GRE Subject Test: Math : Imaginary Numbers & Complex Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Operations On Complex Numbers

What is the value: ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Step 1: Recall the cycle of imaginary numbers to a random power .

If , then 

If , then 

If , then 

If , then 

If , then 

and so on....

The cycle repeats every  terms. 

For ANY number , you can break down that term into smaller elementary powers of i. 

Step 2: Distribute the  to all terms in the parentheses:

.

Step 3: Recall the rules for exponents:

Step 4: Use the rules to rewrite the expression in Step 2:

Step 5: Simplify the results in Step 4. Use the rules in Step 1.:

Step 6: Write the answer in  form, where  is the real part and  is the imaginary part:

We get 

Example Question #2 : Operations On Complex Numbers

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When adding complex numbers, we add the real numbers and add the imaginary numbers. 

 

 

Example Question #3 : Operations On Complex Numbers

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to subtract complex numbers, we must first distribute the negative sign to the second complex number. 

 

Example Question #1 : Operations On Complex Numbers

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we must distribute

 

 

 

Example Question #11 : Operations On Complex Numbers

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #12 : Operations On Complex Numbers

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Now we put each of these together and combine like terms: 

Example Question #21 : Imaginary Numbers & Complex Functions

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take i (the square root of -1) out of both radicals then divide.

Example Question #81 : Classifying Algebraic Functions

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take out i (the square root of -1) from both radicals and then multiply. You are not allowed to first multiply the radicals and then simplify because the roots are negative.

Make i squared -1

Example Question #91 : Algebra

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, take out i (the square root of -1) from both radicals and then multiply. You are not allowed to first multiply the radicals and then simplify because the roots are negative.

Change i squared to -1

Example Question #21 : Imaginary Numbers & Complex Functions

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take i (the square root of -1) out of the radical.

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