COMPLEX NUMBERS

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Definition:

The imaginary number i is defined by i2 = -1 or i = √-1. In other words, i is the square root of -1.

Definition:

The set of complex numbers is the set of all numbers of the form a + bi, where a and b are real
numbers.

If b = 0, then a + bi is a real number. Otherwise a+bi is an imaginary number.

Example:

Calculate √

Solution:

√ =√ =√ √ = 4i
Addition and Subtraction of Complex Numbers

Example
Simplify the following

(-2+3i) + (-4-9i)

Solution

(-2+3i) + (-4-9i)

= -2-4+3i-9i.......................................................group like terms

= -6 – 6i............................................................add real numbers, add imaginary numbers

Example
Simplify the following

(-1-5i) – (3-2i)

Solution

(-1-5i) – (3-2i)

= -1-5i-3+2i............................................expand brackets

= -1-3-5i+2i............................................group similar numbers

= -4 – 3i.....................................................add real numbers, add imaginary numbers

Multiplication of Complex Numbers

Example

Simplify the following

(5-2i)(5-2i)

Solution

(5-2i)(5-2i)

= 25-10i-10i+4i2

= 25-20i+4(-1)..........................................recall that i2 = -1

= 25-20i – 4..............................................group like terms

= 25-4-20i

= 21-20i
Division of Complex Numbers

The complex numbers a + bi and a – bi are called complex conjugates of each other.

If a and b are real numbers then

(a + bi) (a – bi)

= a2 + abi – abi – bi2

= a2 + abi – abi – b2(-1)

= a2 + b2

In other words, the product of a+bi and its conjugate a-bi is the real number a2 + b2.

Example

Write in the form a + bi.

Solution
Main Idea

If two complex numbers are equal then the two real parts are equal and the two imaginary parts
are equal. For instance if a + bi = c + di, then a= c and b=d.

Example

Final all real pairs x and y such that (x + 2i)(y + 3i) = -4 + 7i

Solution

(x + 2i)(y + 3i)

= xy + 3xi + 2yi + 6i2

= xy + 3xi + 2yi – 6

= (xy – 6) + (3x + 2y)i

Since (x + 2i)(y + 3i) = -4 + 7i , we have (xy – 6) + (3x + 2y)i = -4+7i

Equating the real parts, we get EQN 1 xy – 6 = -4

Equating the imaginary parts, we get EQN 2 3x + 2y = 7

We can solve simultaneously.

From EQN 2, y = (7-3x)/2

Substituting for y in EQN 1 we obtain

x[(7-3x)/2] - 6 = -4

Multiplying each term by 2, we have

x[(7-3x)] - 12 = -8

7x – 3x2 – 12 = -8

7x – 3x2 – 12 + 8 = 0

7x – 3x2 – 4 = 0

– 3x2 + 7x – 4 = 0

3x2 – 7x + 4= 0

(3x - 4)(x - 1) = 0

x =4/3 or x = 1

When x = 4/3, y = 3/2. When x = 1, y = 2.

Example

Let f(x) = 2x3 + 4x2 – x – 5.

Find

i) the real factors of f(x).

ii) all zeros

Solution

Test a few values.

Eg. Let x = 1. Then f(1) = 2 + 4 – 1 – 5 = 6 – 6 = 0.

Since f(1) = 0, then x – 1 is a zero or solution of x.

Using synthetic division, we get f(x) = (x – 1)(2x2 + 6x + 5)

Using quadratic formula, the solution of 2x2 + 6x + 5= 0,

x = {-6 +/-SQRT(36 – 40)}/(2)(2) = {-6 +/- √-4 )}/4 = (-6 +/- 2i )/4 = -3/2 +/- 1/2i

i) There is only one real factor of f(x); that is (x – 1)

ii) The zeros of f(x) are x = 1 or x = -3/2 + 1/2i, x = -3/2 - 1/2i