Is this a complex number at the second quadrant?

In summary: The right answer is ## \pi - \arctan(1/2) \approx 2.64 \;\mbox{radians}##.In summary, the conversation discusses the argument of a complex number and its principal value. The speaker raises a question about whether the argument of ##w## is unique and which complex number has a principal argument of ##\pi + \arctan(2)##. The conversation also touches on the use of intervals to restrict the argument and the speaker's personal opinion on the matter. In the end, it is established that the argument of ##w=(-2 + i)## is actually ## \pi - \arctan(1/2) \approx 2
  • #1
mcastillo356
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TL;DR Summary
I am quite sure, but I don't manage with Geogebra. It involves the value of the ##\arg(w)## in the interval ##-\pi<\theta\leq{\pi}##, called the principal argument of ##w## and denote it ##\mbox{Arg(w)}##
Hi, PF, so long, I have a naive question: is ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## a complex number at the second quadrant? To define a single-valued function, the principal argument of ##w## (denoted ##\mbox{Arg (w)}## is unique. This is because it is sometimes convenient to restric ##\theta=\arg{(w)}## to an interval of length ##2\pi##, say the interval ##0\leq{\theta}<2\pi##, or ##-\pi<\theta\leq{\pi}##. This last one is which I am concerned with.
PS: I post without preview :frown:
Regards!
 
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  • #2
mcastillo356 said:
Hi, PF, so long, I have a naive question: is ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## a complex number at the second quadrant?
No, it is a real number about equal to 4.25.
 
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  • #3
Hi, PF

If ##a<0## and ##b>0##, are we at the second quadrant, therefore ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}##?.
If so, ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## should fall at the second one. I'm quite sure of it. But then, which is the complex number that has ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## as the principal value of the argument?

My attempt: ##w=-2+i##. But here comes the problem: ##\displaystyle\frac{1}{-2}\neq{2}##, so the statement ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}## must be false. The question is that is a true statement. The solution is, in my personal opinion, that the moduli ##|-2+i|=\sqrt{5}##, and the ##\mbox{Arg}## ought to be, ##\pi+\arctan{-2}##.

Regards!
 
  • #4
mcastillo356 said:
If ##a<0## and ##b>0##, are we at the second quadrant, therefore ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}##?
Yes.

mcastillo356 said:
If so, ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## should fall at the second one. I'm quite sure of it.
No. If ##a<0## and ##b>0## then ## \frac b a \ne 2 ##.

mcastillo356 said:
But then, which is the complex number that has ##\pi+\arctan{(2)}## as the principal value of the argument?
As already discussed ##\pi+\arctan{(2)} \approx 4.25##. Is this between ## -\pi \text{ and } \pi ##?

mcastillo356 said:
My attempt: ##w=-2+i##. But here comes the problem: ##\displaystyle\frac{1}{-2}\neq{2}##, so the statement ##\arg{(a+bi)}=\pi+\arctan{(b/a)}## must be false. The question is that is a true statement. The solution is, in my personal opinion, that the moduli ##|-2+i|=\sqrt{5}##, and the ##\mbox{Arg}## ought to be, ##\pi+\arctan{-2}##.
I don't really understand any of that, but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
 
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  • #5
pbuk said:
No. If ##a<0## and ##b>0## then ## \frac b a \ne 2 ##.
Oops!
pbuk said:
As already discussed ##\pi+\arctan{(2)} \approx 4.25##. Is this between ## -\pi \text{ and } \pi ##?
Not at all
pbuk said:
I don't really understand any of that, but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
Need to revisit my background in complex numbers. Thanks for your attention, hope we will keep in touch. Regards!
 
  • #6
pbuk said:
I don't really understand any of that, but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
Understood. Let's see if my drawing agrees with your quote. ##\pi-\arctan\frac 1 2 ##, could be ##\mbox{Arg}## of ##w=(-2+i)##, ##\pi## counterclockwise, and ##\arctan \frac 1 2## clockwise?
geogebra-export (4).png
I don`t manage with ##\pi+\arctan(-2)##. I've tried with a Casio fx-82MS, pretending to switch polar to rectangular coordinates: I won't bore the forums with my effort; I just declare that my attempt is ##\pi+\arctan(-2)=-0.1\mbox{radians}##.
I post with no preview
Regards!
PS: Edited. Reason: Mistake when describing the Geogebra file.
 
Last edited:
  • #7
pbuk said:
I don't really understand any of that,
Neither me; how many days have I taken? :smile:
pbuk said:
but ## \arg(-2 + i) = \pi - \arctan \frac 1 2 ##.
Thank you very much!
Greetings.
 
  • #8
Hi, PF, write to say how misled was I when saying that the ##\mbox{Arg}## corresponding to ##w=(-2 +i)## was ##\pi + \arctan(-2)=-60.29\;\mbox{degrees}##. Actually placing ##w## at the fourth quadrant :oldlaugh:
 

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