Questions on Complex Numbers

Questions on complex numbers are presented along with answers. Each solution is hidden inside a collapsible dropdown so you can practice independently before reviewing the detailed step-by-step explanations.

Practice Questions with Solutions

Question 1

Add and express in the form of a complex number \( a + bi \) the expression:

\[ \dfrac{(2 + 3i) + (-4 + 5i) - (9 - 3i)}{3} \]
View Solution

Combine the real parts and the imaginary parts in the numerator:

  • Real parts: \( 2 + (-4) - 9 = -11 \)
  • Imaginary parts: \( 3i + 5i - (-3i) = 3i + 5i + 3i = 11i \)

Substitute back into the expression and divide by \( 3 \):

\[ \dfrac{-11 + 11i}{3} = -\dfrac{11}{3} + \dfrac{11}{3}i \]

Question 2

Multiply and express in the form of a complex number \( a + bi \) the expression:

\[ (-5 + 3i)(-4 + 8i) \]
View Solution

Expand using the distributive law (FOIL method):

\[ (-5)(-4) + (-5)(8i) + (3i)(-4) + (3i)(8i) \] \[ = 20 - 40i - 12i + 24i^2 \]

Substitute \( i^2 = -1 \) and combine like terms:

\[ = 20 - 52i + 24(-1) = 20 - 24 - 52i = -4 - 52i \]

Question 3

Divide and express in the form of a complex number \( a + bi \) the expression:

\[ \dfrac{-1 - 2i}{-4 + 3i} \]
View Solution

Multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator (\(-4 - 3i\)):

\[ \dfrac{(-1 - 2i)(-4 - 3i)}{(-4 + 3i)(-4 - 3i)} \]

Expand the denominator: \((-4)^2 - (3i)^2 = 16 - 9(-1) = 25\).

Expand the numerator:

\[ (-1)(-4) + (-1)(-3i) + (-2i)(-4) + (-2i)(-3i) = 4 + 3i + 8i + 6i^2 = 4 + 11i + 6(-1) = -2 + 11i \]

Divide by the denominator:

\[ \dfrac{-2 + 11i}{25} = -\dfrac{2}{25} + \dfrac{11}{25}i \]

Question 4

Find the complex conjugate of:

\[ 1 + 8i \]
View Solution

The conjugate of a complex number \( a + bi \) is \( a - bi \). Changing the sign of the imaginary part gives:

\[ 1 - 8i \]

Question 5

Express in the form of a complex number \( a + bi \):

\[ \dfrac{(-5 - i)(-7 + 8i)}{2 - 4i} \]
View Solution

First, expand the numerator:

\[ (-5)(-7) + (-5)(8i) + (-i)(-7) + (-i)(8i) = 35 - 40i + 7i - 8i^2 = 35 - 33i - 8(-1) = 43 - 33i \]

Now divide by \( 2 - 4i \) by multiplying numerator and denominator by the conjugate \( 2 + 4i \):

\[ \dfrac{(43 - 33i)(2 + 4i)}{(2 - 4i)(2 + 4i)} = \dfrac{86 + 172i - 66i - 132i^2}{2^2 - (4i)^2} \] \[ = \dfrac{86 + 132 + 106i}{4 + 16} = \dfrac{218 + 106i}{20} = \dfrac{109}{10} + \dfrac{53}{10}i \]

Question 6

Express in the form of a complex number \( a + bi \):

\[ -(7 - i)(-4 - 2i)(2 - i) \]
View Solution

Multiply the first two terms and distribute the negative sign:

\[ (7 - i)(-4 - 2i) = -28 - 14i + 4i + 2i^2 = -28 - 10i - 2 = -30 - 10i \]

Negate this result:

\[ -(-30 - 10i) = 30 + 10i \]

Multiply by the final factor \( (2 - i) \):

\[ (30 + 10i)(2 - i) = 60 - 30i + 20i - 10i^2 = 60 - 10i - 10(-1) = 70 - 10i \]

Question 7

Express in the form of a complex number \( a + bi \):

\[ \dfrac{i}{1 - i} \]
View Solution

Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate \( 1 + i \):

\[ \dfrac{i(1 + i)}{(1 - i)(1 + i)} = \dfrac{i + i^2}{1^2 - i^2} = \dfrac{i - 1}{1 - (-1)} = \dfrac{-1 + i}{2} = -\dfrac{1}{2} + \dfrac{1}{2}i \]

Question 8

Solve for real \( x \) and \( y \) the equation:

\[ 2y + ix = 4 + x - i \]
View Solution

Equate the real parts and the imaginary parts from both sides:

  • Real parts: \( 2y = 4 + x \)
  • Imaginary parts: \( x = -1 \)

Substitute \( x = -1 \) into the real equation:

\[ 2y = 4 + (-1) \implies 2y = 3 \implies y = \dfrac{3}{2} \]

Solution: \( x = -1, y = \dfrac{3}{2} \)

Question 9

Find \( a \) and \( b \), where \( a \) and \( b \) are real numbers so that:

\[ a + ib = (2 - i)^2 \]
View Solution

Expand the right side:

\[ (2 - i)^2 = 2^2 - 2(2)(i) + i^2 = 4 - 4i - 1 = 3 - 4i \]

Equating real and imaginary parts yields \( a = 3 \) and \( b = -4 \).

Question 10

Find the complex conjugate of:

\[ -3i \]
View Solution

Rewriting \(-3i\) in standard form as \(0 - 3i\), its complex conjugate is obtained by changing the sign of the imaginary part:

\[ 0 + 3i = 3i \]

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