Imaginary part

In mathematics, the imaginary part of a complex number z, is the second element of the ordered pair of real numbers representing z, i.e. if z = (x,y), or equivalently, z = x + iy, then the imaginary part of z is y. It is denoted by Imz or \Im z. The complex function which maps z to the imaginary part of z is not holomorphic.

In terms of the complex conjugate \bar{z}, the imaginary part of z is equal to \frac{z-\bar{z}}{2\mathrm{i}}.

For a complex number in polar form, z = (r,θ), or equivalently, z = r(cosθ + isinθ), it follows from Euler's formula that z = re, and hence that the imaginary part of re is rsinθ.

See also

See also: Imaginary part, Complex conjugate, Complex function, Complex number, Euler's formula, Holomorphic, Imaginary number, Mathematics, Polar coordinates, Real number