MIT differential equation---6

polar representation of complex number

a + bi = rcosx+irsinx

Euler 

e^(i theta) = cos(theta) + i sin(theta) . it's a definition rather than a formula 

Why do we want a formula like e^at

1(exponential law ...a^x a^y = a^(x+y))

2.the derivative of this is the same as what you start with

dy/dt = ay. Let y(0) = 0 and this function y=e^at is the only function in the world that satisfies this property

But hold on there. How can we differentiate y=e^(i theta)? Think a function as a black box(abstraction in math), the input theta is a real number but the thing coming out of the box is a complex number

Now we introduce complex-value function of a real value t. Then the function can be written as u(t) + i v(t) 

3.infinite series should look nice and work out

alpha = re^(i theta)

r is the modulus of alpha and theta is called the argument of alpha(abbreviated as arg(alpha))

advantage of polar form

Good for multiplication

Geometric understanding of complex number multiplication

let's see an example. nV''''1.   In real domain, there's only one solution which is, clearly, 1. However, in complex domain, there will be n solutions. What are they?

Well, think of the euler equation and complex number multiplication. The complex number multiplication is to shift the angle on complex axis by an angle of [2PI / n]. (that's very interesting!)

This equation can also help us do integration. $e^-x cosxdx. We learned to use integration by parts for this integral. Now let's think of it as the real part of e^-x e^(i theta). The integral will simply be the real part of this guy.