Multiplication of Complex Numbers

Multiplication of Complex Numbers

Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 08:07 PM IST

Four fundamental arithmetic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—provide the algebraic operations on complex numbers in mathematics. The algebraic methods define the algebraic operations on complex numbers. To explain the link between the number of operations, some fundamental algebraic laws are employed, such as distributive, commutative, and associative laws. Algebra has its own set of principles designed to solve problems since it is a concept based on known and unknown values or variables.

This Story also Contains
  1. Complex Number
  2. Multiplication Of Complex Numbers
  3. Properties Of Multiplication Of Complex Numbers
  4. Solved Examples
Multiplication of Complex Numbers
Multiplication of Complex Numbers

In this article, we will cover the concept of multiplication of complex numbers. This concept falls under the broader category of complex numbers. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and more.

Complex Number

The number which has no real meaning then these numbers are represented in complex forms. The general form of complex numbers are $a+i b$ where i is iota or$\sqrt{-1}$.

A number of the form$a+i b$ is called a complex number (where a and b are real numbers and i is iota). We usually denote a complex number by the letter z, z1, z2, etc

For example,$z=5+2 i$ is a complex number.

5 here is called the real part and is denoted by Re(z), and 2 is called the imaginary part and is denoted by Im(z)

Multiplication Of Complex Numbers

Multiplying any two complex numbers is equal to the multiplication of two binomials.

Let $z_1={a}+\mathrm{ib}$ and $\mathrm{z}_2=\mathrm{c}+\mathrm{id}$ be any two complex numbers. Then, the multiplication $\mathrm{z}_1 \cdot \mathrm{z}_2$ is defined as

$
\begin{aligned}
z_1 \cdot z_2 & =(a+i b) \cdot(c+i d) \\
& =a c+i a d+i b c+i^2 b d \\
& =a c+i(a d+b c)-b d \\
& =(a c-b d)+i(a d+b c)
\end{aligned}
$

For example, $z_1=(4+3 i)$ and $z_2=(2-5 i)$, then $z_1 \cdot z_2$ is

$
\begin{aligned}
(4+3 i)(2-5 i) & =4(2)-4(5 i)+3 i(2)-(3 i)(5 i) \\
& =8-20 i+6 i-15\left(i^2\right) \\
& =(8+15)+(-20+6) i \\
& =23-14 i
\end{aligned}
$

Properties Of Multiplication Of Complex Numbers


Name of the Property

Description

Expression

Closure property

The product of any two complex numbers is always a complex number only

$z_1 \cdot z_2=z$


Commutative property

Change of any order of any complex numbers does not change the result of their product (L.H.S=R.H.S)

$z_1 \cdot z_2=z_2 \cdot z_1$


Associative property

Regrouping of any complex numbers does not change the result of their product

(L.H.S=R.H.S)

$\begin{aligned} & \left(z_1 \cdot z_2\right) \cdot z_3= z_1 \cdot\left(z_2 \cdot z_3\right)\end{aligned}$

Distributive property

Multiplying any complex number with the sum of two complex numbers is given by:

$\begin{aligned} & z_1 \cdot\left(z_2+z_3\right)=z_1 \cdot z_2+z_1 \cdot z_3\end{aligned}$


Multiplicative identity: if the multiplication of a complex number z1 with another complex number z2 is z1, then z2 is called the multiplicative identity. We have z・1 = z = 1・z, so 1 is the multiplicative identity.

Multiplicative inverse: For every non-zero complex $z=a+i b,(a \neq 0, b \neq 0)$ we have the complex number $\frac{a}{a^2+b^2}+i \frac{-b}{a^2+b^2}\left(\right.$ denoted by $\frac{1}{z}$ or $\left.z^{-1}\right)$ called the multiplicative inverse of z.

