complex numbers with exponents

Original Post

Jan 21, 2007 at 12:58 PM

is there a way to calculate for example (1+i)^n without rewriting it to polar form and use de Moivers equation? i find it alot easier to wor with complex numbers as vectors... but alot of calculations requires u to re write them in polar from... is it possible to do math with complex numbers without using polar forms?

Zipster

Jan 21, 2007 at 1:11 PM

If you use the binomial theorem you could work out an expansion, given about midway through this page. But it's really a lot easier to compute using the polar form.

Nomad010

Jan 22, 2007 at 4:13 AM

Well, if it's only (1+i)^n, then it could be faster to write down Pascal's triangle and use the binomial theorem, but polar form is usually more useful than its normal form. Especially if you want to convert to mod-arg form.

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