) + i\sin \left(\frac{3\pi}{4}\right)\right)
Exponential form
z=22 e3π4iz = 2\sqrt{2}\,e^{\frac{3\pi}{4} i}

Questions students ask

How do you find the argument of a complex number?

Plot it first, then use tan⁡α=∣ba∣\tan\alpha = \left|\frac{b}{a}\right| for the angle to the real axis and adjust for the quadrant. For −2+2i-2 + 2i, α=π4\alpha = \frac{\pi}{4} and the point is in the second quadrant, so arg⁡z=π−π4=3π4\arg z = \pi - \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{3\pi}{4}.

What range does the argument have in Edexcel Further Maths?

The principal argument is in −π<arg⁡z≤π-\pi < \arg z \le \pi, in radians. A point below the real axis has a negative argument: arg⁡(1−i)=−π4\arg(1 - i) = -\frac{\pi}{4}.

How do you find all the nth roots of a complex number?

Write w=reiθw = re^{i\theta}. The roots of zn=wz^n = w are r1/nei(θ+2kπ)/nr^{1/n}e^{i(\theta + 2k\pi)/n} for k=0,1,…,n−1k = 0, 1, \dots, n - 1. For z3=8iz^3 = 8i: r=8r = 8 and θ=π2\theta = \frac{\pi}{2}, so the roots are 2eiπ/62e^{i\pi/6}, 2e5iπ/62e^{5i\pi/6} and 2e−iπ/22e^{-i\pi/2}, which are 3+i\sqrt{3} + i, −3+i-\sqrt{3} + i and −2i-2i.

What does |z - a| = |z - b| look like?

Every point the same distance from aa and bb: the perpendicular bisector of the line joining them. For a=2−ia = 2 - i and b=−1+2ib = -1 + 2i it is the line y=xy = x.

Learn it properly

Independent practice for Pearson Edexcel A-level Further Mathematics (9FM0), not endorsed by Pearson.

Privacy · Terms