Objectives
Students relate the magnitude of the complex number to the spiral, spiral in or spiral out. Students also explore the angle between successive terms and triangles formed; leading to an understanding of complex numbers in polar form.
Vocabulary
- Magnitude
- Real component
- Imaginary component
- Spiral in or out
About the Lesson
Watch Activity Tutorial
Students start by plotting simple complex numbers raised to a power. Successive powers create a pattern (spiral) under certain conditions. Students explore the spiral, conditions and then partial sums and their spirals.