Activity Overview
In this TI InterActive!™ activity, students explore the graphical and numerical representations of the powers of a complex number.
Before the Activity
Install the TI InterActive!™ on the computer. Print pages from the attached file for the class or distribute the TII file if students will be working in the software.
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Explore a few powers of complex numbers numerically and decide if there is a pattern
Use parametric equations to represent a complex number graphically
Using De Moivre's theorem, represent the roots of the complex number graphically
Write the real and imaginary parts of the complex number
Determine the angle of the complex number from the Argand diagram
After the Activity
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary