Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers

University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

Introduction

In the real number system, raising a number to a power or getting the logarithm of a
number is straightforward. However, when we encounter complex numbers, it becomes
complicated. Here, Euler’s formula will be useful in extending the concepts beyond real
numbers. This topic explores how we define and compute expressions like (a + bi)(c + di) and
log(z), where the base, exponent, and argument are complex numbers.

Objectives

By the end of this topic, the students may be able to:

1. Express complex numbers in exponential (polar) form using Euler's formula: 𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 .
2. Compute complex powers (a + bi)(c + di) by:
a. Converting the base to exponential form.
b. Applying the rule 𝑧 𝑤 = 𝑒 𝑤𝑙𝑛𝑧 .
3. Define and compute the complex logarithm 𝑙𝑛 (𝑧) for a complex number 𝑧 with the help
of Laws of Logarithm and Exponents

Laws of Logarithm

Product Rule 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐴 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐵 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐴𝐵

Quotient Rule 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐴 – 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐵 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐴/𝐵
Power Rule 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐴𝑛 = 𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝐴
Zero Rule 𝑙𝑜𝑔 1 = 0
Identity Rule 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑚 𝑚 = 1
Inverse Property of Logarithm 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑏𝑘 = 𝑘
Inverse Property of Exponent 𝑏 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏𝑘 = 𝑘
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎
Change of Base 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑎 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑏
10

Review of Laws of Exponent

Product Rule 𝑥 𝑚 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚+𝑛

𝑥𝑚
Quotient Rule = 𝑥 𝑚−𝑛
𝑥𝑛
Power Rule (𝑥 𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚𝑛

Product of a Power Rule (𝑥𝑦)𝑚 = 𝑥 𝑚 𝑦 𝑛

𝑥𝑚
Product of a Quotient Rule 𝑥𝑛
= 𝑥 𝑚−𝑛
Zero Exponent 𝑥0 =1
1
Negative Exponent Rule 𝑥 −𝑚 = 𝑥𝑚

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro

Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers
University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

Consider the Complex Number

𝑧 𝑤 = 𝑒 𝑤𝑙𝑛𝑧

The complex number 𝑧 is the base. Base is the number being raised to a certain power.
For example, ln(1 + 𝑖)3 , 1 + 𝑖 is the base.

The exponent (or power) is the number that indicates how many times the base is to
be multiplied by itself. In complex number, the exponent can itself be a complex number, which
leads to a rich and non-intuitive behavior. In the expression above, 𝑤 is the exponent. A ln 𝑧 is a
multi-valued, hence, raising a complex number to a complex number often results in a multiple
value.

The argument denoted as 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧), is a property of a single complex number. It is the

angle in radians between the positive real axis and the line segment connecting the origin to the
𝑦
point representing the complex number. For a complex number, argument satisfies 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑥.
Crucially, the argument is not unique. Since, angles are periodic modulo 2𝜋 or a complex number
has infinitely many arguments: 𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧) = 𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘, for any integer 𝑘. The principal argument
denoted as 𝐴𝑟𝑔(𝑧), is the single value of the argument that lies in the interval (−𝜋, 𝜋). This is the
value returned by most calculators and computer algebra systems.

The relationship between base, exponent, and argument is the key to complex
exponentiation. The polar form of a complex number is:
𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝜃 = |𝑧|𝑒 𝑖𝑎𝑟𝑔(𝑧)
Where:
 r = |𝑧| is the modulus (the base’s distance from the origin)
 θ = arg(z) is the argument (the base’s angle)

To raise a base 𝑧 to a power 𝑤, we use this form and the properties of logarithms and
exponentials:
𝑗𝜃
𝑧 𝑤 = (𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝜃 )𝑤 = 𝑒 𝑤𝑙𝑛(𝑟𝑒 ) =𝑒 𝑤[𝑙𝑛𝑟+𝑗(𝜃+2𝜋𝑘)]

The logarithm of a complex number is multi-valued. This means for a single complex
number 𝑧, there are infinitely many complex numbers 𝑤 that satisfy the equation 𝑒 𝑤 = 𝑧.

The principal value is the method of choosing a single, well-defined value from this
infinite set to create a standard, usable function (called the principal branch of the logarithm).

Because of periodicity 𝑒 𝑤 = 𝑒 𝑤+𝑗2𝜋𝑘 , the solution is 𝑤 = ln 𝑟 + 𝑗𝜃 + 𝑗2𝜋𝑘, for any integer

𝑘, therefore the full definition of the complex logarithm is:

ln 𝑧 = ln 𝑟 + 𝑗(𝜃 + 2𝜋𝑘)
for 𝑘 = 0, ±1, ±2, ….

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro

Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers
University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

Common Logarithm (log) vs Natural Logarithm (ln)

-Common logarithm is a log with base-10.
Ex. 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑎 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎; when the log has no base its default is base 10.
-Natural logarithm is a log with base ℮, where ℮ is a real number approximately equal to
2.71828.
Ex. 𝑙𝑛𝑒 10 = 𝑙𝑛 10, it is understood that ln has a base of e. The symbol ln comes from the
Latin word logarithmus naturalis.

For common and natural logarithm, law of logarithm applies to both.

