Using complex numbers, Complex results – Texas Instruments TI-86 User Manual

Page 82

Chapter 4: Constants, Conversions, Bases, and Complex Numbers

04CCCB.DOC TI-86, Chap 4, US English Bob Fedorisko Revised: 02/13/01 2:20 PM Printed: 02/13/01 3:01 PM Page 70 of 16

Using Complex Numbers

A complex number has two components: real (a) and imaginary (+bi). On the TI

-86, you

enter the complex number a+bi as:

♦

(

real

imaginary

)

in rectangular form

♦

(

magnitude

angle

)

in polar form

You can enter a complex number in rectangular or polar form, regardless of the current
complex number mode setting. The separator (

) determines the form.

♦

To enter rectangular form, separate real and imaginary with a comma (P).

♦

To enter polar form, separate magnitude and angle with an angle symbol (- ).

Each component (real, imaginary, magnitude, or angle) can be a real number or an
expression that evaluates to a real number; expressions are evaluated when you press b.

When

RectC

complex number mode is set, complex

numbers are displayed in rectangular form, regardless of
the form in which you enter them (as shown to the right).

When

PolarC

complex number mode is set, complex

numbers are displayed in polar form, regardless of the
form in which you enter them (as shown to the right).

Complex Results

Complex numbers in results, including list, matrix, and vector elements, are displayed in
the form (rectangular or polar) specified by the mode setting (Chapter 1) or by a display
conversion instruction (page 61).

♦

When

Radian

angle mode is set, results are displayed as

(

magnitude

angle

)

♦

When

Degree

angle mode is set, results are displayed as

(

real

imaginary

)

Variable names with complex
numbers stored to them are
listed on the VARS CPLX
screen (Chapter 2).

Lists, matrices, and vectors
can have complex elements.

The graph format settings
RectGC

and PolarGC

(Chapter 5) determine the
complex number form of
graph screen coordinates.