Algebra II : Basic Operations with Complex Numbers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Select the complex conjugate of  .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The complex conjugate of a complex number  is , so the complex conjugate of  is .

Example Question #82 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Evaluate .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To raise  to the power of a negative integer, first raise  to the absolute value of that integer. Therefore, to find , we need to look at 

To raise  to the power of any positive integer, divide the integer by 4 and note the remainder. The correct power is given according to the table below.

Powers of i

, so  can be determined by selecting the power of  corresponding to remainder 2. This is 

Since , and by definition, , it follows that 

.

Example Question #83 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Select the complex conjugate of 

Possible Answers:

 has no complex conjugate.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 can be restated in standard complex number form as

.

The complex conjugate of a complex number  is , so the complex conjugate of  is , which is equal to . Therefore,  is the complex conjugate of .

Example Question #84 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Select the complex conjugate of .

Possible Answers:

9 has no complex conjugate.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 can be restated in standard complex number form as

.

The complex conjugate of a complex number  is , so the complex conjugate of  is , which is also equal to . Therefore,  itself is the complex conjugate of .

Example Question #85 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Select the complex conjugate of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The complex conjugate of a complex number  is , so the complex conjugate of  is .

Example Question #86 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Subtract  from its complex conjugate. What is the result?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The complex conjugate of a complex number  is 

Therefore, the complex conjugate of  is . Subtract the former from the latter:

Collect real parts and imaginary parts:

The real parts cancel out:

Example Question #87 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Evaluate:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to raise  to the power of a negative integer, first raise  to the absolute value of that integer. Therefore, to find , we need to look at 

To raise  to the power of any positive integer, divide the integer by 4 and note the remainder. The correct power is given according to the following table:

 Powers of i

, so  can be determined by selecting the power of  corresponding to remainder 3. This is 

Since , and by definition, , it follows that

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying by , the complex conjugate:

Example Question #88 : Basic Operations With Complex Numbers

Evaluate:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To raise  to the power of any positive integer, divide the integer by 4 and note the remainder. The correct power is given according to the table below.

 Powers of i

, so  can be determined by selecting the power of  corresponding to remainder 0. The corresponding power is 1, so .

Example Question #151 : Imaginary Numbers

Evaluate: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To raise  to the power of any positive integer, divide the integer by 4 and note the remainder. The correct power is given according to the table below.

 Powers of i

, so  can be determined by selecting the power of  corresponding to remainder 1. The correct power is , so .

Example Question #152 : Imaginary Numbers

Evaluate: 

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 refers to the absolute value of a complex number , which can be calculated by evaluating . Setting , the value of this expression is 

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