Complex Numbers and Its Different Forms

Complex Numbers can be written in three forms or notations:

1. Rectangular

2. Trigonometric

3. Polar

For example, the following vector can be described using three different forms:

ComplexNo ECE301Fall2008mboutin.JPG

Rectangular Complex Numbers

Rectangular Complex Numbers are denoted by its horizontal and vertical components.

Example: $ X = 0.5 + \frac{\sqrt[]{3}}{2} j $

Trigonometric Complex Numbers

Complex Numbers can also be expressed in trigonometric form.

Example: $ X = cos60^{\circ} + jsin60^{\circ} $


Polar Complex Numbers

Polar form is when a complex number is described by its length and angle.

Example: $ X = 1 < 60^{\circ} $

Alumni Liaison

Questions/answers with a recent ECE grad

Ryne Rayburn