Precalculus Polar Form and De Moivre’s Theorem Worksheet Solutions (PDF)
This polar complex answers for Precalculus covers polar form and de moivre's theorem (Common Core N-CN.B.4, N-CN.B.5, N-CN.B.6), with a free PDF to print.
Precalculus · Common Core State Standards: N-CN.B.4, N-CN.B.5, N-CN.B.6
Polar complex answers: exercises 1 to 10
Exercise 1 – Modulus and argument
\(r=\sqrt{1+3}=2\). \(\tan\theta=\sqrt3\) in quadrant I, so \(\theta=60^{\circ}\).
\(z=2(\cos60^{\circ}+i\sin60^{\circ})\)
Exercise 2 – Quadrant II
\(r=\sqrt{9+9}=3\sqrt2\). The point is in quadrant II with reference angle \(45^{\circ}\), so \(\theta=135^{\circ}\).
\(3\sqrt2(\cos135^{\circ}+i\sin135^{\circ})\)
Exercise 3 – On an axis
\(r=4\). The point \((0,-4)\) is on the negative imaginary axis, at \(270^{\circ}\).
\(4(\cos270^{\circ}+i\sin270^{\circ})\)
Exercise 4 – Polar to rectangular
\(6\cos120^{\circ}=-3\). \(6\sin120^{\circ}=3\sqrt3\).
\(-3+3\sqrt3\,i\)
Exercise 5 – Polar to rectangular in radians
\(4\cdot\frac{\sqrt3}{2}=2\sqrt3\). \(4\cdot\frac12=2\).
\(2\sqrt3+2i\)
Exercise 6 – Quadrant IV
\(r=5\sqrt2\). The point is in quadrant IV with reference angle \(45^{\circ}\), so \(\theta=315^{\circ}\) (or \(-45^{\circ}\)).
\(5\sqrt2(\cos315^{\circ}+i\sin315^{\circ})\)
Exercise 7 – Multiply in polar form
Moduli: \(2\cdot3=6\). Angles: \(30^{\circ}+45^{\circ}=75^{\circ}\). Rectangular: \(6\cos75^{\circ}\approx 1.553\), \(6\sin75^{\circ}\approx 5.796\).
\(6(\cos75^{\circ}+i\sin75^{\circ})\approx 1.553+5.796i\)
Exercise 8 – Divide in polar form
\(\frac{12}{4}=3\) and \(200^{\circ}-50^{\circ}=150^{\circ}\). Rectangular: \(3\cos150^{\circ}\approx -2.598\) and \(3\sin150^{\circ}=1.5\).
\(3\,\text{cis}\,150^{\circ}\approx -2.598+1.500i\)
Exercise 9 – Check with rectangular multiplication
\(1+i=\sqrt2\,\text{cis}\,45^{\circ}\) and \(\sqrt3+i=2\,\text{cis}\,30^{\circ}\). Product: \(2\sqrt2\,\text{cis}\,75^{\circ}\approx 0.732+2.732i\). Rectangular: \(\sqrt3+i+\sqrt3\,i+i^{2}=(\sqrt3-1)+(\sqrt3+1)i\approx 0.732+2.732i\).
\(2\sqrt2\,\text{cis}\,75^{\circ}\approx 0.732+2.732i\)
Exercise 10 – De Moivre with a unit modulus
\(\cos(9\cdot20^{\circ})+i\sin(9\cdot20^{\circ})=\cos180^{\circ}+i\sin180^{\circ}\).
\(-1\)
Exercises 11 and up
Exercise 11 – Power of 1 + i
\(1+i=\sqrt2\,\text{cis}\,45^{\circ}\). \((\sqrt2)^{8}=16\) and \(8\cdot45^{\circ}=360^{\circ}\).
16
Exercise 12 – Power with a negative angle
\(r=2\), \(\theta=-30^{\circ}\). \(2^{6}=64\) and \(6\cdot(-30^{\circ})=-180^{\circ}\): \(64\,\text{cis}(-180^{\circ})\).
