Definition of Complex Numbers
A complex number z is a number of the form
z = a + b i
where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit defined by
a is called the real part of z and b is the imaginary part of z.
Note that the set R of all real numbers is a subset of the complex number C since any real number may be considered as having the imaginary part equal to zero..
Complex Conjugate
The conjugate of a complex number a + b i is a complex number equal to
a - b i
Examples: Find the conjugate of the following complex numbers.
a) 2 - i , b) -3 + 4i , c) 5 , d) -5i
Solution to above example
a) 2 + i , b) -3 - 4i , c) 5 , d) 5i
Use calculator below to generate complex conjugate of any complex number.
Applet to generate complex conjugate : enter your complex number and press enter
Addition of Complex Numbers
Addition of two complex numbers a + b i and c + d i is defined as follows.
(a + b i) + (c + d i) = (a + c) + (b + d) i
This is similar to grouping like terms: real parts are added to real parts and imaginary parts are added to imaginary parts.
Example: Express in the form of a complex number a + b i.
- (2 + 3i) + (-4 + 5i)
- (3i) + (-5 + 6i)
- (2) + (-2 + 9i)
Solution to above example.
- (2 + 3i) + (-4 + 5i) = (2 - 4) + (3 + 5) i = - 2 + 8 i
- (3i) + (-5 + 6i) = (0 - 5) + (3 + 6) i = -5 + 9 i
- (2) + (-2 + 9i) = (2 - 2) + (9) i = 9i
Addition can be done by grouping like terms.
(2 + 3i) + (-4 + 5i) = 2 + 3 i - 4 + 5 i = -2 + 8 i
Applet that Adds two complex numbers: enter your complex numbers and press enter
Subtraction of Complex Numbers
The subtraction of two complex numbers a + b i and c + d i is defined as follows.
(a + b i) - (c + d i) = (a - b) + (b - d) i
Example: Express in the form of a complex number a + b i.
- (2 - 5i) - (-4 - 5i)
- (-7i) - (-5 - 6i)
- (2) - (2 + 6i)
Solution to above example
- (2 - 5i) - (-4 - 5i) = (2 - (-4)) + (-5 - (-5)) i = 6
- (-7i) - (-5 - 6i) = (0 - (-5)) + (-7 - (-6)) i = 5 - i
- (2) - (2 + 6i) = (2 - 2) - 6 i = -6 i
Note: subtraction can be done as follows:
(a + b i) - (c + d i) = (a + bi) + (- c - d i) and then group like terms
Exapmple:
(2 - 5i) - (-4 - 5i) = 2 - 5 i + 4 + 5 i = 6
Applet that subtract two complex numbers: enter your complex numbers and press enter
Mulyiply Complex Numbers
The multiplication of two complex numbers a + b i and c + d i is defined as follows.
(a + b i)(c + d i) = (a c - b d) + (a d + bc) i
However you do not need to memorize the above definition as the multiplication can be carried out using properties similar to those of the real numbers and the added property i 2 = -1. (see the example below)
Example: Express in the form of a complex number a + b i.
(3 + 2 i)(3 - 3i)
Solution to above example
(3 + 2 i)(3 - 3i)
Using the distributive law, (3 + 2 i)(3 - 3 i) can be written as
(3 + 2 i)(3 - 3 i) = (3 + 2 i)(3) + (3 + 2 i)(-3 i) = 9 + 6 i - 9 i -6 i 2
Group like terms and use i 2 = -1 to simplify (3 + 2 i)(3 - 3 i)
(3 + 2 i)(3 - 3 i) = 15 - 3 i
Applet that multiplies two complex numbers: enter your complex numbers and press enter
Divide two Complex Numbers
We use the multiplication property of complex number and its conjugate to divide two complex numbers.
Example: Express in the form of a complex number a + b i.
We first multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator
[ (8 + 4 i)(1 + i) ]
Multiply and group like terms
[ (8 + 4 i)(1 + i) ] / [ (1 - i)(1 + i) ] =
[ 8 + 4 i + 8 i + 4 i 2 ] / [ 1 - i + i - i 2 ]
= (4 + 12 i ) / (2)
= 2 + 6 i
Applet that divides two complex numbers: enter your complex numbers and press enter
Exercises
- Find the complex conjugate of the following complex numbers
a) 2 + 6 i
b) -8 i
c) 12
- Write the following expressions in the form a + b i
a) (2 - 8 i) + (-6 i)
b) -8 i + (3 - 9 i)
c) 6 - (3 - i)
d) (2 - 3 i)(7 - i)
e) (2 + 2 i) / (2 - 2i)