Chapter 3: Problem 66
Multiply as indicated. Write each product in standard form. $$(\sqrt{2}-4 i)(\sqrt{2}+4 i)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The product is 18 in standard form.
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the Conjugates
Notice that the expression consists of two binomials, \( (\sqrt{2} - 4i) \) and \( (\sqrt{2} + 4i) \), that are conjugates of each other. Binomial conjugates take the form \((a + bi)(a - bi)\).
02
- Apply the Difference of Squares Formula
When multiplying conjugates \((a + bi)(a - bi)\), the result is \( a^2 + b^2 \), since the middle terms cancel each other out. Here, \(a = \sqrt{2}\) and \(b = 4\).
03
- Calculate \(a^2\)
Square the real part \(a = \sqrt{2}\): \[ (\sqrt{2})^2 = 2 \]
04
- Calculate \(b^2\)
Square the imaginary coefficient \(b = 4\): \[ 4^2 = 16 \]
05
- Add \(a^2\) and \(b^2\)
Add the results from Step 3 and Step 4 to find the final result:\[ 2 + 16 = 18 \]
06
- Write the Product in Standard Form
The product of the conjugates \((\sqrt{2} - 4i)(\sqrt{2} + 4i)\) is \(18\), which is a real number, thus already in standard form.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Binomial Conjugates
Complex numbers are numbers that consist of both a real part and an imaginary part and can be conveniently represented as binomials. In the exercise, we encounter binomials such as \(\sqrt{2} - 4i\) and \(\sqrt{2} + 4i\). These two binomials are known as conjugates. Conjugates have a special form: when you multiply them, the imaginary components cancel each other out.
- A conjugate is simply formed by changing the sign between the real part and the imaginary part. For example, if one binomial is \(a + bi\), its conjugate would be \(a - bi\).
- In our case, \(a = \sqrt{2}\) and \(b = 4\), so \((\sqrt{2} - 4i)\) and \((\sqrt{2} + 4i)\) are conjugates of each other.
Difference of Squares
When dealing with conjugates, we utilize the difference of squares formula. The difference of squares is a pattern that occurs when multiplying two conjugates together.
- The formula states that for any two numbers \(a\) and \(b\), the product \((a + b)(a - b)\) is \(a^2 - b^2\).
- But in the case of complex conjugates like \((a + bi)(a - bi)\), the formula modifies slightly to become \(a^2 + b^2\).
- Square the real number: \((\sqrt{2})^2 = 2\).
- Square the imaginary part’s coefficient: \(4^2 = 16\).
Standard Form in Algebra
In algebra, it's common to express complex numbers in a standard form, which is a way of writing them clearly. The standard form for a complex number is \(a + bi\), where \(a\) is the real part and \(b\) is the imaginary part.Let's breakdown what this means:
- If a complex number is already simplified to a real number, like \(18\) in our exercise, that's still considered its standard form but as a purely real number. This is because the imaginary part \(bi\) is equal to zero.
- It is crucial to recognize what's considered standard, especially when multiplying complex numbers, so that the answer is easily understandable.