<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Find the complex conjugate of −3 + 4 i .

−3 −4 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

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.

Dividing complex numbers

Divide: ( 2 + 5 i ) by ( 4 i ) .

We begin by writing the problem as a fraction.

( 2 + 5 i ) ( 4 i )

Then we multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator.

( 2 + 5 i ) ( 4 i ) ( 4 + i ) ( 4 + i )

To multiply two complex numbers, we expand the product as we would with polynomials (using FOIL).

( 2 + 5 i ) ( 4 i ) ( 4 + i ) ( 4 + i ) = 8 + 2 i + 20 i + 5 i 2 16 + 4 i 4 i i 2 = 8 + 2 i + 20 i + 5 ( −1 ) 16 + 4 i 4 i ( −1 ) Because   i 2 = −1. = 3 + 22 i 17 = 3 17 + 22 17 i Separate real and imaginary parts .

Note that this expresses the quotient in standard form.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplifying powers of i

The powers of i are cyclic. Let’s look at what happens when we raise i to increasing powers.

i 1 = i i 2 = −1 i 3 = i 2 i = −1 i = i i 4 = i 3 i = i i = i 2 = ( −1 ) = 1 i 5 = i 4 i = 1 i = i

We can see that when we get to the fifth power of i , it is equal to the first power. As we continue to multiply i by increasing powers, we will see a cycle of four. Let’s examine the next four powers of i .

i 6 = i 5 i = i i = i 2 = −1 i 7 = i 6 i = i 2 i = i 3 = i i 8 = i 7 i = i 3 i = i 4 = 1 i 9 = i 8 i = i 4 i = i 5 = i

The cycle is repeated continuously: i , −1 , i , 1 , every four powers.

Simplifying powers of i

Evaluate: i 35 .

Since i 4 = 1 , we can simplify the problem by factoring out as many factors of i 4 as possible. To do so, first determine how many times 4 goes into 35: 35 = 4 8 + 3.

i 35 = i 4 8 + 3 = i 4 8 i 3 = ( i 4 ) 8 i 3 = 1 8 i 3 = i 3 = i
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Can we write i 35 in other helpful ways?

As we saw in [link] , we reduced i 35 to i 3 by dividing the exponent by 4 and using the remainder to find the simplified form. But perhaps another factorization of i 35 may be more useful. [link] shows some other possible factorizations.

Factorization of i 35 i 34 i i 33 i 2 i 31 i 4 i 19 i 16
Reduced form ( i 2 ) 17 i i 33 ( −1 ) i 31 1 i 19 ( i 4 ) 4
Simplified form ( −1 ) 17 i i 33 i 31 i 19

Each of these will eventually result in the answer we obtained above but may require several more steps than our earlier method.

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with complex numbers.

Key concepts

  • The square root of any negative number can be written as a multiple of i . See [link] .
  • To plot a complex number, we use two number lines, crossed to form the complex plane. The horizontal axis is the real axis, and the vertical axis is the imaginary axis. See [link] .
  • Complex numbers can be added and subtracted by combining the real parts and combining the imaginary parts. See [link] .
  • Complex numbers can be multiplied and divided.
    • To multiply complex numbers, distribute just as with polynomials. See [link] and [link] .
    • To divide complex numbers, multiply both numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator to eliminate the complex number from the denominator. See [link] and [link] .
  • The powers of i are cyclic, repeating every fourth one. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

Explain how to add complex numbers.

Add the real parts together and the imaginary parts together.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

What is the basic principle in multiplication of complex numbers?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Give an example to show that the product of two imaginary numbers is not always imaginary.

Possible answer: i times i equals 1, which is not imaginary.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

What is a characteristic of the plot of a real number in the complex plane?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Algebraic

For the following exercises, evaluate the algebraic expressions.

If y = x 2 + x 4 , evaluate y given x = 2 i .

−8 + 2 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If y = x 3 2 , evaluate y given x = i .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If y = x 2 + 3 x + 5 , evaluate y given x = 2 + i .

14 + 7 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If y = 2 x 2 + x 3 , evaluate y given x = 2 3 i .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If y = x + 1 2 x , evaluate y given x = 5 i .

23 29 + 15 29 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If y = 1 + 2 x x + 3 , evaluate y given x = 4 i .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Graphical

For the following exercises, plot the complex numbers on the complex plane.

Numeric

For the following exercises, perform the indicated operation and express the result as a simplified complex number.

( 3 + 2 i ) + ( 5 3 i )

8 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( −2 4 i ) + ( 1 + 6 i )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( −5 + 3 i ) ( 6 i )

−11 + 4 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( 2 3 i ) ( 3 + 2 i )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( −4 + 4 i ) ( −6 + 9 i )

2 −5 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( 5 2 i ) ( 3 i )

6 + 15 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( −2 + 4 i ) ( 8 )

−16 + 32 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( −1 + 2 i ) ( −2 + 3 i )

−4 −7 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( 4 2 i ) ( 4 + 2 i )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( 3 + 4 i ) ( 3 4 i )

25

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

3 + 4 i 2 i

2 5 + 11 5 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Technology

For the following exercises, use a calculator to help answer the questions.

Evaluate ( 1 + i ) k for k = 4 , 8 , and 12. Predict the value if k = 16.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate ( 1 i ) k for k = 2 , 6 , and 10. Predict the value if k = 14.

