Mechatronics Technology  ·  Level 6
Engineering Mathematics III
Chapter 3: Apply calculus
📚 3 Topics
⚑ What you will be able to do

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  • confidently determine the derivatives of different functions.
  • accurately apply differentiation methods to solve a variety of problems.
  • correctly calculate integrals of functions to the required standard.
  • effectively use integration techniques to solve problems step-by-step.

These skills will help you solve real-world engineering problems with confidence and precision, making you a valuable asset in your trade.

Apply calculus to complex geometry is essential for Mechatronics Technology professionals in Kenya, where analysis of electrical signals, control systems, and robotics requires understanding complex numbers and their properties. This chapter develops skills in manipulating complex numbers through their real and imaginary parts, graphical representation on Argand diagrams, and calculations involving modulus, argument, and conjugates. Mastery of these concepts enables precise modeling of system behaviors and signal processing critical in mechatronic design and troubleshooting.

3.1 Complex geometry

Complex geometry forms the foundation for representing and manipulating complex numbers in engineering problems. In mechatronics, complex numbers model alternating currents, impedance in circuits, and system dynamics where phase and magnitude are crucial. This section covers key aspects of complex numbers: their real and imaginary parts, graphical representation, modulus, argument, and conjugates, all essential for advanced calculus applications.

3.1.1 Real part

The real part of a complex number is its projection onto the real axis in the complex plane. It represents the horizontal coordinate of the complex number and is essential in separating the measurable physical quantities from the imaginary components in engineering applications.

A complex number \( z \) is generally written as

$$ z = x + iy $$

where \( x \) is the real part and \( y \) is the imaginary part.

$$ \text{Real part of } z = \Re(z) = x $$

Worked Examples

Example 1: Find the real part of the complex number \( z = 5 + 3i \).

Given: \( z = 5 + 3i \)

$$ \Re(z) = 5 $$

Answer: 5

Example 2: Determine the real part of \( z = -7 + 4i \).

Given: \( z = -7 + 4i \)

$$ \Re(z) = -7 $$

Answer: -7

Example 3: Find the real part of \( z = 0 + 6i \).

Given: \( z = 0 + 6i \)

$$ \Re(z) = 0 $$

Answer: 0

Example 4: Determine the real part of \( z = -3.5 - 2.1i \).

Given: \( z = -3.5 - 2.1i \)

$$ \Re(z) = -3.5 $$

Answer: -3.5

Example 5: Find the real part of \( z = 12 \).

Given: \( z = 12 + 0i \)

$$ \Re(z) = 12 $$

Answer: 12

3.1.2 Imaginary part

The imaginary part of a complex number is its projection onto the imaginary axis, representing the vertical coordinate in the complex plane. It captures the component of the number multiplied by the imaginary unit \( i \), which is essential when analyzing phase shifts or oscillatory behavior in mechatronics.

Given \( z = x + iy \), the imaginary part is

$$ \Im(z) = y $$

Worked Examples

Example 1: Find the imaginary part of \( z = 5 + 3i \).

Given: \( z = 5 + 3i \)

$$ \Im(z) = 3 $$

Answer: 3

Example 2: Determine the imaginary part of \( z = -7 + 4i \).

Given: \( z = -7 + 4i \)

$$ \Im(z) = 4 $$

Answer: 4

Example 3: Find the imaginary part of \( z = 6i \).

Given: \( z = 0 + 6i \)

$$ \Im(z) = 6 $$

Answer: 6

Example 4: Determine the imaginary part of \( z = -3.5 - 2.1i \).

Given: \( z = -3.5 - 2.1i \)

$$ \Im(z) = -2.1 $$

Answer: -2.1

Example 5: Find the imaginary part of \( z = 12 \).

Given: \( z = 12 + 0i \)

$$ \Im(z) = 0 $$

Answer: 0

3.1.3 Argand diagram

The Argand diagram is a graphical representation of complex numbers as points or vectors in the complex plane. The horizontal axis represents the real part, and the vertical axis represents the imaginary part. This visualization aids in understanding operations such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication of complex numbers relevant in signal processing and control system phase analysis.

A complex number \( z = x + iy \) is plotted as the point \( (x, y) \).

Worked Examples

Example 1: Plot \( z = 3 + 4i \) on an Argand diagram and find its coordinates.

