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# Absolute Value of Complex Numbers

Complex numbers are in the form of $$a+bi$$, Where $$i$$ is the Imaginary Unit, defined as the square root of minus 1.

Absolute Value is often viewed as the "distance" a number is away from 0, the origin. In the domain of Real Numbers, This is just the positive of that number, so the absolute value of -5 will be 5 and the absolute value of 5 will also be 5.

When it comes to the absolute value of Complex Numbers, we have to consider the Complex Plane. The Complex Plane is similar to the xy-Coordinate Plane, only instead of the x and y axis you have the real and imaginary axis. The Number $$3+4i$$ will have coordinates (3,4) on the complex plane.

How will we find the distance a number is from 0 on the complex plane? We can use the Pythagorean Theorem! The Absolute Value of a complex number is defined as:

$|a+bi| = \sqrt{a^2 +b^2}$

For Example, the Absolute Value of the complex number $$3+4i$$ is equal to:

$|3+4i| = \sqrt{3^2 +4^2} = 5$

Note by Yan Yau Cheng
3 years, 7 months ago

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Also, note that the "absolute value" of a complex number is also called the "magnitude." I myself tend to use magnitude for non-real numbers, and absolute value for real numbers. · 3 years, 7 months ago

@Yan Yau Cheng Can you add this to the Wiki page of Complex Numbers - Absolute Values? Thanks! Staff · 2 years, 9 months ago