128i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Evaluate ( l + i ) k ( l i ) k for k = 4 , 8 , and 12. Predict the value for k = 16.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Show that a solution of x 6 + 1 = 0 is 3 2 + 1 2 i .

( 3 2 + 1 2 i ) 6 = −1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Show that a solution of x 8 −1 = 0 is 2 2 + 2 2 i .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Extensions

For the following exercises, evaluate the expressions, writing the result as a simplified complex number.

( 2 + i ) ( 4 2 i ) ( 1 + i )

5 −5 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( 1 + 3 i ) ( 2 4 i ) ( 1 + 2 i )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

( 3 + i ) 2 ( 1 + 2 i ) 2

−2 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

3 + 2 i 2 + i + ( 4 + 3 i )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

4 + i i + 3 4 i 1 i

9 2 9 2 i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

3 + 2 i 1 + 2 i 2 3 i 3 + i

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

how did you get 1640
Noor Reply
If auger is pair are the roots of equation x2+5x-3=0
Peter Reply
Wayne and Dennis like to ride the bike path from Riverside Park to the beach. Dennis’s speed is seven miles per hour faster than Wayne’s speed, so it takes Wayne 2 hours to ride to the beach while it takes Dennis 1.5 hours for the ride. Find the speed of both bikers.
MATTHEW Reply
420
Sharon
from theory: distance [miles] = speed [mph] × time [hours] info #1 speed_Dennis × 1.5 = speed_Wayne × 2 => speed_Wayne = 0.75 × speed_Dennis (i) info #2 speed_Dennis = speed_Wayne + 7 [mph] (ii) use (i) in (ii) => [...] speed_Dennis = 28 mph speed_Wayne = 21 mph
George
Let W be Wayne's speed in miles per hour and D be Dennis's speed in miles per hour. We know that W + 7 = D and W * 2 = D * 1.5. Substituting the first equation into the second: W * 2 = (W + 7) * 1.5 W * 2 = W * 1.5 + 7 * 1.5 0.5 * W = 7 * 1.5 W = 7 * 3 or 21 W is 21 D = W + 7 D = 21 + 7 D = 28
Salma
Devon is 32 32​​ years older than his son, Milan. The sum of both their ages is 54 54​. Using the variables d d​ and m m​ to represent the ages of Devon and Milan, respectively, write a system of equations to describe this situation. Enter the equations below, separated by a comma.
Aaron Reply
find product (-6m+6) ( 3m²+4m-3)
SIMRAN Reply
-42m²+60m-18
Salma
what is the solution
bill
how did you arrive at this answer?
bill
-24m+3+3mÁ^2
Susan
i really want to learn
Amira
I only got 42 the rest i don't know how to solve it. Please i need help from anyone to help me improve my solving mathematics please
Amira
Hw did u arrive to this answer.
Aphelele
hi
Bajemah
-6m(3mA²+4m-3)+6(3mA²+4m-3) =-18m²A²-24m²+18m+18mA²+24m-18 Rearrange like items -18m²A²-24m²+42m+18A²-18
Salma
complete the table of valuesfor each given equatio then graph. 1.x+2y=3
Jovelyn Reply
x=3-2y
Salma
y=x+3/2
Salma
Hi
Enock
given that (7x-5):(2+4x)=8:7find the value of x
Nandala
3x-12y=18
Kelvin
please why isn't that the 0is in ten thousand place
Grace Reply
please why is it that the 0is in the place of ten thousand
Grace
Send the example to me here and let me see
Stephen
A meditation garden is in the shape of a right triangle, with one leg 7 feet. The length of the hypotenuse is one more than the length of one of the other legs. Find the lengths of the hypotenuse and the other leg
Marry Reply
how far
Abubakar
cool u
Enock
state in which quadrant or on which axis each of the following angles given measure. in standard position would lie 89°
Abegail Reply
hello
BenJay
hi
Method
I am eliacin, I need your help in maths
Rood
how can I help
Sir
hmm can we speak here?
Amoon
however, may I ask you some questions about Algarba?
Amoon
hi
Enock
what the last part of the problem mean?
Roger
The Jones family took a 15 mile canoe ride down the Indian River in three hours. After lunch, the return trip back up the river took five hours. Find the rate, in mph, of the canoe in still water and the rate of the current.
cameron Reply
Shakir works at a computer store. His weekly pay will be either a fixed amount, $925, or $500 plus 12% of his total sales. How much should his total sales be for his variable pay option to exceed the fixed amount of $925.
mahnoor Reply
I'm guessing, but it's somewhere around $4335.00 I think
Lewis
12% of sales will need to exceed 925 - 500, or 425 to exceed fixed amount option. What amount of sales does that equal? 425 ÷ (12÷100) = 3541.67. So the answer is sales greater than 3541.67. Check: Sales = 3542 Commission 12%=425.04 Pay = 500 + 425.04 = 925.04. 925.04 > 925.00
Munster
difference between rational and irrational numbers
Arundhati Reply
When traveling to Great Britain, Bethany exchanged $602 US dollars into £515 British pounds. How many pounds did she receive for each US dollar?
Jakoiya Reply
how to reduced echelon form
Solomon Reply
Jazmine trained for 3 hours on Saturday. She ran 8 miles and then biked 24 miles. Her biking speed is 4 mph faster than her running speed. What is her running speed?
Zack Reply
d=r×t the equation would be 8/r+24/r+4=3 worked out
Sheirtina
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 4

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College algebra' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask