SAT Math : Complex Numbers

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : How To Add Complex Numbers

Evaluate: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A power of  can be evaluated by dividing the exponent by 4 and noting the remainder. The power is determined according to the following table:

, so 

, so 

, so 

, so 

Substituting: 

Example Question #11 : Complex Numbers

For which of the following values of  is the value of  least?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

   is the same as  , which means that the bigger the answer to  is, the smaller the fraction will be.

Therefore,  is the correct answer because 

.

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Complex Numbers

Define an operation  so that for any two complex numbers  and :

Evaluate .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, so

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying both numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the latter, which is :

 

Example Question #602 : Algebra

Define an operation  such that, for any complex number 

If , then evaluate .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, so

, so

, and

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying both numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the latter, which is :

Example Question #3 : How To Divide Complex Numbers

Define an operation  as follows:

For any two complex numbers  and ,

Evaluate .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, so

We can simplify each expression separately by rationalizing the denominators.

 

 

Therefore, 

Example Question #11 : Complex Numbers

Define an operation  so that for any two complex numbers  and :

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, so

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying both numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the latter, which is :

Example Question #2381 : Sat Mathematics

Define an operation  such that for any complex number ,

If , evaluate .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First substitute our variable N in where ever there is an a.

Thus, , becomes .

Since , substitute:

In order to solve for the variable we will need to isolate the variable on one side with all other constants on the other side. To do this, apply the oppisite operation to the function.

First subtract i from both sides.

Now divide by 2i on both sides.

From here multiply the numerator and denominator by i to further solve.

Recall that  by definition. Therefore,

.

 

Example Question #11 : Complex Numbers

Let . What is the following equivalent to, in terms of :

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solve for x first in terms of y, and plug back into the equation.

Then go back to the equation you are solving for:

 substitute in

Example Question #11 : Complex Numbers

Simplify the expression by rationalizing the denominator, and write the result in standard form: 

Possible Answers:


Correct answer:

Explanation:

Multiply both numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator, which is :

Example Question #12 : Complex Numbers

Find the product of (3 + 4i)(4 - 3i) given that i is the square root of negative one.

Possible Answers:
24 + 7i
7 + i
24
0
12 - 12i
Correct answer: 24 + 7i
Explanation:

Distribute (3 + 4i)(4 - 3i)

3(4) + 3(-3i) + 4i(4) + 4i(-3i)

12 - 9i + 16i -12i2

12 + 7i - 12(-1)

12 + 7i + 12

24 + 7i

 

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