Given: \( z = 3 + 4i \)

Coordinates: \( (3, 4) \)

Answer: Point at (3, 4) on the Argand diagram

Example 2: Plot \( z = -2 + 5i \) and state its position.

Given: \( z = -2 + 5i \)

Coordinates: \( (-2, 5) \)

Answer: Point at (-2, 5) on the Argand diagram

Example 3: Represent \( z = -4 - 3i \) graphically.

Given: \( z = -4 - 3i \)

Coordinates: \( (-4, -3) \)

Answer: Point at (-4, -3) on the Argand diagram

Example 4: Locate \( z = 0 + 7i \) on the Argand diagram.

Given: \( z = 0 + 7i \)

Coordinates: \( (0, 7) \)

Answer: Point at (0, 7) on the Argand diagram

Example 5: Plot \( z = 5 + 0i \) and determine its location.

Given: \( z = 5 + 0i \)

Coordinates: \( (5, 0) \)

Answer: Point at (5, 0) on the Argand diagram

3.1.4 Modulus/magnitude

The modulus or magnitude of a complex number measures its distance from the origin in the Argand diagram. It is important in mechatronics for quantifying signal amplitudes, impedance magnitudes, and system gains.

For \( z = x + iy \), the modulus is

$$ |z| = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} $$

Worked Examples

Example 1: Calculate the modulus of \( z = 3 + 4i \).

Given: \( z = 3 + 4i \)

$$ |z| = \sqrt{3^2 + 4^2} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{9 + 16} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{25} $$

$$ |z| = 5 $$

Answer: 5

Example 2: Find the modulus of \( z = -5 + 12i \).

Given: \( z = -5 + 12i \)

$$ |z| = \sqrt{(-5)^2 + 12^2} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{25 + 144} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{169} $$

$$ |z| = 13 $$

Answer: 13

Example 3: Determine the modulus of \( z = 7 - 24i \).

Given: \( z = 7 - 24i \)

$$ |z| = \sqrt{7^2 + (-24)^2} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{49 + 576} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{625} $$

$$ |z| = 25 $$

Answer: 25

Example 4: Calculate the modulus of \( z = -8 - 15i \).

Given: \( z = -8 - 15i \)

$$ |z| = \sqrt{(-8)^2 + (-15)^2} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{64 + 225} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{289} $$

$$ |z| = 17 $$

Answer: 17

Example 5: Find the modulus of \( z = 0 + 9i \).

Given: \( z = 0 + 9i \)

$$ |z| = \sqrt{0^2 + 9^2} $$

$$ |z| = \sqrt{81} $$

$$ |z| = 9 $$

Answer: 9

3.1.5 Argument / angle

The argument or angle of a complex number is the angle it makes with the positive real axis in the Argand diagram. It is crucial in mechatronics for phase angle determination in AC circuits and signal modulation.

For \( z = x + iy \), the argument \( \theta \) is given by

$$ \theta = \tan^{-1} (\frac{y}{x}) $$

The angle is usually expressed in radians or degrees.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Find the argument of \( z = 1 + \sqrt{3}i \).

Given: \( z = 1 + \sqrt{3}i \)

$$ \theta = \tan^{-1} (\frac{\sqrt{3}}{1}) $$

$$ \theta = \tan^{-1} (\sqrt{3}) $$

$$ \theta = 60^\circ $$

Answer: 60 degrees

Example 2: Calculate the argument of \( z = -1 + \sqrt{3}i \).

Given: \( z = -1 + \sqrt{3}i \)

Since \( x < 0 \), the angle lies in the second quadrant:

$$ \theta = 180^\circ - \tan^{-1} (\frac{\sqrt{3}}{1}) $$

$$ \theta = 180^\circ - 60^\circ $$

$$ \theta = 120^\circ $$

Answer: 120 degrees

Example 3: Determine the argument of \( z = -1 - \sqrt{3}i \).

Given: \( z = -1 - \sqrt{3}i \)

Since \( x < 0, y < 0 \), angle lies in the third quadrant:

$$ \theta = 180^\circ + \tan^{-1} (\frac{\sqrt{3}}{1}) $$

$$ \theta = 180^\circ + 60^\circ $$

$$ \theta = 240^\circ $$

Answer: 240 degrees

Example 4: Find the argument of \( z = 1 - \sqrt{3}i \).

