Prove sqrt(a^2+b^2)e^(iarctan(b/a))=a+bi?

sqrt(a^2+b^2)e^(iarctan(b/a))=a+bi

1 Answer
Feb 22, 2018

In Explanation

Explanation:

On a normal coordinate plane, we have coordinate like (1,2) and (3,4) and stuff like that. We can reexpress these coordinates n terms of radii and angles. So if we have the point (a,b) that means we go units to the right, b units up and sqrt(a^2+b^2) as the distance between the origin and the point (a,b). I will call sqrt(a^2 + b^2) = r

So we have re^arctan(b/a)
Now to finish this proof off let's recall a formula.
e^(itheta) = cos(theta) + isin(theta)
The function of arc tan gives me an angle which is also theta.
So we have the following equation:
e^i*arctan(b/a) = cos(arctan(b/a))+sin(arctan(b/a))

Now lets draw a right triangle.
The arctan of (b/a) tells me that b is the opposite side and a is the adjacent side. So if I want the cos of the arctan(b/a), we use the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse is sqrt(a^2+b^2). So the cos(arctan(b/a)) = adjacent over hypotenuse = a/sqrt(a^2+b^2).

The best part about this is the fact that this same principle applies to sine. So sin(arctan(b/a)) = opposite over hypotenuse = b/sqrt(a^2+b^2).

So now we can re-express our answer as this: r*((a/sqrt(a^2+b^2))+(bi/sqrt(a^2+b^2))).

But remember r = sqrt(a^2 +b^2) so now we have: r *((a/r)+(bi/r)). The r's cancel, and you are left with the following: a+bi

Therefore, (re^((arctan(b/a))))=a+bi