How to Find the Absolute Value of a Complex Number

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 5 views

Introduction

In mathematics, complex numbers are numbers that can be expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit, which satisfies the equation i^2 = -1. The absolute value of a complex number is a measure of its distance from the origin in the complex plane. In this article, we will explore which complex number has an absolute value of 5.

What is the Absolute Value of a Complex Number?

The absolute value of a complex number a + bi is defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of its real and imaginary parts. Mathematically, it can be represented as:

|a + bi| = √(a^2 + b^2)

How to Find the Absolute Value of a Complex Number

To find the absolute value of a complex number, we can use the formula above. We simply need to square the real and imaginary parts of the complex number, add them together, and then take the square root of the result.

Example 1: Finding the Absolute Value of 3 + 4i

Let's find the absolute value of the complex number 3 + 4i.

|3 + 4i| = √(3^2 + 4^2) |3 + 4i| = √(9 + 16) |3 + 4i| = √25 |3 + 4i| = 5

Example 2: Finding the Absolute Value of 2 + 3i

Let's find the absolute value of the complex number 2 + 3i.

|2 + 3i| = √(2^2 + 3^2) |2 + 3i| = √(4 + 9) |2 + 3i| = √13

Example 3: Finding the Absolute Value of 7 - 2i

Let's find the absolute value of the complex number 7 - 2i.

|7 - 2i| = √(7^2 + (-2)^2) |7 - 2i| = √(49 + 4) |7 - 2i| = √53

Example 4: Finding the Absolute Value of 9 + 4i

Let's find the absolute value of the complex number 9 + 4i.

|9 + 4i| = √(9^2 + 4^2) |9 + 4i| = √(81 + 16) |9 + 4i| = √97

Which Complex Number Has an Absolute Value of 5?

Based on the examples above, we can see that only one complex number has an absolute value of 5. The complex number 3 + 4i has an absolute value of 5.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the complex number 3 + 4i has an absolute value of 5. This is because the square root of the sum of the squares of its real and imaginary parts is equal to 5. We can use this formula to find the absolute value of any complex number.

Answer

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored which complex number has an absolute value of 5. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about complex numbers.

Q: What is a complex number?

A complex number is a number that can be expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit, which satisfies the equation i^2 = -1.

Q: What is the absolute value of a complex number?

The absolute value of a complex number is a measure of its distance from the origin in the complex plane. It is defined as the square root of the sum of the squares of its real and imaginary parts.

Q: How do I find the absolute value of a complex number?

To find the absolute value of a complex number, you can use the formula |a + bi| = √(a^2 + b^2). Simply square the real and imaginary parts of the complex number, add them together, and then take the square root of the result.

Q: What is the difference between a real number and a complex number?

A real number is a number that can be expressed without any imaginary part, such as 3 or 4. A complex number, on the other hand, is a number that has both a real part and an imaginary part, such as 3 + 4i.

Q: Can I add complex numbers together?

Yes, you can add complex numbers together. To add two complex numbers, you simply add their real parts and imaginary parts separately.

Q: Can I multiply complex numbers together?

Yes, you can multiply complex numbers together. To multiply two complex numbers, you can use the distributive property and the fact that i^2 = -1.

Q: What is the conjugate of a complex number?

The conjugate of a complex number a + bi is a - bi. The conjugate of a complex number is used to simplify expressions and to find the absolute value of a complex number.

Q: How do I simplify complex expressions?

To simplify complex expressions, you can use the distributive property, the fact that i^2 = -1, and the fact that the conjugate of a complex number can be used to simplify expressions.

Q: What are some common applications of complex numbers?

Complex numbers have many applications in mathematics, science, and engineering. Some common applications include:

Electrical engineering: Complex numbers are used to represent AC circuits and to analyze the behavior of electrical systems.
Signal processing: Complex numbers are used to represent signals and to analyze the behavior of signal processing systems.
Control systems: Complex numbers are used to represent the behavior of control systems and to analyze the stability of control systems.
Navigation: Complex numbers are used to represent the position and velocity of objects in navigation systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, complex numbers are an important concept in mathematics and have many applications in science and engineering. We hope that this article has helped to answer some of your questions about complex numbers.

Additional Resources

If you would like to learn more about complex numbers, we recommend the following resources:

Textbooks: "Complex Analysis" by Serge Lang and "Complex Numbers and Geometry" by Michael Artin.
Online resources: Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, and Wolfram Alpha.
Software: MATLAB, Mathematica, and Python.