Given: \( z = 1 - \sqrt{3}i \)

Since \( x > 0, y < 0 \), angle in the fourth quadrant:

$$ \theta = 360^\circ - \tan^{-1} (\frac{\sqrt{3}}{1}) $$

$$ \theta = 360^\circ - 60^\circ $$

$$ \theta = 300^\circ $$

Answer: 300 degrees

Example 5: Calculate the argument of \( z = 0 + 2i \).

Given: \( z = 0 + 2i \)

Angle lies on positive imaginary axis:

$$ \theta = 90^\circ $$

Answer: 90 degrees

3.1.6 Conjugate

The conjugate of a complex number reverses the sign of the imaginary part. It is used in simplifying division of complex numbers and in calculating magnitudes and real parts of complex expressions relevant in mechatronic circuit analysis.

For \( z = x + iy \), the conjugate is

$$ \overline{z} = x, iy $$

Worked Examples

Example 1: Find the conjugate of \( z = 4 + 3i \).

Given: \( z = 4 + 3i \)

$$ \overline{z} = 4 - 3i $$

Answer: 4 - 3i

Example 2: Determine the conjugate of \( z = -2 + 5i \).

Given: \( z = -2 + 5i \)

$$ \overline{z} = -2 - 5i $$

Answer: -2 - 5i

Example 3: Find the conjugate of \( z = 6i \).

Given: \( z = 0 + 6i \)

$$ \overline{z} = 0 - 6i $$

Answer: -6i

Example 4: Calculate the conjugate of \( z = -3 - 7i \).

Given: \( z = -3 - 7i \)

$$ \overline{z} = -3 + 7i $$

Answer: -3 + 7i

Example 5: Find the conjugate of \( z = 9 \).

Given: \( z = 9 + 0i \)

$$ \overline{z} = 9 - 0i = 9 $$

Answer: 9

Practice Questions

  1. Find the real and imaginary parts of \( z = -8 + 15i \) (4 marks)
  2. Plot the complex number \( z = 2 - 3i \) on an Argand diagram and state its coordinates (4 marks)
  3. Calculate the modulus of \( z = -7 + 24i \) (5 marks)
  4. Determine the argument of \( z = -4 - 4i \) in degrees (5 marks)
  5. Find the conjugate of \( z = 5 - 12i \) (3 marks)
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🔒3.2 Operations

In Mechatronics Technology, calculus operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and conversions of derivatives and integrals are fundamental in analyzing sensor signals, actuator responses, and control system dynamics. Accurate manipul…

🔒3.3 De Moivre's theorem

In Mechatronics Technology, working with alternating current circuits, signal processing, and control systems often involves complex numbers. De Moivre's theorem provides a powerful method to raise complex numbers to powers and extract roots, which is essentia…

Chapter Summary

This chapter focused on complex geometry by exploring the real and imaginary parts of complex numbers and representing them on the Argand diagram. The concepts of modulus and argument were introduced to describe the magnitude and angle of complex numbers, along with the use of conjugates for simplification. Various operations involving complex numbers were covered, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as conversions between polar and rectangular forms. The chapter then applied De Moivre's theorem for expanding complex numbers raised to powers and finding their roots. Additionally, trigonometric identities were derived using complex number techniques, demonstrating the powerful connection between algebra and geometry in engineering mathematics. These topics provide essential tools for solving advanced problems involving complex numbers in engineering contexts.

Self-Assessment

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Written Assessment

  1. Find the real part of the complex number \( z = 5 + 3i \). (1 mark)
  2. Determine the imaginary part of \( z = -7 + 4i \). (1 mark)
🔒18 more in this section.

Chapter Examination Questions

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SECTION A (40 Marks) - Answer ALL Questions

  1. A Mechatronics engineer at Kenya Railways models a signal processing circuit using the complex number \( z = 3 + 4i \). Find the real part of \( z \). (4 marks)
  2. Determine the imaginary part of the complex number \( z = -5 + 7i \) used in a robotic arm control system. (4 marks)
🔒18 more in this section.
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Am I competent?

At the start of this chapter we promised you would be able to:

  • confidently determine the derivatives of different functions.
  • accurately apply differentiation methods to solve a variety of problems.
  • correctly calculate integrals of functions to the required standard.
  • effectively use integration techniques to solve problems step-by-step.

Tick each one you can genuinely do.

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