2.4 Complex numbers

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In this section you will:
• Add and subtract complex numbers.
• Multiply and divide complex numbers.
• Simplify powers of $i$ .

Discovered by Benoit Mandelbrot around 1980, the Mandelbrot Set is one of the most recognizable fractal images. The image is built on the theory of self-similarity and the operation of iteration. Zooming in on a fractal image brings many surprises, particularly in the high level of repetition of detail that appears as magnification increases. The equation that generates this image turns out to be rather simple.

In order to better understand it, we need to become familiar with a new set of numbers. Keep in mind that the study of mathematics continuously builds upon itself. Negative integers, for example, fill a void left by the set of positive integers. The set of rational numbers, in turn, fills a void left by the set of integers. The set of real numbers fills a void left by the set of rational numbers. Not surprisingly, the set of real numbers has voids as well. In this section, we will explore a set of numbers that fills voids in the set of real numbers and find out how to work within it.

Expressing square roots of negative numbers as multiples of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}i$

We know how to find the square root of any positive real number. In a similar way, we can find the square root of any negative number. The difference is that the root is not real. If the value in the radicand is negative, the root is said to be an imaginary number . The imaginary number $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}i\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is defined as the square root of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}-1.$

$\sqrt{-1}=i$

${i}^{2}={\left(\sqrt{-1}\right)}^{2}=-1$

We can write the square root of any negative number as a multiple of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}i.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ Consider the square root of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}-49.$

$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \sqrt{-49}& =& \hfill \sqrt{49\cdot \left(-1\right)}\\ & =& \sqrt{49}\sqrt{-1}\hfill \\ & =& 7i\hfill \end{array}$

We use $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}7i\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and not $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}-7i\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ because the principal root of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}49\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the positive root.

A complex number is the sum of a real number and an imaginary number. A complex number is expressed in standard form when written $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a+bi\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ where $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the real part and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the imaginary part. For example, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}5+2i\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a complex number. So, too, is $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}3+4i\sqrt{3}.$

Imaginary numbers differ from real numbers in that a squared imaginary number produces a negative real number. Recall that when a positive real number is squared, the result is a positive real number and when a negative real number is squared, the result is also a positive real number. Complex numbers consist of real and imaginary numbers.

Imaginary and complex numbers

A complex number    is a number of the form $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a+bi\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ where

• $a\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the real part of the complex number.
• $b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is the imaginary part of the complex number.

If $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b=0,$ then $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a+bi\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a real number. If $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a=0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is not equal to 0, the complex number is called a pure imaginary number. An imaginary number    is an even root of a negative number.

Given an imaginary number, express it in the standard form of a complex number.

1. Write $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\sqrt{-a}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ as $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\sqrt{a}\sqrt{-1}.$
2. Express $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\sqrt{-1}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ as $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}i.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$
3. Write $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\sqrt{a}\cdot i\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ in simplest form.

Expressing an imaginary number in standard form

Express $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\sqrt{-9}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ in standard form.

$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \sqrt{-9}& =& \sqrt{9}\sqrt{-1}\hfill \\ & =& 3i\hfill \end{array}$

In standard form, this is $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}0+3i.$

Express $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\sqrt{-24}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ in standard form.

$\sqrt{-24}=0+2i\sqrt{6}$

Plotting a complex number on the complex plane

We cannot plot complex numbers on a number line as we might real numbers. However, we can still represent them graphically. To represent a complex number, we need to address the two components of the number. We use the complex plane    , which is a coordinate system in which the horizontal axis represents the real component and the vertical axis represents the imaginary component. Complex numbers are the points on the plane, expressed as ordered pairs $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\left(a,b\right),$ where $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ represents the coordinate for the horizontal axis and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ represents the coordinate for the vertical axis.

f(x)=x/x+2 given g(x)=1+2x/1-x show that gf(x)=1+2x/3
proof
AUSTINE
sebd me some questions about anything ill solve for yall
how to solve x²=2x+8 factorization?
x=2x+8 x-2x=2x+8-2x x-2x=8 -x=8 -x/-1=8/-1 x=-8 prove: if x=-8 -8=2(-8)+8 -8=-16+8 -8=-8 (PROVEN)
Manifoldee
x=2x+8
Manifoldee
×=2x-8 minus both sides by 2x
Manifoldee
so, x-2x=2x+8-2x
Manifoldee
then cancel out 2x and -2x, cuz 2x-2x is obviously zero
Manifoldee
so it would be like this: x-2x=8
Manifoldee
then we all know that beside the variable is a number (1): (1)x-2x=8
Manifoldee
so we will going to minus that 1-2=-1
Manifoldee
so it would be -x=8
Manifoldee
so next step is to cancel out negative number beside x so we get positive x
Manifoldee
so by doing it you need to divide both side by -1 so it would be like this: (-1x/-1)=(8/-1)
Manifoldee
so -1/-1=1
Manifoldee
so x=-8
Manifoldee
Manifoldee
so we should prove it
Manifoldee
x=2x+8 x-2x=8 -x=8 x=-8 by mantu from India
mantu
lol i just saw its x²
Manifoldee
x²=2x-8 x²-2x=8 -x²=8 x²=-8 square root(x²)=square root(-8) x=sq. root(-8)
Manifoldee
I mean x²=2x+8 by factorization method
Kristof
I think x=-2 or x=4
Kristof
x= 2x+8 ×=8-2x - 2x + x = 8 - x = 8 both sides divided - 1 -×/-1 = 8/-1 × = - 8 //// from somalia
Mohamed
hii
Amit
how are you
Dorbor
well
Biswajit
can u tell me concepts
Gaurav
Find the possible value of 8.5 using moivre's theorem
which of these functions is not uniformly cintinuous on (0, 1)? sinx
which of these functions is not uniformly continuous on 0,1
solve this equation by completing the square 3x-4x-7=0
X=7
Muustapha
=7
mantu
x=7
mantu
3x-4x-7=0 -x=7 x=-7
Kr
x=-7
mantu
9x-16x-49=0 -7x=49 -x=7 x=7
mantu
what's the formula
Modress
-x=7
Modress
new member
siame
what is trigonometry
deals with circles, angles, and triangles. Usually in the form of Soh cah toa or sine, cosine, and tangent
Thomas
solve for me this equational y=2-x
what are you solving for
Alex
solve x
Rubben
you would move everything to the other side leaving x by itself. subtract 2 and divide -1.
Nikki
then I got x=-2
Rubben
it will b -y+2=x
Alex
goodness. I'm sorry. I will let Alex take the wheel.
Nikki
ouky thanks braa
Rubben
I think he drive me safe
Rubben
how to get 8 trigonometric function of tanA=0.5, given SinA=5/13? Can you help me?m
More example of algebra and trigo
What is Indices
If one side only of a triangle is given is it possible to solve for the unkown two sides?
cool
Rubben
kya
Khushnama
please I need help in maths
Okey tell me, what's your problem is?
Navin