• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

What does the least principal argument mean? (1 Viewer)

Run hard@thehsc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Messages
784
Gender
Male
HSC
2022
When referring to the roots of complex number, does the least principal argument refer to the root with the smallest argument? @CM_Tutor
 

5uckerberg

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
562
Gender
Male
HSC
2018
That is what is the case because when you have the term principle argument what it means is that we are only focusing on one cycle and everything else is just a duplicate so in this case, we are focusing on . Reminds me of improper fractions. Anything greater than 1 or -1 in fraction form is an improper fraction.
 

5uckerberg

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
562
Gender
Male
HSC
2018
Oh ok @5uckerberg I kinda get it. Is it possible to give me an example? Thanks!
In complex numbers you have but with the principal argument anything greater than is just a repeat so for the principal argument it becomes . A very helpful technique when they ask for the principal argument is to think of the school principal and as such you follow their rules which means no duplicates.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top