Exercise · ZW-POLAR-FORM-009 · ★★★ Advanced

Why is the polar form defined only for \(z\neq0\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. Because for \(z=0\) the modulus is \(0\) and any \(\theta\) works: the argument is undetermined

Explanation

With \(r=0\) the expression \(r(\cos\theta+i\sin\theta)\) gives \(0\) for every \(\theta\). By contrast \(|0|=0\) is well defined.

Study Complex analysis in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Polar form

The polar form of a complex number \(z\neq0\) expresses it with its modulus \(r\) and an argument \(\theta\), an angle that \(z\) makes with the positive real axis.

\[z=r(\cos\theta+i\sin\theta),\qquad r=|z|\]

More practice problems: polar form

← ZW-POLAR-FORM-008 ZW-POLAR-FORM-010 →