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Complex Numbers

Digital Lesson

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Definition: Complex Number

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The letter i represents the numbers whose square is –1.

i =

Imaginary unit

If a is a positive real number, then the principal square root of �negative a is the imaginary number i .

= i

Examples:

= i

= 2i

= i

= 6i

The number a is the real part of a + bi, and b is the imaginary part.

A complex number is a number of the form a + bi, where a and�b are real numbers and i = .

i2 = –1

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Examples of Complex Numbers

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Examples of complex numbers:

Real Part

Imaginary Part

a

bi

+

2

7i

+

20

3i

Real Numbers: a + 0i

Imaginary Numbers: 0 + bi

a + bi form

+ i

=

4 + 5i

=

+ i

=

Simplify using the product property of radicals.

Simplify:

= i

= i

= 3i

1.

= i

= 8i

2.

+

3.

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Add or Subtract Complex Numbers

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To add or subtract complex numbers:

1. Write each complex number in the form a + bi.

2. Add or subtract the real parts of the complex numbers.

3. Add or subtract the imaginary parts of the complex numbers.

(a + bi ) + (c + di ) = (a + c) + (b + d )i

(a + bi ) – (c + di ) = (ac) + (bd )i

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Adding Complex Numbers

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Add (10 + ) + (21 – )

= (10 + i ) + (21 – i )

i =

= 31

Group real and imaginary terms.

a + bi form

= (10 + 21) + (ii )

Examples: Add (11 + 5i) + (8 – 2i )

= 19 + 3i

Group real and imaginary terms.

a + bi form

= (11 + 8) + (5i – 2i )

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Subtracting Complex Numbers

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Examples: Subtract: (– 21 + 3i ) – (7 – 9i)

= (– 21 – 7) + [(3 – (– 9)]i

= (– 21 – 7) + (3i + 9i)

= –28 + 12i

Subtract: (11 + ) – (6 + )

= (11 + i ) – (6 + i )

= (11 – 6) + [ – ]i

= (11 – 6) + [ 4 – 3]i

= 5 + i

Group real and �imaginary terms.

Group real and imaginary terms.

a + bi form

a + bi form

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Product of Complex Numbers

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The product of two complex numbers is defined as:

1. Use the FOIL method to find the product.

2. Replace i2 by – 1.

3. Write the answer in the form a + bi.

(a + bi)(c + di ) = (acbd ) + (ad + bc)i

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Examples

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= 5i2

= 5 (–1)

= –5

2. 7i (11– 5i) = 77i – 35i2

= 35 + 77i

3. (2 + 3i)(6 – 7i ) = 12 – 14i + 18i 21i2

= 12 + 4i 21i2

= 12 + 4i 21(–1)

= 12 + 4i + 21

= 33 + 4i

Examples:

1.

= i i

= 5i i

= 77i – 35 ( 1)

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Product of Conjugates

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The complex numbers a + bi and a - bi are called �conjugates.

Example: (5 + 2i)(5 – 2i)

= (52 – 4i2)

= 25 – 4 (–1)

= 29

The product of conjugates is the real number a2 + b2.

(a + bi)(abi) = a2b2i2

= a2b2(– 1)

= a2 + b2

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Dividing Complex Numbers

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Replace i2 by –1 and simplify.

Dividing Complex Numbers

A rational expression, containing one or more complex numbers, �is in simplest form when there are no imaginary numbers remaining in the denominator.

Multiply the expression by .

Write the answer in the form a + bi.

Example:

–1

–1

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Example:� (5 +3i)/(2+i)

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Replace i2 by –1 and simplify.

Multiply the numerator and �denominator by the conjugate of 2 + i.

Write the answer in the forma + bi.

In 2 + i, a = 2 and b = 1. �a2 + b2 = 22 + 12

Simplify:

1