Recommended Video Based on Multiplication of Complex Numbers:

Solved Examples

Example 1: The multiplicative inverse of the complex number $z=\frac{5+i \sqrt{2}}{1-i \sqrt{2}}$ is:

Solution:

As we have learnt, The multiplicative inverse of $z$ is $1 / z$
Now,

$
\begin{aligned}
& z=\frac{5+i \sqrt{2}}{1-i \sqrt{2}} \\
& \text { So } \frac{1}{z}=\frac{1-i \sqrt{2}}{5+i \sqrt{2}} \\
& =\frac{1-i \sqrt{2}}{5+i \sqrt{2}} \cdot \frac{5-i \sqrt{2}}{5-i \sqrt{2}} \\
& =\frac{5-i \sqrt{2}-i 5 \sqrt{2}-2}{25+2} \\
& =\frac{3-6 \sqrt{2} i}{27} \\
& =\frac{3(1-2 \sqrt{2} i)}{27} \\
& =\frac{(1-2 \sqrt{2} i)}{9}
\end{aligned}
$
So the multiplication inverse is $\frac{1-2 i \sqrt{2}}{9}$.
Hence, the answer is the option 2.


Example 2: Let $z_1=2+3 i$ and $z_2=-1-5 i$ then $z_1 z_2$ equals

Solution:

As we learned in

Multiplication of Complex Numbers -

(a+ib)(c+id)=(ac-bd)+i(bc+ad)

$z_1 z_2=(2+3 i)(-1-5 i)=\{(2)(-1)-(3)(-5)\}+i\{(3)(-1)+(2)(-5)\}$

$\Rightarrow z_1 z_2=13-13 i$

Hence, the answer is 13-13i

Example 3: For two non-zero complex numbers $z_1$ and $z_2$ if $\operatorname{Re}\left(z_1 z_2\right)=0$ and $\operatorname{Re}\left(z_1+z_2\right)=0$, then which of the following are possible?

A. $\operatorname{lm}\left(z_1\right)>0$ and $\operatorname{Im}\left(z_2\right)>0$
B. $\operatorname{lm}\left(z_1\right)<0$ and $\operatorname{Im}\left(z_2\right)>0$
C. $\operatorname{lm}\left(z_1\right)>0$ and $\operatorname{Im}\left(z_2\right)<0$
D. $\operatorname{lm}\left(z_1\right)<0$ and $\operatorname{Im}\left(z_2\right)<0$

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
1) $B$ and $D$
2) A and B
3) $B$ and $C$
4) A and C

Solution:

$\operatorname{Re}\left(z_1 z_2\right)=0$ and $\operatorname{Re}\left(z_1+z_2\right)=0$
let $z_1=a_1+i h_1 a_{n t} z_n=a_2+i_2$
$a_1 z_2=\left(a_1 a_2-b_1 b_2\right)+i\left(a_1 b_2+b_1 a_2\right)$
$\because R e\left(z_1 z_2\right)=a_1 a_2-b_1 b_2=0$
$\therefore a_1 a_2=b_1 b_2 \ldots \ldots \ldots(1)$
and $\operatorname{Re}\left(z_1+z_2\right)=0 \Rightarrow a_1+a_2=0$
$E a_2=-a_1 \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots(2)$
rom (1) and (2)
$-b_1 b_2=-1_1^2<1$
The product of $b_1 b_2$ is a Negative
- Im (z) and Im (z) are also of opposite sign

Hence, the answer is the option 3.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do you understand by the multiplication of two complex numbers?

 Multiplication of two complex numbers means the multiplication of one number to another i'e z1z2.

2. What is the multiplication inverse of z.

 The multiplication inverse of z is 1/z.

3. How do you multiply complex numbers?

Suppose $z 1=\mathrm{a}+\mathrm{ib}$ and $z^2=\mathrm{c}+$ idare two complex numbers, then the multiplication or product of these two complex numbers can be calculated using the formula $z 122=(a c-d b)+i(a d+b c)$

4. Is the complex number closed under multiplication?

Yes, complex numbers are closed under multiplication.

