i have this complex number
$\sqrt x/2 + \sqrt x/2 i$
i am trying to convert it to polar form. I know that $r = \sqrt (x^2 + y^2)$ but what are the x and y, $1/2$ ?
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$\begingroup$ Is the $i$ in the numerator or denominator? $\endgroup$ – graydad Jan 14 '15 at 20:24
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$\begingroup$ @graydad numerator $\endgroup$ – Giannis Foulidis Jan 14 '15 at 20:26
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$\begingroup$ @GiannisFoulidis Then use parentheses to make clear your intention. $\endgroup$ – Timbuc Jan 14 '15 at 20:40
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First, $$\frac{\sqrt x}{2} + \frac{i\sqrt x}{2} = \frac{\sqrt x}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}+\frac{i\sqrt{2}}{2} \right)$$Now recall that the cartesian coordinate $\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2},\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)$ is the polar coordinate $(1,\pi/4)$ and hence $$\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}+\frac{i\sqrt{2}}{2}=e^{i\pi/4} \\ \implies \frac{\sqrt x}{\sqrt{2}}\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}+\frac{i\sqrt{2}}{2} \right) = \frac{\sqrt x}{\sqrt{2}}e^{i\pi/4}$$
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The $x$ is $\sqrt{x}/2$, and the $y$ is $\sqrt{x}/2$ as well.
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2$\begingroup$ Two different things with the same variable, ugh ... $\endgroup$ – Zubin Mukerjee Jan 14 '15 at 20:24
