Complex Coordinate Plane
How to graph a complex number on the complex coordinate plane: definition, 2 examples, and their solutions.
Definition
Definition
The complex coordinate plane has
the x-axis and the yi-axis.
x-axis: Real number axis
yi-axis: Imaginary number axis
A complex number a + bi
is on the complex coordinate plane
at (a, bi).
Coordinate Plane
Example 1
Example
Solution
The given number is 4 + 3i.
The real number part is 4.
So start from the origin.
And move 4 units to the right.
The imaginary number part is +3i.
So move 3 units upward.
This is the point (4, 3i).
Example 2
Example
Solution
The given number is -5i.
The real number part is 0.
So start from the origin.
And don't move
either to the left or to the right.
The imaginary number part is -5i.
So move 5 units downward.
This is the point (0, -5i).