5. What properties apply to multiplication with complex numbers?

The following properties can be defined for the multiplication of complex numbers:
Closure law
Commutative law
Associative law
Distributive law
The existence of multiplicative identity
The existence of a multiplicative inverse

6. How does complex number multiplication affect the argument (angle) of complex numbers?
When multiplying complex numbers, the arguments (angles) add:
7. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of roots of complex numbers?
Complex number multiplication is essential in finding roots of complex numbers. For example, to find the square root of i, we can use the fact that:
8. Why is it important to keep track of i² when multiplying complex numbers?
Keeping track of i² is crucial because i² = -1. This property allows us to simplify expressions containing higher powers of i. For example:
9. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of modulus?
The modulus of the product of two complex numbers is equal to the product of their individual moduli:
10. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of absolute value?
The absolute value (or modulus) of the product of two complex numbers is equal to the product of their absolute values:
11. Why is the order of multiplication important for complex numbers?
The order of multiplication is important for complex numbers because, while it doesn't affect the final result (complex multiplication is commutative), it can affect the ease of calculation. For example, when multiplying several complex numbers, choosing a strategic order can simplify intermediate steps.
12. What's the relationship between complex number multiplication and vector operations?
Complex number multiplication is related to vector operations in that it combines both scaling and rotation. The magnitude of the product is the product of the magnitudes of the factors, while the angle of the product is the sum of the angles of the factors. This is similar to how vectors can be scaled and rotated.
13. What role does complex number multiplication play in finding roots of unity?
Complex number multiplication is essential in finding roots of unity. The nth roots of unity are complex numbers that, when raised to the power n, equal 1. These roots can be found by multiplying complex numbers in polar form. For example, the cube roots of unity are 1, -1/2 + (√3/2)i, and -1/2 - (√3/2)i, which are obtained by multiplying e^(2πi/3) by itself.
14. What's the connection between complex number multiplication and vector dot products?
While complex number multiplication is not directly equivalent to vector dot products, there is a connection. The real part of the product of two complex numbers is related to the dot product of the corresponding 2D vectors:
15. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of complex exponentials?
Complex number multiplication is closely related to complex exponentials through Euler's formula:
16. How does complex number multiplication relate to De Moivre's formula?
De Moivre's formula, (cos θ + i sin θ)ⁿ = cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ), is a direct application of complex number multiplication in polar form. It shows how repeated multiplication of a complex number with itself results in angle addition, which is crucial in trigonometry and complex analysis.
17. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of complex conjugates?
Complex number multiplication is closely related to complex conjugates. The product of a complex number and its conjugate is always a real number:
18. Why is it important to distinguish between i and -i when multiplying complex numbers?
Distinguishing between i and -i is crucial because they behave differently in multiplication:
19. Why is it important to understand both rectangular and polar forms when multiplying complex numbers?
Understanding both forms is important because:
20. What's the relationship between complex number multiplication and the trigonometric form of complex numbers?
The trigonometric form of a complex number is z = r(cos θ + i sin θ). When multiplying two numbers in this form:
21. What is the basic rule for multiplying two complex numbers?
The basic rule for multiplying two complex numbers (a + bi) and (c + di) is:
22. What's the geometric interpretation of complex number multiplication?
Geometrically, multiplying two complex numbers combines two transformations:
23. How does multiplying complex numbers in polar form differ from rectangular form?
In polar form, complex numbers are represented as r(cos θ + i sin θ) or re^(iθ). Multiplication in polar form is simpler:
24. Why doesn't the FOIL method work directly for complex number multiplication?
The FOIL (First, Outer, Inner, Last) method can be applied to complex number multiplication, but it's not sufficient on its own. After applying FOIL, you need to simplify the result by combining like terms and applying the i² = -1 rule. For example:
25. How does multiplying by a real number affect a complex number?
Multiplying a complex number by a real number k scales both its real and imaginary parts by k:
26. Why does i² equal -1 when multiplying complex numbers?
i² equals -1 because i is defined as the square root of -1. When we multiply i by itself, we get:
27. How does the distributive property apply to complex number multiplication?
