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I searched on this site but I found posts asking for books on complex analysis which I guess is not what I want.

I want a book on problems concerning with roots of unity, argand plane, exponential form, inequalities etc. Some examples : 1, 2, 3.

I don't think these types of problems are covered in a analysis book but I don't know. I think I want a book on algebra of complex numbers.

Are these topics covered in analysis book ? If not, please suggests some books on this topic. I guess my question is bit vague, sorry for that. :).

As suggested in the comments I would like to have books similar to Complex Numbers from A to ...Z.

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    $\begingroup$ This stuff should be found in the first chapter of many complex analysis books aimed at juniors and seniors. Churchill's text is one example, as is Flanigan's. $\endgroup$
    – Sean Roberson
    Jun 22, 2017 at 1:09
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    $\begingroup$ free book with a good section on complex arithmetic: archive.org/details/functionsofacomp029605mbp $\endgroup$
    – JMJ
    Jun 22, 2017 at 1:29
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    $\begingroup$ This is an excellent question. The initial sections of complex analysis books are not the best sources on this as they tend to be too brief. That is where American students are usually acquainted with this material, but it is typical for British students to learn it earlier on because challenging questions on these things have traditionally been a part of entrance exams to Cambridge and Oxford. $\endgroup$
    – user49640
    Jun 22, 2017 at 1:43
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    $\begingroup$ There's a book by Titu Andrescu that might fit, if I remember correctly. $\endgroup$
    – A. Thomas Yerger
    Jun 22, 2017 at 3:56
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    $\begingroup$ See chapter 5 in Elementary Linear Algebra by Keith Matthews. Fairly detailed solutions to all the exercises are given at this web page. Also, see the references I cited in my answer to What are the “real math” connections between Euclidean Geometry and Complex Numbers?. $\endgroup$
    – Dave L. Renfro
    Jun 23, 2017 at 13:39

2 Answers 2

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A distinction needs to be made between purely geometric uses of complex numbers and uses in the theory of equations (polynomials, rational functions, etc.). Obviously, there is a good deal of overlap, but some books deal primarily with one aspect or the other.

  • Parsonson (1971). Pure Mathematics, Vol. 2 (both). The material on complex numbers and equations occupies roughly the first half of the book. Challenging problems, similar to STEP papers or old S-levels.

  • Ferrar (1943). Higher Algebra (both). About 60 pages on geometric/trigonometric applications and 100 on the theory of equations. Problems at or above the difficulty in Parsonson. Not to be confused with the same author's Higher Algebra for Schools.

  • Durell and Robson (1930, 1937). Advanced Algebra, Volume II and Advanced Trigonometry (both). I'm less familiar with these books, but I know they were the standard books on these subjects at higher certificate/scholarship level in England for many years. They can be downloaded here.

  • Hahn (1994). Complex Numbers and Geometry (geometry).

  • Andreescu and Andrica (2005). Complex Numbers from A to... Z (geometry). I don't know the last two books well, but they're recommended at imomath.com. They seem to be mostly about geometry and have little on the theory of equations in comparison with Parsonson and Ferrar. Andreescu and Andrica's book is very focused on using complex numbers to do coordinate geometry (including cases where this results in pages' worth of calculations), and it comes with solutions to the exercises.

  • Colin and Morvan (2011). Nombres complexes, polynômes et fractions rationnelles. After briefly introducing the theory, most of the book is devoted to presenting detailed solutions to exercises on these topics.

  • Gautier, Girard, Gerll, Thiercé, Warusfel (1971). Aleph 0. Algèbre, Terminale CDE: nombres réels, calcul numérique, nombres complexes (both). Most of this book is devoted to geometric and algebraic uses of complex numbers. Similar or slightly lower level to Parsonson, but more detailed treatment.

  • Engel (2009). Komplexe Zahlen und ebene Geometrie. In addition to the basic material, this book discusses the Riemann sphere and gives some computer visualizations in MAPLE.

  • Kretzschmar (2011). Komplexe Zahlen für Dummies. The title speaks for itself! I'm including this title just for fun, as it seems to be aimed at very elementary users such as those in electronics.

The book by Engel gives an analytic proof of the fundamental theorem of algebra. Unfortunately, I don't believe any of the other books proves it.

There is a book by Yaglom called Complex Numbers in Geometry, but it actually discusses topics that are far removed from what one usually thinks of with this title. The book Geometry of Complex Numbers by Schwerdtfeger deals with advanced topics.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you for the this list of books. I will give my feedback after looking at the books whose I can find preview of. I am sure this is more than enough for me. $\endgroup$
    – user8277998
    Jun 22, 2017 at 2:46
  • $\begingroup$ What level are you at, and what do you want to study complex numbers for? $\endgroup$
    – user49640
    Jun 22, 2017 at 2:56
  • $\begingroup$ For the level I know Calculus of one variable and some basic algebra. Complex numbers are in the syllabus given to me for an exam. $\endgroup$
    – user8277998
    Jun 22, 2017 at 3:05
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    $\begingroup$ Looking at the level of the sample questions you linked to, I'd probably recommend Parsonson or the second French book (Gautier et al.). $\endgroup$
    – user49640
    Jun 22, 2017 at 3:12
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    $\begingroup$ Have a look at both and pick the one you prefer. Durell's book is more old-fashioned. For example, it talks about "many-valued functions," which is a concept usually avoided in modern books. I don't know Durell's book well enough to comment on its difficulty. I think the exercises in Parsonson ought to be sufficient for most people. There are occasional references to determinants, which are discussed in Volume 1, but this is infrequent enough that it shouldn't matter. The book was written to cover the whole MEI A-level syllabus (excluding calculus) at that time. $\endgroup$
    – user49640
    Jun 23, 2017 at 1:36
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Books on complex analysis definitely use the topics that you mentioned, but usually assume that the reader is already familiar with some algebra and geometry of complex numbers. The book Visual Complex Analysis by Tristan Needham is a great introduction to complex analysis that does not skip the fundamentals that you mentioned. In particular, the first chapter includes detailed sections on the roots of unity, the geometry of the complex plane, Euler's formula, and a very clear proof of the fundamental theorem of algebra. The exercises for chapter one cover all of those topics and also develop many identities. Needham's book has a friendlier and more inviting tone and structure than any other analysis book that I've read; I loved studying from it in my undergraduate complex analysis course.

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  • $\begingroup$ How are the exercise problems ? Easy or difficult ? $\endgroup$
    – user8277998
    Jun 23, 2017 at 1:15
  • $\begingroup$ @123 The exercises for chapter 1 range from very easy to hard. Chapter 1 has 45 exercises, and about a quarter of them don't require any prerequisites besides the chapter and basic geometry and algebra. The rest of the book assumes you have studied analysis. $\endgroup$
    – M_B
    Jun 23, 2017 at 1:23
  • $\begingroup$ @MichaelBlane I will surely give it a try. $\endgroup$
    – user8277998
    Jun 24, 2017 at 0:58

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