Logarithm of Complex Numbers

Case I: Given the complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦 , taking the log of z, then

𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦)

It will be complicated to use the rectangular form of the complex number in performing
logarithm operation, instead, we convert the rectangular form to exponential form because it
can work easily with logarithm.

𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝜃 )

Product rule: 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑟) + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑒 𝑗𝜃 )

𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑟) + 𝑗𝜃 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑒)

Case II: Given the complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦 , taking the ln of z, then

𝑙𝑛 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑛 (𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝜃 )

Product rule: 𝑙𝑛 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑛 (𝑟) + 𝑙𝑛 (𝑒 𝑗𝜃 )

Note that 𝒍𝒏 𝒆 = 𝟏. 𝑙𝑛 (𝑧) = 𝑙𝑛 (𝑟) + 𝑗𝜃

Inversely, exponentiating the logarithm we get:

𝑒 𝑙𝑛𝑧 = 𝑒 ln(𝑟+𝑗𝜃) = 𝑒 𝑙𝑛 𝑟 𝑒 𝑗𝜃

𝑒 𝑙𝑛𝑧 = 𝑧 ; Inverse property of exponent

𝑒 ln(𝑟+𝑗𝜃) = 𝑒 𝑙𝑛 𝑟 𝑒 𝑗𝜃 ; Product rule, Law of Exponent

Therefore:

𝑧 = 𝑒 𝑙𝑛 𝑟 𝑒 𝑗𝜃

𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝜃

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro

Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers
University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

Sample Problems: (For uniformity, simplify answers up to three (3) decimal places and express
all answers I rectangular form.

Recall that: 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑗𝜃 ; where 𝜃 is in radians.

1. Find the principal value of ln(3 − 𝑗4).

Solution: Convert the complex number from rectangular form to exponential form. In
exponential form always make sure that the angle is in radian form. This problem involves
(Case II)
ln(3 − 𝑗4) = ln(5𝑒 −𝑗0.927 )

= ln(5) + ln( 𝑒 −𝑗0.927 ) ;by applying product rule of logarithm

= ln(5) − 𝑗0.927

= 1.61 − 𝑗0.927 ;Answer

2. Find the principal value of log(−5 − 𝑗2).

Solution: This problem is similar to sample problem 1, however it involves (Case I)

log(−5 − 𝑗2) = log(5.385𝑒 −𝑗2.761 )

= log(5.385) − 𝑗2.761log(𝑒) ; By applying product rule of logarithm

= 0.731 − 𝑗1.2 ; Answer

3. Find the principal value of 𝑙𝑜𝑔2+𝑗 = (3 − 𝑗5).

Solution: Rearrange the equation by applying the law of logarithm: change of base.
ln(3−𝑗5)
𝑙𝑜𝑔2+𝑗 = (3 − 𝑗5) = ln(2+𝑗)
; you might be confused why ln was used instead
of log because ln was the standard choice for
extending the logarithm function to complex
numbers and is valid due to change of base law.
ln(5.831𝑒 −𝑗1.030 )
= ln(2.236𝑒 𝑗0.464 )

ln(5.831)−𝑗1.030)
=
ln(2.236)+𝑗0.464)
; apply the product rule of logarithm

1.763−𝑗1.030
= 0.805+𝑗0.464 ; calculate using the calculator. Set the calculator in
complex mode.
= 1.1 − 𝑗1.91 ; Answer

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro

Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers
University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

4. Find the principal value of (3 + 𝑗4)1+𝑗2 .

Solution: We will consider first the complex number inside the parenthesis and express it in
exponential form.

3 + 𝑗4 = 5𝑒 𝑗0.927

= 𝑒 𝑙𝑛5 𝑒 𝑗0.927 ; using the inverse property of exponent

= 𝑒 1.609+𝑗0.927 ; using the product rule of laws of exponent
Therefore:
1+𝑗2
(3 + 𝑗4)1+𝑗2 = (𝑒 1.609+𝑗0.927 ) ; simplify the exponent using power rule of laws of
exponent. Multiply the exponent using the
calculator.
= 𝑒 −0.245+𝑗4.145 ; simplify the exponent using power rule of laws of
exponent.
= 𝑒 −0.245 𝑒 𝑗4.145

= 0.783𝑒 𝑗4.145 ; convert the complex number to rectangular form

In your calculator, you may use Rec function in
converting polar form to rectangular form. In Comp
mode, press Shift + minus sign (Rec) then input
your values as shown: Rec (0.783, 4.145)
= −0.421 − 𝑗0.66 ; Answer

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro

Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers
University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____________

Year&Section: _________________________

ACTIVITY SHEET 2.1 – POWER AND LOGARITHMS OF COMPLEC NUMBERS

Instructions: Evaluate and show necessary solutions for all the items below. Express all final
answer in rectangular form. Simplify you answers up to three (3) decimal places.

1. Find the principal value of (−𝑗)𝑗 .

2. Evaluate ln(𝑧) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑧 = (4 − 𝑗4).

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro

Module 2: Power and Logarithm of Complex Numbers
University of Antique
College of Engineering and Architecture

3. Find the principal value of 𝑙𝑜𝑔3+𝑗2 (5 − 𝑗7).

4. Evaluate 4𝑒 1+𝑗3

Compiled and Prepared by: Engr. Joshua Louise S. Navarro