The distributive property applies to complex numbers just as it does to real numbers. When multiplying (a + bi) and (c + di), we distribute each term of the first factor to each term of the second:
28. What's the difference between multiplying two pure imaginary numbers and two complex numbers?
Multiplying two pure imaginary numbers (bi and di) results in a real number: (bi)(di) = bdi² = -bd
29. How does conjugate multiplication simplify complex number operations?
Conjugate multiplication involves multiplying a complex number by its conjugate:
30. How does multiplying a complex number by i affect its geometric representation?
Multiplying a complex number by i rotates it 90° counterclockwise in the complex plane. This is because multiplication by i is equivalent to multiplying by √(-1), which rotates the number by 90°. For example, if z = a + bi, then iz = -b + ai, which is perpendicular to the original number.
31. How does the associative property apply to complex number multiplication?
The associative property holds for complex number multiplication, meaning (a × b) × c = a × (b × c) for any complex numbers a, b, and c. This property allows us to multiply complex numbers in any order without changing the result, which is particularly useful in simplifying complex expressions.
32. What's the significance of the identity element in complex number multiplication?
The identity element for complex number multiplication is 1 + 0i, or simply 1. Multiplying any complex number by 1 leaves it unchanged:
33. What's the significance of the distributive property in complex number multiplication?
The distributive property is crucial in complex number multiplication as it allows us to multiply complex numbers in parts:
34. How does the concept of complex conjugates simplify multiplication of complex fractions?
Complex conjugates simplify multiplication of complex fractions by rationalizing the denominator. For a fraction (a + bi)/(c + di), multiply both numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator:
35. What's the significance of the imaginary unit i in complex number multiplication?
The imaginary unit i is fundamental to complex number multiplication because:
36. How does complex number multiplication relate to matrix multiplication?
Complex number multiplication can be represented as 2x2 matrix multiplication. The complex number a + bi corresponds to the matrix:
37. Why is it important to consider the order of operations when multiplying complex expressions?
The order of operations is crucial in complex expressions because:
38. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of complex roots of polynomials?
Complex number multiplication is essential in finding and understanding complex roots of polynomials. For a polynomial p(x) = 0, if a + bi is a root, then its complex conjugate a - bi is also a root. This property, along with the ability to multiply complex numbers, helps in factoring polynomials and solving higher-degree equations.
39. What's the connection between complex number multiplication and rotation matrices in 2D transformations?
Complex number multiplication corresponds to rotation and scaling in the complex plane. This is similar to the action of 2D rotation matrices. Multiplying by a complex number z = r(cos θ + i sin θ) is equivalent to applying the rotation matrix:
40. How does the concept of complex number multiplication extend to higher dimensions?
While complex numbers represent 2D quantities, their multiplication concept extends to higher dimensions through quaternions (4D) and octonions (8D). These higher-dimensional number systems have their own multiplication rules, which generalize complex number multiplication while losing some properties (like commutativity for quaternions).
41. Why is it important to understand the geometric interpretation of complex number multiplication?
Understanding the geometric interpretation is important because:
42. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of complex power functions?
Complex number multiplication is fundamental to understanding complex power functions. For example, z^n for integer n involves repeated multiplication of z with itself. For non-integer powers, we use the exponential form:
43. What's the significance of the field properties in complex number multiplication?
The field properties (closure, associativity, commutativity, distributivity, identity, and inverse elements) are crucial in complex number multiplication because:
44. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of complex exponential growth?
Complex number multiplication is key to understanding complex exponential growth. In the function e^(a+bi)t, where t is time:
45. Why is it important to distinguish between real and imaginary parts when multiplying complex numbers?
Distinguishing between real and imaginary parts is crucial because:
46. How does complex number multiplication relate to the concept of analytic functions?
Complex number multiplication is fundamental to analytic functions. An analytic function f(z) can be expressed as a power series:
47. What's the connection between complex number multiplication and the roots of unity?
Complex number multiplication is key to understanding roots of unity. The nth roots of unity are complex numbers that, when raised to the power n, equal 1

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