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Secondary 6 · Mathematics
Complex numbers · Complex numbers

Operations with Complex Numbers in Binomial Form

Yaritza is programming a game on her cell phone where a character's position is stored as a complex number. To move it, she needs to add, multiply, and even divide those numbers. Do you have to learn brand-new rules? Almost none: you treat $a+bi$ like an ordinary binomial and remember just one extra fact, $i^2=-1$.

Addition and Subtraction: Real Part with Real Part

Step-by-step calculation of a combined addition and subtraction of complex numbers by grouping real and imaginary parts. (3−4i) − (−1+2i) + 5i = (3+1+0) + (−4−2+5)i = 4 − i
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Carry out the following addition and subtraction operations with complex numbers: given $z_1 = 3 - 4i$, $z_2 = -1 + 2i$ and $z_3 = 5i$, calculate the result of the…

Carry out the following addition and subtraction operations with complex numbers: given $z_1 = 3 - 4i$, $z_2 = -1 + 2i$ and $z_3 = 5i$, calculate the result of the expression $z_1 - z_2 + z_3$ in Cartesian form.

Solve
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Given the complex number $z = -7 + 8i$, determine its conjugate $\bar{z}$ and its opposite $-z$. Then, perform the operation $z + \bar{z}$ and check algebraically that…

Given the complex number $z = -7 + 8i$, determine its conjugate $\bar{z}$ and its opposite $-z$. Then, perform the operation $z + \bar{z}$ and check algebraically that the result is a real number.

Solve

Equality and Evaluating Expressions

Two complex numbers are equal if and only if they have the same real part and the same imaginary part. That turns one complex equality into two real equations.

Evaluating a polynomial at a complex number means substituting and operating with the rules in this section.

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Determine the values of the real numbers $x$ and $y$ such that the following equality between complex numbers holds: $(x + 2) + (y - 3)i = 5 + 4i$

Determine the values of the real numbers $x$ and $y$ such that the following equality between complex numbers holds:

$(x + 2) + (y - 3)i = 5 + 4i$

Solve
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Calculate the value of the polynomial $P(z) = z^2 - 4z + 5$ when evaluated at the complex number $z = 2 + i$.

Calculate the value of the polynomial $P(z) = z^2 - 4z + 5$ when evaluated at the complex number $z = 2 + i$.

Solve

Multiplication: Like a Binomial, with $i^2=-1$

Rectangular area diagram that breaks the product (a+bi)(c+di) into four terms, highlighting that bdi² becomes the real number −bd. ac adi bci bdi² = −bd (a+bi)(c+di): the product of the two i's becomes real

Powers of $i$

The powers of $i$ repeat every four: $i^1=i$, $i^2=-1$, $i^3=-i$, $i^4=1$, and then it starts over. To calculate $i^n$, divide $n$ by 4 and keep the remainder $r$: $i^n=i^r$ (with $i^0=1$).

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Multiply the following complex numbers expressed in Cartesian form and simplify the result by grouping the real part and the imaginary part: $(2 + 5i)(-3 + i)$.

Multiply the following complex numbers expressed in Cartesian form and simplify the result by grouping the real part and the imaginary part: $(2 + 5i)(-3 + i)$.

Solve
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Simplify the following powers of the imaginary unit $i$ applying the periodicity of its values: $i^{45}$ $i^{102}$ $i^{2024}$ $i^{-13}$

Simplify the following powers of the imaginary unit $i$ applying the periodicity of its values:

  • $i^{45}$

  • $i^{102}$

  • $i^{2024}$

  • $i^{-13}$

Solve
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In 2D video game development, the position of a character in the plane is represented by the complex number $z = 5 + 2i$. To apply an anticlockwise rotation of…

In 2D video game development, the position of a character in the plane is represented by the complex number $z = 5 + 2i$. To apply an anticlockwise rotation of $90^\circ$ about the origin and, subsequently, a translation defined by the vector $(-1, 3)$, the graphics engine performs the operation $z' = z \times i + (-1 + 3i)$. Calculate the new position $z'$ of the character.

Solve
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Expand and simplify the expression $(1 - i)^4$ working exclusively in Cartesian form. You may use the binomial expansion or apply the properties of powers…

Expand and simplify the expression $(1 - i)^4$ working exclusively in Cartesian form. You may use the binomial expansion or apply the properties of powers $( (1-i)^2 )^2$.

Solve

Division: Multiply by the Conjugate of the Denominator

How do you get rid of the $i$ in the denominator? Just like you rationalize a radical: you multiply the top and bottom by the conjugate so that the bottom becomes a real number.

