Circuit Analysis
Lecture # 04 – Complex Numbers
Saturday, May 29, 2 Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Computer Science & Information Technology
021
Outline
2
Introduction
Complex Numbers
Polar and Rectangular Representation
Conversion of Complex Numbers
Arithmetic of Complex Numbers
Questions?
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Why Complex Numbers?
3
If I needed to describe the distance between two cities, I
could provide an answer consisting of a single number in
miles, kilometers, or some other unit of linear
measurement.
However, if I were to describe how to travel from one city
to another, I would have to provide more information than
just the distance between those two cities.
I would also have to provide information about the
direction to travel, as well
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Scalar Numbers
4
The kind of information that expresses a single
dimension, such as linear distance, is called a scalar
quantity in mathematics.
Scalar numbers are the kind of numbers you’ve used
in most all of your mathematical applications so far.
The voltage produced by a battery, for example, is a
scalar quantity. So is the resistance of a piece of wire
(ohms), or the current through it (amps).
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
AC Circuit Analysis
5
When we begin to analyze alternating current
circuits, we find that quantities of voltage, current,
and even resistance (called impedance in AC) are not
the familiar one-dimensional quantities we’re used to
measuring in DC circuits.
Rather, these quantities, because they’re dynamic
(alternating in direction and amplitude), possess
other dimensions that must be taken into account.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
AC Circuit Analysis
6
Frequency and phase shift are two of these
dimensions that come into play. Even with relatively
simple AC circuits, where we’re only dealing with a
single frequency, we still have the dimension of
phase shift to contend with in addition to the
amplitude.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number in AC Circuits
7
In order to successfully analyze AC circuits, we
need to work with mathematical objects and
techniques capable of representing these multi-
dimensional quantities. Here is where we need to
abandon scalar numbers for something better
suited: complex numbers.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number in AC Circuits
8
Just like the directions from one city to another, AC
quantities in a single-frequency circuit have both
amplitude (analogy: distance) and phase shift
(analogy: direction).
A complex number is a single mathematical
quantity able to express these two dimensions of
amplitude and phase shift at once.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number in AC Circuits
9
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Vectors and AC Waveforms
10
We can represent AC
quantities of voltage or
current in the form of a
vector? The length of
the vector represents
the magnitude (or
amplitude) of the
waveform.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Vectors and AC Waveforms
11
The greater the amplitude of the waveform, the greater the
length of its corresponding vector. The angle of the vector,
however, represents the phase shift in degrees between the
waveform in question and another waveform acting as a
“reference” in time.
Usually, when the phase of a waveform in a circuit is expressed,
it is referenced to the power supply voltage waveform
(arbitrarily stated to be “at” 0o). Remember that phase is always
a relative measurement between two waveforms rather than an
absolute property.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Vectors and AC Waveforms
12
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Phase Shift – AC Waves
13
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Simple Vector Addition
14
The vectors are mathematical objects just like
numbers on a number line: they can be added,
subtracted, multiplied, and divided.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Simple Vector Addition
15
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Vector Addition
16
If vectors with uncommon angles are added, their
magnitudes (lengths) add up quite differently than
that of scalar magnitudes.
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Vector Addition
17
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Polar Form of Complex Number
18
Polar form is where a complex number is denoted by
the length (otherwise known as the magnitude,
absolute value, or modulus) and the angle of its
vector (usually denoted by an angle symbol that
looks like this: ∠).
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Polar Form of Complex Number
19
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Rectangular Form of Complex Number
20
Rectangular form, on the other hand, is where a complex number
is denoted by its respective horizontal and vertical components.
In essence, the angled vector is taken to be the hypotenuse of a
right triangle, described by the lengths of the adjacent and
opposite sides.
Rather than describing a vector’s length and direction by
denoting magnitude and angle, it is described in terms of “how
far left/right” and “how far up/down.”
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Rectangular Form of Complex Number
21
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Conversion from Polar to Rectangular
22
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Conversion from Rectangular to Polar
23
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number Arithmetic
24
Addition
Subtraction
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number Arithmetic
25
Multiplication
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number Arithmetic
26
Division
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
Complex Number Arithmetic
27
Reciprocal
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
28
Questions?
Circuit Analysis Saturday, May 29, 2021
