Imaginary unit

Revision as of 14:44, 26 October 2007 by Temperal (talk | contribs) (series)

The imaginary unit, $i=\sqrt{-1}$, is the fundamental component of all complex numbers. In fact, it is a complex number itself. It has a magnitude of 1, and can be written as $1 \mathrm{cis } \left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$.

Trigonometric function cis

Main article: cis

The trigonometric function $\cis x$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg) is also defined as $e^{ix}$ or $\sin x+i(\cos x)$.

Series

When $i$ is used in an exponential series, it repeats at every fifth term:

  1. $i^1=\sqrt{-1}$
  2. $i^2=\sqrt{-1}\cdot\sqrt{-1}=-1$
  3. $i^3=-1\cdot i=-i$
  4. $i^4=-i\cdot i=-i^2=-(-1)=1$
  5. $i^5=1\cdot i=i$

This has many useful properties.

Problems

Introductory


See also