0

# Why and what is principle argument of complex number?

Wiki User

2009-01-23 23:40:23

A complex number (z = x + iy) can be plotted the x-y plane if we consider the complex number the point (x,y) (where x is the real part, and y is the imaginary part). So once you plot the complex number on the x-y plane, draw a line from the point to the origin. The Principle Argument of z (denoted by Arg z) is the measure of the angle from the x-axis to the line (made from connecting the point to (0,0)) in the interval (-pi, pi]. The difference between the arg z and Arg z is that arg z is an countably infinite set. And the Arg z is an element of arg z. Why? : The principle argument is needed to change a complex number in to polar representation. Polar representation makes multiplication of complex numbers very easy. z^2 is pretty simple: just multiply out (x+iy)(x+iy). But what about z^100? This is were polar represenation helps us, and to get into this representation we need the principle argument. I hope that helped.

Wiki User

2009-01-23 23:40:23
Study guides

20 cards

➡️
See all cards
3.8
1785 Reviews