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Imaginary part

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Any complex number z can be written in the form z = a + bi where i = \sqrt{-1} is the imaginary unit and a and b are real numbers. Then the imaginary part of z, usually denoted \Im (z) or \mathrm{Im} (z), is just the value b. Note in particular that the imaginary part of every complex number is real.

Geometrically, if a complex number is plotted in the complex plane, its imaginary part is its y-coordinate (ordinate).

A complex number z is real exactly when \mathrm{Im}(z) = 0.

The function \mathrm{Im} can also be defined in terms of the complex conjugate \overline z of z: \mathrm{Im}(z) = \frac{z - \overline z}{2i}. (Recall that if z = a + bi, \overline z = a - bi).

Examples

  • \mathrm{Im}(3 + 4i) = 4
  • \mathrm{Im}\left(4\left(\cos \frac \pi6 + i \sin \frac\pi 6\right)\right) = 4 \sin \frac \pi 6 = 2
  • \mathrm{Im}\left(4e^{\frac {\pi i}6}\right) = \mathrm{Im}\left(4\left(\cos \frac \pi6 + i \sin \frac\pi 6\right)\right) = 2

See Also

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