Arithmetic with Complex Numbers
Lesson Features »
Lesson Priority: Normal
Objectives
- Add and subtract complex numbers by focusing on like terms
- Multiply complex numbers using FOIL and simplify final answer to be one complex number
We will combine what we know about arithmetic with imaginary numbers with what we know about binomial arithmetic to understand the proper way to add, subtract, and multiply complex numbers, including simplifying the final result.
Practice problems and worksheet coming soon!
Same Arithmetic, New Numbers
Performing arithmetic with numbers of the form $a+bi$ is intuitive, and overall very in tune with the skills we have up to this point. While we won't spend a lot of time using this skill, we will need to be able to do it any time we need it.This short lesson will get you up to speed with addition, subtraction, and multiplication of complex numbers. Due to similarities with how we rationalize complex denominators » we will cover division in the next lesson.Addition and Subtraction
Simply said, when you need to add or subtract complex numbers, combine like terms - referring to each the real and imaginary parts. For example,$$[4 - 3i] + [2 + 5i]$$$$= 6 + 2i$$The only common "attention to detail" mistake is that when you subtract a complex number, you need to treat it the same way you do when you subtract a binomial. For example,$$[2+i] - [-7 + 4i]$$$$=2 + i +7 -4i$$$$=9-3i$$similar to how$$(2+x) - (-7+4x) = 9-3x$$Pro Tip
Adding and subtracting complex numbers should look a lot like adding variable expressions and binomials. In fact, when it comes to arithmetic with complex numbers in general, your best bet is to think of it as such.Complex Multiplication
Multiplying complex numbers will still look familiar to skills we have from working with variables and binomials, but it will have an extra step thanks to the definition of $i$.Start off a complex number multiplication task with our ol' pal FOIL »:$$(4+9i)(3-7i)$$$$=12 -28i + 27i -63i^2$$Each term comes directly from the FOIL binomial multiplication process. However, we cannot simply combine the "$i$" terms and call it a day. We are required to do one more step, and recognize the fact that $i^2$ is really equal to $-1$. To see why this is true, recall that we typically define $i$ as$$i = \sqrt{-1}$$so that$$i^2 = -1$$Keeping that in mind, our problem becomes$$=12 -28i + 27i -63i^2$$$$\longrightarrow 12 -28i + 27i +63$$$$\longrightarrow 75 - i$$Put It To Test
Perform the indicated arithmetic for each problem.Show solution
$\blacktriangleright$ Add the real parts and imaginary parts each together.$$3 + 4 -2i + 8i$$$$=7 + 6i$$
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$\blacktriangleright$ Same deal, just be careful that the real and imaginary parts aren't always in the "standard" order.$$-7 -1 +4i -6i$$$$-8 -2i$$
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$\blacktriangleright$ Take care with subtraction - remember to treat the situation as if you are subtracting a binomial.$$\longrightarrow -3i - 2 - 2i + 2$$$$0 -5i = -5i$$
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$$\blacktriangleright \,\, 6 + 4 + 3i$$$$10 + 3i$$
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$\blacktriangleright$ Even though the order is not "standard" $a+bi$, the best thing to do is just go for the FOIL right off the bat and clean up after. Remember that $i^2$ becomes $-1$.$$(5+3i)(-2i-3)$$$$-10i-15-6i^2-9i$$$$-10i-15+6-9i$$$$-9-19i$$
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$\blacktriangleright$ Again, just FOIL and clean.$$10-16i-10i+16i^2$$$$10-16i-10i-16$$$$-6 -26i$$
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$\blacktriangleright$ Since you can't really "FOIL" this one, just stick to my high level advice to treat $i$ like a variable, multiply, and clean up if you have any $i^2$ in the result.$$12i + 12i^2$$$$12i-12 \longrightarrow -12+12i$$
Lesson Takeaways:- Understand addition and subtraction of complex numbers as the combination of like terms - real numbers and imaginary numbers each
- Multiply complex numbers using the FOIL method, again thinking of complex numbers as binomials
- Simplify multiplication of complex numbers by turning any $i^2$ terms into real numbers
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