Chapter 9: Problem 101
Use the Binomial Theorem to expand the complex number. Simplify your result. (Remember that \(i=\sqrt{-1 .})\) \(\left(\frac{1}{4}-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} i\right)^{3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expansion of the given complex number using the Binomial Theorem is \(-\frac{1}{8} - \frac{\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{27}}{64}i\).
Step by step solution
01
Application of the binomial theorem
The binomial theorem states that \( (a + b)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} C(n, k) a^{n-k} b^k \), where \(C(n, k)\) are the binomial coefficients or combinations. We apply this theorem to \(\left(\frac{1}{4}-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} i\right)^{3}\).
02
Substituting values into the binomial theorem
In our case, \(a = \frac{1}{4}\), \(b = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} i\), and \(n = 3\). If we substitute these values in the Binomial Theorem, the expression becomes \( = C(3,0) * (\frac{1}{4})^{3} * (-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}i)^{0} + C(3,1) * (\frac{1}{4})^{2} * (-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}i)^{1} + C(3,2) * (\frac{1}{4})^{1} * (-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}i)^{2} + C(3,3) * (\frac{1}{4})^{0} * (-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}i)^{3}\).\(C(3, 0)\), \(C(3, 1)\), \(C(3, 2)\), and \(C(3, 3)\) are combination values, and their values are 1, 3, 3, and 1 respectively.
03
Calculate using combination values
If we substitute these combination values and calculate, the above expression becomes \( = 1 * (\frac{1}{64}) * 1 + 3 * (\frac{1}{16}) * (-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{16}i) + 3 * (\frac{1}{4}) * (\frac{3}{16}) + 1 * 1 * (-\frac{\sqrt{27}}{64}i) = \frac{1}{64} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{16}i - \frac{9}{64} -\frac{\sqrt{27}}{64}i\).
04
Simplify the expression
Combining the real parts and the imaginary parts gives the final simplified expression as \(-\frac{8}{64} - \frac{\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{27}}{64}i=-\frac{1}{8} - \frac{\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{27}}{64}i\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Complex Numbers
Complex numbers are numbers that have two parts: a real part and an imaginary part. They are typically written in the form of \(a + bi\), where \(a\) is the real part and \(b\) is the imaginary part. The imaginary part involves the imaginary unit \(i\), where \(i^2 = -1\). This allows for mathematical solutions to equations that do not have real number solutions, like the square root of a negative number.
- The real part is straightforward; it is similar to the numbers we typically use in arithmetic.
- The imaginary part allows us to handle complex mathematical situations.
Binomial Coefficients
Binomial coefficients are the numerical factors that multiply the terms in the expansion of a binomial raised to a power. In the binomial theorem, these are represented as \(C(n, k)\) or \(\binom{n}{k}\), and they represent combinations or ways to select items.
- They are calculated using the formula: \(C(n, k) = \frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}\), where \(!\) denotes a factorial.
- In a binomial expansion, the binomial coefficients give you the weight of each term in the expansion.
Expansion
The expansion of a binomial expression is the process of expressing it as a sum of terms using powers of its components. The Binomial Theorem is the tool that facilitates the expansion. For \((a + b)^n\), the theorem allows us to expand this expression into a series:\[(a + b)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} C(n, k) a^{n-k} b^k\]where each term involves binomial coefficients.
- Each successive term involves a decrease in the power of \(a\) and an increase in the power of \(b\).
- In the given exercise, the complex number expression is expanded using the above-mentioned binomial pattern.
Imaginary Unit i
The imaginary unit \(i\) is the cornerstone of complex numbers, defined as \(i = \sqrt{-1}\). It introduces a system that extends beyond the real number line.
- The rules for powers of \(i\) are cyclic: \(i^1 = i\), \(i^2 = -1\), \(i^3 = -i\), \(i^4 = 1\), and they repeat every four powers.
- When expanding expressions that include \(i\), it's important to recognize these cyclical powers.