MATLAB Function Reference

complex - Construct complex data from real and imaginary components

Syntax

c = complex(a,b)

Description

c = complex(a,b) creates a complex output, c, from the two real inputs.

c = a + bi

The output is the same size as the inputs, which must be scalars or equally sized vectors, matrices, or multi-dimensional arrays.

Note   If b is all zeros, c is complex and the value of all its imaginary components is 0. In contrast, the result of the addition a+0i returns a strictly real result.

The following describes when a and b can have different data types, and the resulting data type of the output c:

• If either of a or b has type single, c has type single.

• If either of a or b has an integer data type, the other must have the same integer data type or type scalar double, and c has the same integer data type.

c = complex(a) for real a returns the complex result c with real part a and 0 as the value of all imaginary components. Even though the value of all imaginary components is 0, c is complex and isreal(c) returns false.

The complex function provides a useful substitute for expressions such as

a + i*b   or   a + j*b

in cases when the names "i" and "j" may be used for other variables (and do not equal ), when a and b are not single or double, or when b is all zero.

Example

Create complex uint8 vector from two real uint8 vectors.

a = uint8([1;2;3;4])
b = uint8([2;2;7;7])
c = complex(a,b)
c =
   1.0000 + 2.0000i
   2.0000 + 2.0000i
   3.0000 + 7.0000i
   4.0000 + 7.0000i

See Also

abs, angle, conj, i, imag, isreal, j, real

compass

computer