Step-by-step division of complex numbers by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the divisor. 4−3i 1+2i · 1−2i 1−2i = −2−11i 5 (1+2i)(1−2i) = 1 + 4 = 5, always real
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Perform the following division of complex numbers by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. Express the final result in the form…

Perform the following division of complex numbers by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator. Express the final result in the form $a + bi$:

$\frac{4 - 3i}{1 + 2i}$

Solve
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Determine the value of the real parameter $k$ so that the result of the following quotient is a pure real number (that is, its imaginary part is zero):…

Determine the value of the real parameter $k$ so that the result of the following quotient is a pure real number (that is, its imaginary part is zero):

$\frac{k + 2i}{3 - 4i}$

Solve
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Find the value of the real number $x$ so that the product of the complex numbers $(x - 3i)$ and $(2 + 5i)$ results in a pure imaginary number (that is, with a real part…

Find the value of the real number $x$ so that the product of the complex numbers $(x - 3i)$ and $(2 + 5i)$ results in a pure imaginary number (that is, with a real part equal to zero).

Solve

Modulus of a Complex Number

The modulus of $z=a+bi$ is its distance to the origin in the complex plane. By the Pythagorean theorem:

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In a simplified mathematical model of quantum mechanics, the state of a particle is described by the probability amplitude…

In a simplified mathematical model of quantum mechanics, the state of a particle is described by the probability amplitude $\psi = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}i$. Check whether this state satisfies the normalisation condition, which requires the product of the complex number and its conjugate to be exactly one ($\psi \times \bar{\psi} = 1$).

Solve

Quadratic Equations with Complex Solutions

When the discriminant $b^2-4ac$ is negative, the quadratic formula requires the square root of a negative number. In $\mathbb{R}$ there is no solution, but in $\mathbb{C}$ there is: you take the root using $i$.

Parabola located above the horizontal axis, not crossing it, and its two complex conjugate solutions in the complex plane. the parabola does not cross the x-axis 3+4i 3−4i
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Solve the following quadratic equation in the set of complex numbers $\mathbb{C}$ and express its two solutions: $x^2 + 25 = 0$

Solve the following quadratic equation in the set of complex numbers $\mathbb{C}$ and express its two solutions:

$x^2 + 25 = 0$

Solve
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In dynamical systems control theory, a system is considered stable if all roots of its characteristic polynomial have a negative real part. Given the characteristic…

In dynamical systems control theory, a system is considered stable if all roots of its characteristic polynomial have a negative real part. Given the characteristic equation $z^3 - 4z^2 + 6z - 4 = 0$:

  1. Check by algebraic substitution whether $z_1 = 1 + i$ is a solution to the equation.

  2. Knowing that polynomials with real coefficients have complex conjugate roots, find the other two solutions to the equation.

  3. Conclude whether the described system is stable or unstable.

Solve

Square Root in Binomial Form and Equations with a Complex Unknown

To find $\sqrt{z}$, you write $(x+yi)^2=z$ and equate the real and imaginary parts: you get a system of real equations. The same idea works for equations with $z$ and $\bar z$.

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Find the complex numbers $z = x + yi$ that are square roots of the complex number $-5 + 12i$. To do this, set up the equation $(x + yi)^2 = -5 + 12i$, equate the real…

Find the complex numbers $z = x + yi$ that are square roots of the complex number $-5 + 12i$. To do this, set up the equation $(x + yi)^2 = -5 + 12i$, equate the real parts and the imaginary parts to form a system of non-linear equations, and solve it in $\mathbb{R}$.

Solve
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Find all complex numbers $z$ satisfying the non-linear equation $z^2 + 3\bar{z} = 0$. Consider $z = x + yi$ and solve the resulting system by analysing the different…

Find all complex numbers $z$ satisfying the non-linear equation $z^2 + 3\bar{z} = 0$. Consider $z = x + yi$ and solve the resulting system by analysing the different possible cases for $x$ and $y$.

Solve
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Prove algebraically, defining the complex numbers in Cartesian form as $z = a + bi$ and $w = c + di$, that the conjugate of the product of two complex numbers is…

Prove algebraically, defining the complex numbers in Cartesian form as $z = a + bi$ and $w = c + di$, that the conjugate of the product of two complex numbers is identical to the product of their respective conjugates. That is, prove step by step that $\overline{z \times w} = \overline{z} \times \overline{w}$.

