Complex plane

In mathematics, the complex plane is a way of visualising the space of the complex numbers. It can be thought of as a modified cartesian plane, with the real part represented in the x-axis and the imaginary part represented in the y-axis. The x-axis is also called the real axis and the y-axis is called the imaginary axis.

Related Topics:
Mathematics - Complex numbers - Cartesian plane - Real part - Imaginary part

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The complex plane is sometimes called the Argand plane for its use in Argand diagrams. Its creation is generally credited to Jean-Robert Argand, although it was first described by Norwegian-Danish land surveyor and mathematician Caspar Wessel.

Related Topics:
Jean-Robert Argand - Caspar Wessel

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The concept of the complex plane allows a geometric interpretation of complex numbers. Under addition, they add like vectors, and the multiplication of complex numbers can be expressed simply using polar coordinates, where the magnitude of the product is the product of those of the terms, and the angle from the real axis of the product is the sum of those of the terms.

Related Topics:
Geometric - Addition - Vector - Multiplication - Polar coordinates

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Argand diagrams are frequently used to plot the positions of poles and zeros of a function in the complex plane.

Related Topics:
Pole - Zero - Function

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