12.3 Graphical Representation of Complex Numbers

  • Complex Plane • Complex Number as a Point • Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers Graphically

Graphically, we represent a complex number as a point, designated as a + bj ,  in the rectangular coordinate system. The real part is the x-value of the point, and the imaginary part is the y-value of the point. Used in this way, the coordinate system is called the complex plane, the horizontal axis is the real axis, and the vertical axis is the imaginary axis.

EXAMPLE 1 Complex numbers in the complex plane

In Fig. 12.3, A represents the complex number 3 − 2j ,  B represents  − 1 + j ,  and C represents  − 2 − 3j .  These complex numbers are represented by the points (3 ,   − 2) , ( − 1 , 1) ,  and ...

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