Absolute value of a complex number

The absolute value of a complex number a + bi, also called the modulus of a complex number a + bi, is its distance from the origin on the complex number plane.

Absolute value of a complex number

On the complex plane, the complex number a + bi is represented as a point (a, b) and the coordinate of the origin is (0, 0).

Just find the distance between (0,0) and (a,b)

We can use the distance formula to find the absolute value of a complex number.

$$ Distance = \sqrt{(a-0)^{2}+(b-0)^{2}}$$
$$ Distance = \sqrt{(a)^{2}+(b)^{2}}$$
$$ |a + bi| = \sqrt{(a)^{2}+(b)^{2}}$$
Absolute value of a complex number

Two examples showing how to find the absolute value of a complex number.

Find the absolute value of the complex numbers 4 - 3i and 6i.

Notice that 6i = 0 + 6i.

$$ |4 - 3i| = \sqrt{(4)^{2}+(-3)^{2}}$$
$$ |4 - 3i| = \sqrt{16 + 9} = 5 $$
$$ |6i| = \sqrt{(0)^{2}+(6)^{2}}$$
$$ |6i| = \sqrt{0 + 36} = 6 $$

The figure below shows the distance for the complex number 4 - 3i in red and the distance for the complex number 6i in blue.

Absolute value of complex numbers

Take this quiz about the absolute value of a complex number

Recent Articles

  1. How To Find The Factors Of 20: A Simple Way

    Sep 17, 23 09:46 AM

    Positive factors of 20
    There are many ways to find the factors of 20. A simple way is to...

    Read More

  2. The SAT Math Test: How To Be Prepared To Face It And Survive

    Jun 09, 23 12:04 PM

    SAT math
    The SAT Math section is known for being difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. Learn how to be prepared and complete the section with confidence here.

    Read More

Tough algebra word problems

100 Tough Algebra Word Problems.

If you can solve these problems with no help, you must be a genius!

Math quizzes

 Recommended

Math vocabulary quizzes