Solve

Combined Expressions, Systems, and Loci

With the previous rules you can solve long expressions (respect the order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction), systems with complex unknowns (substitution or elimination, just like with real numbers), and real-world problems.

Exercise MEDIO-01 uses this same expression with the formula already written: you just have to operate using the rules in this section.

Sum of Powers of $1+i$

A sum $\sum (1+i)^k$ is a geometric progression with ratio $1+i$: $S=\dfrac{r^{n}-1}{r-1}$. To calculate $(1+i)^{10}$, use $(1+i)^2=2i$, so $(1+i)^{10}=(2i)^5=32i$.

Loci in the Complex Plane

Each $z=x+yi$ is a point $(x,y)$. If a condition on $z$ can be written with $x$ and $y$, you get an equation and, with it, a curve: the locus of the points that satisfy the condition.

The most common one is the circle. If you complete the square in $x^2+y^2+Dx+Ey+F=0$ you arrive at $(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2$: center $(h,k)$ and radius $r$.

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In an alternating current electrical circuit, two components are connected in parallel. Their complex impedances are given by $Z_1 = 4 + 3i \ \Omega$ and…

In an alternating current electrical circuit, two components are connected in parallel. Their complex impedances are given by $Z_1 = 4 + 3i \ \Omega$ and $Z_2 = 2 - i \ \Omega$. Calculate the equivalent impedance of the circuit, expressed in Cartesian form, using the physics formula:

$Z_{eq} = \frac{Z_1 \times Z_2}{Z_1 + Z_2}$

Solve
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In the study of ideal fluid flow around a cylindrical obstacle, the complex potential function is given by the expression $W(z) = V \times z + \frac{m}{z}$. Given that…

In the study of ideal fluid flow around a cylindrical obstacle, the complex potential function is given by the expression $W(z) = V \times z + \frac{m}{z}$. Given that the fluid velocity is $V = 2$ and the parameter $m = 8$, evaluate the potential at the point $z = 2 + 2i$. Express the final result $W(2+2i)$ in the form $a + bi$.

Solve
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Perform the combined operations indicated below, respecting the order of operations, and express the final result in Cartesian form:…

Perform the combined operations indicated below, respecting the order of operations, and express the final result in Cartesian form:

$\frac{(3 - i)(1 + 2i)}{2 + i} - (1 - 3i)$

Solve
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Solve the following system of linear equations where the unknowns $z$ and $w$ are complex numbers. Express both solutions in Cartesian form:…

Solve the following system of linear equations where the unknowns $z$ and $w$ are complex numbers. Express both solutions in Cartesian form:

$\begin{cases} (1+i)z - w = 2 + i \\ 2z + (1-i)w = 3 - i \end{cases}$

Solve
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Determine the locus of the affixes of the complex numbers $z = x + yi$ such that the expression $\frac{z - 2}{z + i}$ is a purely imaginary number (that is, with zero…

Determine the locus of the affixes of the complex numbers $z = x + yi$ such that the expression $\frac{z - 2}{z + i}$ is a purely imaginary number (that is, with zero real part and nonzero imaginary part).

  1. a) Obtain the equation of the locus in terms of $x$ and $y$.
  1. b) Identify the curve: state its center and its radius.
  1. c) State which points of that curve must be excluded and why.
Solve
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In a fractal generation algorithm, the position of each new node in the complex plane is calculated from the sum of consecutive powers. Calculate the position of the…

In a fractal generation algorithm, the position of each new node in the complex plane is calculated from the sum of consecutive powers. Calculate the position of the node given by the sum of the first 10 terms of the geometric progression:

$S = \sum_{k=0}^{9} (1+i)^k$

Apply the formula for the sum of terms of a geometric progression and express the final result in Cartesian form.

Solve
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In the study of fractals and the Mandelbrot set, the behavior of the iterative sequence defined by $z_{n+1} = z_n^2 + c$ is analysed, starting from the initial condition…

In the study of fractals and the Mandelbrot set, the behavior of the iterative sequence defined by $z_{n+1} = z_n^2 + c$ is analysed, starting from the initial condition $z_0 = 0$. For the complex constant $c = -1 + i$:

  1. Calculate the terms $z_1$, $z_2$ and $z_3$ working in Cartesian form.

  2. Determine the modulus $|z_3|$ and check whether it exceeds the escape threshold value (that is, whether $|z_3| > 2$).

Solve

Back to the beginning: moving Yaritza's character only requires adding and multiplying pairs $a+bi$ with $i^2=-1$; multiplying by $i$ rotates the point $90^\circ$ and adding a complex number translates it.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section