Complex

Numbers
a + bi
 Recall from Math 1010 that we can add, subtract, multiply or divide
complex numbers. After performing these operations if we’ve
simplified everything correctly we should always again get a complex
number (although the real or imaginary parts may be zero). Below is
an example of each to refresh your memory.

Combine real parts and

ADDING (3 – 2i) + (5 – 4i) = 8 – 6i combine imaginary parts

Be sure to distribute the

SUBTRACTING (3 – 2i) - (5 – 4i) negative through before
combining real parts and
3 – 2i - 5 + 4i = -2 +2i imaginary parts

FOIL and then combine like

MULTIPLYING (3 – 2i) (5 – 4i) terms. Remember i 2 = -1

= 15 – 12i – 10i+8i2 Notice when I’m done

=15 – 22i +8(-1) = 7 – 22i
simplifying that I only have two
terms, a real term and an
imaginary one. If I have more
than that, I need to simplify
more.
 15 + 12 i − 10 i
3 − 2i 5 + 4i = 15 + 12i − 10i − 8i− 8( − 21)
DIVIDING
⋅ =
FOIL 5 − 4i 5 + 4i 25 + 20 i − 20i − 16
25 + 20i − 20i − 16i ( −21)

Combine like terms

i = −1
2

Recall that to divide complex numbers, you multiply

the top and bottom of the fraction by the conjugate of
the bottom.

23 + 2i 23 2 This means the same

= = + i complex number, but
41 41 41 with opposite sign on
the imaginary term
We’ll put the 41 under
each term so we can
see the real part and
the imaginary part
 Let’s solve a couple of equations that have complex
solutions to refresh our memories of how it works.

x + 25 = 0
2
x = ± − 25
2 Square root and
don’t forget the ±
-25 -25 The negative
x = ± 25 i = ±5 i under the square
root becomes i

Use the
x − 6 x + 13 = 0
2
− b ± b 2 − 4ac
quadratic
formula
x=
2a
− ( − 6) ± ( − 6) − 4(1)(13)
2
6 ± 36 − 52
x= =
2(1) 2
6 ± − 16 6 ± 16 i 6±4i
= = = = 3 ± 2i
2 2 2