---
title: "4-point DFT of {2, 1+j, 1−j}"
subject: "Signals and Systems"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_4/signals_and_systems:dft-complex-sequence"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/signals_and_systems/dft-complex-sequence
site: BCT Engineering
---

# 4-point DFT of {2, 1+j, 1−j}

Signals and Systems · Chapter 3: Fourier Transform

- Asked in: 2070 Magh, 4+2 marks
- Video: [Computation of 4 point DFT (Example 2)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzVXaVivwAY) — EnggClasses
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/signals_and_systems/dft-complex-sequence
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/signals_and_systems/chapter-3

## Question

Compute 4-point DFT of a signal x[n] = {2, 1+j, 1−j} and plot its magnitude and phase spectrums.

## Short answer

Zero-pad to length 4: x[n]={2, 1+j, 1−j, 0}. Using W4=−j, X[0]=4, X[1]=2, X[2]=2−2j, X[3]=2j. Magnitudes: 4, 2, 2.83, 2; phases: 0°, 0°, −45°, 90°.

## Answer

The sequence has only 3 samples, so append one zero for a 4-point DFT: $x[n] = \{2,\; 1+j,\; 1-j,\; 0\}$.

**Formula:** $X[k] = \sum_{n=0}^{3}x[n]W_4^{nk}$, with $W_4 = e^{-j\pi/2} = -j$, so $W_4^0=1$, $W_4^1=-j$, $W_4^2=-1$, $W_4^3=j$.

$$
\begin{bmatrix} X[0] \\ X[1] \\ X[2] \\ X[3] \end{bmatrix}
=
\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\ 1 & -j & -1 & j \\ 1 & -1 & 1 & -1 \\ 1 & j & -1 & -j \end{bmatrix}
\begin{bmatrix} 2 \\ 1+j \\ 1-j \\ 0 \end{bmatrix}
$$

**Working:**

$$
\begin{aligned}
X[0] &= 2 + (1+j) + (1-j) + 0 = 4 \\
X[1] &= 2 + (1+j)(-j) + (1-j)(-1) + 0 = 2 + (1 - j) + (-1 + j) = 2 \\
X[2] &= 2 - (1+j) + (1-j) - 0 = 2 - 2j \\
X[3] &= 2 + (1+j)(j) + (1-j)(-1) + 0 = 2 + (-1 + j) + (-1 + j) = 2j
\end{aligned}
$$

**Answer:** $X[k] = \{4,\; 2,\; 2-2j,\; 2j\}$

| $k$ | $X[k]$ | $\lvert X[k]\rvert$ | $\angle X[k]$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $4$ | 4 | $0^\circ$ |
| 1 | $2$ | 2 | $0^\circ$ |
| 2 | $2-2j$ | $2\sqrt2 = 2.83$ | $-45^\circ$ |
| 3 | $2j$ | 2 | $90^\circ$ |

**Spectra (stem plots):**

```text
 |X[k]|
 4 |  |
 3 |  |       |
 2 |  |   |   |   |
 1 |  |   |   |   |
 0 +--+---+---+---+--> k
      0   1   2   3

 phase (degrees)
  90 |              |
  45 |              |
   0 +--o---o---+---+--> k
 -45 |          |
        0   1   2   3
```

(Here $x[n]$ is complex, so $X[3] \ne X^*[1]$; the spectrum has no conjugate symmetry.)

**Check (Parseval):** $\sum|x[n]|^2 = 4 + 2 + 2 + 0 = 8$ and $\frac{1}{4}\sum|X[k]|^2 = \frac{1}{4}(16 + 4 + 8 + 4) = 8$.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How is a 3-sample sequence handled in a 4-point DFT?
   A. Repeat the last sample
   B. Discard one sample
   C. Use a 3-point DFT instead
   D. Append a zero
   Answer: D. The sequence becomes {2, 1+j, 1-j, 0}. (Key point: Zero padding)

2. What is X[0]?
   A. 4
   B. 2
   C. 2+2j
   D. 0
   Answer: A. 2 + (1+j) + (1-j) = 4. (Key point: X[0])

3. What is X[2]?
   A. 2 + 2j
   B. 2 - 2j
   C. 2
   D. -2j
   Answer: B. X[2] = 2 - (1+j) + (1-j) = 2 - 2j. (Key point: X[2])

4. Why is X[3] not the conjugate of X[1]?
   A. The sequence is too short
   B. The DFT is wrong
   C. x[n] is complex, so conjugate symmetry does not apply
   D. N is even
   Answer: C. Only real sequences give X[N-k] = X*[k]. (Key point: Symmetry)

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