D.
Complex Numbers
A complex number is the sum of a real number and an imaginary number. A
complex number is expressed in standard form when written a + bi where a is
the real part and b is the imaginary part and i2 = -1.
A number such as 6i, which has real part 0, is called a pure imaginary
number. A real number like –7 can be thought of as a complex number with
imaginary part 0.
Expressing an Imaginary Number in Standard Form
1. Write √−𝑎 as √𝑎 √−1.
2. Express √−1 as i.
3. Write √−𝑎 • i in simplest form.
Example:
Express √−4 in standard form.
Solution:
√−4 = √4 √−1 Using Properties of nth Roots
= 2i i2 = -1
= 0 + 2i A number such as 2i, which has real part 0, is
called a pure imaginary number.
I. Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
Just as with real numbers, we can perform arithmetic operations on
complex numbers. To add or subtract complex numbers, we combine the
real parts and then combine the imaginary parts.
Adding complex numbers:
(a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i
Subtracting complex numbers:
(a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i
II. Multiplying Complex Numbers
Multiplying a Complex Number by a Real Number
Example:
Multiplying complex numbers is much like
multiplying binomials. We distribute the real
number just as we would with a binomial.
Multiplying Complex Numbers Together.
(a + bi )(c + di) = ac + (ad + bc)i + bdi2
2
= ac + (ad + bc)i + bd(–1) i = –1
= (ac – bd) + (ad + bc)i
Example:
(3 + 5i)(4 – 2i) = 3(4) + [3(–2) + 5(4)]i + 5(-2)i2
= 12 + 14i + (-10) (-1)
= 12 + 14i + 10
= 22 + 14i
III. Dividing Complex Numbers
Division of complex numbers is much like rationalizing the denominator of
a radical expression. For the complex number z = a + bi we define its
complex conjugate to be z = a – bi.
Note that
z z = (a + bi)(a – bi) = a2 + b2
So the product of a complex number and its conjugate is always a
nonnegative real number.
Given two complex numbers, divide one by the other.
1. Write the division problem as a fraction.
2. Determine the complex conjugate of the denominator.
3. Multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction by the
complex conjugate of the denominator.
4. Simplify.
Example:
1. Express the following in the form a + bi.
3 + 5𝑖
1 − 2𝑖
Solution:
The complex
conjugate of
1 – 2i is 1 + 2i:
IV. Simplifying Powers of i
The powers of i are cyclic. Let’s look at what happens when we raise i to
increasing powers.
i1=i
i 2 = −1
i 3 = i 2 ⋅ i = −1 ⋅ i = −i
i 4 = i 3 ⋅ i = −i ⋅ i = −i2 = − (−1) = 1
i5=i4⋅i=1⋅i=i
Example:
Evaluate: i23
Solution:
i23 = i22 + 1 = ( i2)11i
= (–1)11i
= (–1)i
= –i