\(-64\)
Exercise 13 – Power in rectangular form
\(2^{4}=16\), \(4\cdot15^{\circ}=60^{\circ}\): \(16\cdot\frac12+16\cdot\frac{\sqrt3}{2}i\).
\(8+8\sqrt3\,i\)
Exercise 14 – Cube roots of 8
\(8=8\,\text{cis}\,0^{\circ}\). The roots have modulus \(\sqrt[3]{8}=2\) and arguments \(0^{\circ},120^{\circ},240^{\circ}\): \(2\), \(-1+\sqrt3\,i\), \(-1-\sqrt3\,i\).
\(2,\ -1+\sqrt3\,i,\ -1-\sqrt3\,i\)
Exercise 15 – Sixth roots of unity
Since \(1=1\,\text{cis}\,0^{\circ}\), \(\theta=\frac{360^{\circ}k}{6}=60^{\circ}k\) for \(k=0,\text{ to },5\).
\(\text{cis}\,0^{\circ},\ 60^{\circ},\ 120^{\circ},\ 180^{\circ},\ 240^{\circ},\ 300^{\circ}\)
Exercise 16 – Fourth roots of -16
\(-16=16\,\text{cis}\,180^{\circ}\). Modulus \(\sqrt[4]{16}=2\). Arguments \(\frac{180^{\circ}+360^{\circ}k}{4}=45^{\circ},135^{\circ},225^{\circ},315^{\circ}\). Each has \(2\cos45^{\circ}=\sqrt2\).
\(\sqrt2+\sqrt2\,i,\ -\sqrt2+\sqrt2\,i,\ -\sqrt2-\sqrt2\,i,\ \sqrt2-\sqrt2\,i\)
Exercise 17 – Solve z cubed = 27i
\(27i=27\,\text{cis}\,90^{\circ}\). Roots: \(3\,\text{cis}\,30^{\circ}\), \(3\,\text{cis}\,150^{\circ}\), \(3\,\text{cis}\,270^{\circ}\). That is \(\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}+\frac32i\), \(-\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}+\frac32i\) and \(-3i\).
\(z=\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}+\frac32i,\ -\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}+\frac32i,\ -3i\)
Exercise 18 – AC circuit
\(|Z|=5\) and \(\text{arg}\,Z=\arctan\frac43\approx53.13^{\circ}\). Multiply: \(10\cdot5=50\), \(0^{\circ}+53.13^{\circ}\).
\(Z=5\,\text{cis}\,53.13^{\circ}\); \(V=50\,\text{cis}\,53.13^{\circ}\) volts
Exercise 19 – Rotate a point
\((4+3i)\left(\frac12+\frac{\sqrt3}{2}i\right)=2+2\sqrt3\,i+\frac32i+\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}i^{2}=\left(2-\frac{3\sqrt3}{2}\right)+\left(2\sqrt3+\frac32\right)i\approx -0.60+4.96i\).
\(\approx -0.60+4.96i\)
Exercise 20 – Cube root of unity
\(\omega=\text{cis}\,120^{\circ}\), so \(\omega^{3}=\text{cis}\,360^{\circ}=1\). \(\omega^{2}=\text{cis}\,240^{\circ}=-\frac12-\frac{\sqrt3}{2}i\). Then \(1+\left(-\frac12+\frac{\sqrt3}{2}i\right)+\left(-\frac12-\frac{\sqrt3}{2}i\right)=0\).
Both statements hold
Key facts behind this polar complex answers
- z = a + bi = r(cos theta + i sin theta) with r = sqrt(a^2 + b^2) and tan theta = b/a.
- Product: multiply moduli, add arguments. Quotient: divide moduli, subtract arguments.
- De Moivre: [r cis theta]^n = r^n cis(n theta).
- nth roots: (r)^(1/n) cis((theta + 360 k)/n), k = 0, …, n – 1.
- The n roots form a regular n-gon on a circle of radius r^(1/n).
How to use this polar complex answers
Cover each solution, solve the exercise again, then uncover it and compare every line. If your answer differs, find the first step that changed and redo the exercise from there.
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Download the polar complex answers as a PDF with the button below and keep it with your notes.
Download the polar complex answers as a PDF with the button below and keep it with your notes.
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