College Algebra : Complex Numbers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for College Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Complex Numbers

Consider the following definitions of imaginary numbers:

\(\displaystyle x = 4 - 2i\)

\(\displaystyle y = 6 +7i\)

\(\displaystyle z = 5i\)

Then, \(\displaystyle x+y-2z = ?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5(2-i)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(5+i)\)

\(\displaystyle 10-i\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle -5i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 5(2-i)\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x + y-2z = (4-2i) + (6+7i) -2(5i) = 10 - 5i = 5(2-i)\)

Example Question #4684 : Algebra Ii

What is the value of \(\displaystyle (3 + i)(4 + i)\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 12 + 8i\)

\(\displaystyle 11 + 7i\)

\(\displaystyle 18\)

\(\displaystyle 12 + 6i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 11 + 7i\)

Explanation:

When dealing with imaginary numbers, we multiply by foiling as we do with binomials. When we do this we get the expression below: 

\(\displaystyle (3+i)(4+i)= 12 + 3i + 4i + i^2\)

Since we know that \(\displaystyle i^2 = -1\) we get \(\displaystyle 12 + 7i - 1\) which gives us \(\displaystyle 11 + 7i\)

Example Question #2 : Complex Numbers

What is the value of \(\displaystyle i^4\) ? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3i\)

\(\displaystyle i\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle -i\)

\(\displaystyle i + 1\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Explanation:

Recall that the definition of imaginary numbers gives that \(\displaystyle i = \sqrt{-1}\) and thus that \(\displaystyle i^2 = -1\). Therefore, we can use Exponent Rules to write \(\displaystyle i^4 = i^2 \cdot i^2 = -1\cdot-1 = 1\)

Example Question #1 : Complex Numbers

Add:

\(\displaystyle (2-3i)+(-1-2i)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1-5i\)

\(\displaystyle 5-3i\)

\(\displaystyle 5+3i\)

\(\displaystyle 1+5i\)

\(\displaystyle -1+5i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1-5i\)

Explanation:

When adding complex numbers, add the real parts and the imaginary parts separately to get another complex number in standard form.

Adding the real parts gives \(\displaystyle 2-1=1\), and adding the imaginary parts gives \(\displaystyle -5i\).

 

Example Question #4686 : Algebra Ii

Divide: \(\displaystyle \frac{2-i}{3+2i}\)

The answer must be in standard form.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}i\)

\(\displaystyle i\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5i}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}-\frac{1}{2}i\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{13}-\frac{7i}{13}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{13}-\frac{7i}{13}\)

Explanation:

Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator which is \(\displaystyle 3-2i\) which results in

\(\displaystyle \frac{\left ( 2-i \right )\left ( 3-2i \right )}{\left ( 3+2i \right )\left ( 3-2i \right )}\)

The numerator after simplification give us \(\displaystyle 6-4i-3i+2i^{2}=6-7i+2i^{2}=4-7i\)

The denominator is equal to \(\displaystyle 3^{2}-4i^{2}=9+4=13\)

Hence, the final answer in standard form =

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{13}-\frac{7i}{13}\)

Example Question #72 : Imaginary Numbers

Divide: \(\displaystyle \frac{2+3i}{i}\)

Answer must be in standard form.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 13\)

\(\displaystyle 3+2i\)

\(\displaystyle 2i-3\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 3-2i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3-2i\)

Explanation:

Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator which is \(\displaystyle -i\) resulting in

\(\displaystyle \frac{\left ( 2+3i \right )\left ( -i \right )}{\left ( i \right )\left ( -i \right )}\)

This is equal to \(\displaystyle \frac{-2i-{3i}^2}{-i^2}\)

Since \(\displaystyle i^2 = -1\) you can make that substitution of \(\displaystyle -1\) in place of \(\displaystyle i^2\) in both numerator and denominator, leaving:

 

\(\displaystyle \frac{-2i-3(-1)}{-(-1)}\)

When you then cancel the negatives in both numerator and denominator (remember that \(\displaystyle -(-1)=1\), simplifying each term), you're left with a denominator of \(\displaystyle 1\) and a numerator of \(\displaystyle -2i + 3\), which equals \(\displaystyle 3-2i\).

Example Question #2 : Complex Numbers

Evaluate:  \(\displaystyle i(1+i)(2-i)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -1+3i\)

\(\displaystyle 1+3 i\)

\(\displaystyle -1-3i\)

\(\displaystyle -3+i\)

\(\displaystyle 1-3i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -1+3i\)

Explanation:

Use the FOIL method to simplify. FOIL means to mulitply the first terms together, then multiply the outer terms together, then multiply the inner terms togethers, and lastly, mulitply the last terms together.

\(\displaystyle i(1+i)(2-i)\)

\(\displaystyle =i[(1)(2)+(1)(-i)+(i)(2)+(i)(-i)]\)

\(\displaystyle =i[2-i+2i-i^2]\)

\(\displaystyle =i[2+i-i^2]\)

\(\displaystyle =2i+i^2-i^3\)

The imaginary \(\displaystyle i\) is equal to:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{-1}\)

Write the terms for \(\displaystyle i, i^2, \textup{and } i^3\).

\(\displaystyle i=\sqrt{-1}\)

\(\displaystyle i^2=-1\)

\(\displaystyle i^3=i \times i^2=-\sqrt{-1}=-i\)

Replace \(\displaystyle i^2 \textup{ and } i^3\) with the appropiate values and simplify.

\(\displaystyle 2i+i^2-i^3= 2i-1-(-i) = -1+3i\)

Example Question #3 : Complex Numbers

\(\displaystyle (3+2i)+4-i-i(7+i)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 7(1-i)\)

\(\displaystyle 7-6i\)

\(\displaystyle 8-6i\)

The answer is not present.

\(\displaystyle -i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8-6i\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle (3+2i)+4-i-i(7+i)\)

Combine like terms:

\(\displaystyle 7+i-i(7+i)\)

Distribute:

\(\displaystyle 7+i-7i-i^2\)

Combine like terms:

\(\displaystyle 7+i-7i-(-1)\)

\(\displaystyle \mathbf{8-6i}\)

Example Question #73 : Imaginary Numbers

Rationalize the complex fraction: \(\displaystyle \frac{2+i}{3-i}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1-i}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5+i}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5+5i}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1+i}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7+5i}{10}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1+i}{2}\)

Explanation:

To rationalize a complex fraction, multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator.

\(\displaystyle \frac{(2+i)(3+i)}{(3-i)(3+i)}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6+3i+2i+i^2}{9-3i+3i-i^2}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5+5i}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1+i}{2}\)

Example Question #4 : Complex Numbers

Multiply: \(\displaystyle (3+i)(5-4i)\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 19-7i\)

\(\displaystyle 15-11i\)

\(\displaystyle 15-3i\)

\(\displaystyle 19+17i\)

\(\displaystyle 11-7i\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 19-7i\)

Explanation:

Use FOIL to multiply the two binomials.

Recall that FOIL stands for Firsts, Outers, Inners, and Lasts.

\(\displaystyle (3+i)(5-4i)\)

\(\displaystyle 15+5i-12i-4i^2\)

Remember that \(\displaystyle i^2=-1\)

\(\displaystyle 15-7i+4\)

\(\displaystyle 19-7i\)

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