College Algebra : Complex Numbers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for College Algebra

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Example Questions

Example Question #122 : Review And Other Topics

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, you must remember the basic rules for i exponents.

Given the prior, simply plug into the given expression and combine like terms.

Example Question #402 : College Algebra

Given the following quadratic, which values of  will produce a set of complex valued solutions for 

 

 

Possible Answers:

1, 3 and 5 

1, 4, and 5

None of these, all produce real-valued solutions for 

2 and 3 

1 and 3

Correct answer:

1, 3 and 5 

Explanation:

In order to determine if a quadratic equation  will have real-valued or complex-valued solutions compute the discriminate: 

 

If the discriminate is negative, we will have complex-valued solutions. If the discriminate is positive, we will have real-valued solutions. 

This arises from the fact that the quadratic equation has the square-root term, 

 

 

Evaluate the discriminate for 

  

 -79<0 so the quadratic has complex roots for 

 

Evaluate the discriminate for 

The discriminate is positive, therefor the quadratic has real roots for 

 

 

 

 

 

Example Question #13 : Complex Numbers

Evaluate:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that , and .

Each imaginary term can then be factored by using .

Replace the numerical values for each term.

The answer is:  

Example Question #123 : Review And Other Topics

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the negative:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of 2+4i

Example Question #124 : Review And Other Topics

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the sign to the terms in parentheses:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of 10-4i

Example Question #14 : Complex Numbers

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the sign to the terms in parentheses:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of 10+2i

Example Question #15 : Complex Numbers

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the sign to the terms in parentheses:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of 7+18i

Example Question #131 : Review And Other Topics

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the sign to the terms in parentheses:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of 9+2i

Example Question #17 : Complex Numbers

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the sign to the terms in parentheses:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of -1+9i

Example Question #18 : Complex Numbers

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When simplifying expressions with complex numbers, use the same techniques and procedures as normal. 

Distribute the sign to the terms in parentheses:

Combine like terms- combine the real numbers together and the imaginary numbers together:

This gives a final answer of 10-4i

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