Complex roots of polynomials and their computation with the help of Scientific Calculators

Abstract

Real numbers are something which are associated with the practical life. This number system is one dimensional. Situations arise when the real numbers fail to provide a solution. Perhaps the Italian mathematician Gerolamo Cardano is the first known mathematician who pointed out the necessity of imaginary and complex numbers. Complex numbers are now a vital part of sciences and are used in various branches of engineering, technology, electromagnetism, quantum theory, chaos theory etc. A complex number constitutes a real number along with an imaginary number that lies on the quadrature axis and gives an additional dimension to the number system. Therefore any computation based on complex numbers, is usually complex because both the real and imaginary parts of the number are to be simultaneously dealt with. Modern scientific calculators are capable of performing on a wide range of functions on complex numbers in their COMP and CMPLX modes with an equal ease as with the real numbers. In this work, the use of scientific calculators (Casio brand) for efficient determination of complex roots of various types of equations is discussed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v9i0.7148 BIBECHANA 9 (2013) 18-27