How do you convert the following complex number into its polar representation: 3i?

1 Answer
Aug 25, 2017

Polar coordinates (r,theta) are (0, pi/2)

Explanation:

Complex numbers are written as a + bi, where a & b are real numbers.

For this example, a = 0.

Complex numbers are often interpreted as 2 dimensional Cartesian coordinates. The complex number a+bi would be represented as an x-coordinate of a, and a y-coordinate of b. For 0 + 3i, x would be 0, and y would be 3.

The polar representation of these coordinates would be a pair of numbers (r,theta) such that r represents the distance of the point from the origin, and theta represents the angle from the chosen "zero" direction.

For this example, I will choose the "zero" angle to be due east, pointing towards the right of the graph, or in the same direction as positive x on the Cartesian plane.

And we're going to convert Cartesian coordinates (0,3) to polar coordinates.

The radius r is easily calculated from the Pythagorean theorem:

r = sqrt(x^2 + y^2)

= sqrt(0 + 9)

= 3

Now, picture a point (x, y) drawn on the cartesian plane.

we know r = sqrt(x^2 + y^2), and, from trigonometry, we also know that

x/r = cos(theta)

Since our x coordinate is 0, then 0/3 = cos(theta) = 0

Also from trigonometry, we know that y/r = sin(theta)
From our cartesian coordinates (0,3) we have y = 3 and r = 3, therefore,

sin(theta) = 1.

sin(theta) = 1 and cos(theta) = 0 implies that theta = pi/2.

This is due "north", or straight up on the graph. Plot a point 3 units along this direction. It should be easy to see that this is the same point as (0,3) as plotted on the Cartesion version of the graph.

GOOD LUCK!