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Exercise 428Algebra › Complex numbersHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Rotation via multiplication

#rotation#multiplication#geometric

Statement

The point AA has affix 1+i1+i. It is rotated by angle π/3\pi/3 around the origin. Compute the affix of the image point.

Hint

Multiplication by eiπ/3e^{i\pi/3}.

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Solution

Image. A′A' has affix
z′=(1+i)eiπ/3=(1+i)(12+i32).z'=(1+i)e^{i\pi/3}=(1+i)\left(\frac12+i\frac{\sqrt3}{2}\right).

Compute.
z′=12+i32+i2−32=1−32+i1+32.z'=\frac12+i\frac{\sqrt3}{2}+\frac i2-\frac{\sqrt3}{2}=\frac{1-\sqrt3}{2}+i\frac{1+\sqrt3}{2}.

Conclusion. The image has affix 1−32+i1+32\frac{1-\sqrt3}{2}+i\frac{1+\sqrt3}{2}.