Chapter 9: Problem 56
Rationalize the denominator. Write all answers in a + bi form. $$\frac{4+5 i}{4-5 i}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
-9/41 + (40/41)i
Step by step solution
01
Identification of the conjugate
The conjugate of any complex number a + bi is a - bi. So, the conjugate of the denominator 4 - 5i is 4 + 5i.
02
Multiply by the conjugate
Multiply the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by 4 + 5i, the conjugate of the denominator. Doing this gives the new term \(\frac{(4+5i)(4+5i)}{(4-5i)(4+5i)}\).
03
Expand and Simplify
Expand the expressions in the formula. For the numerator, use the formula (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 to obtain (4^2 + 2*4*5i + (5i)^2) = 16 + 40i - 25. For the denominator, use the formula (a - b)(a + b) = a^2 - b^2 to obtain (4^2 - (5i)^2) = 16 + 25 = 41. So, now, we have \(\frac{16 + 40i - 25}{41}\).
04
Write in the form a+bi
Simplify the numerator and rewrite in the form a+bi. The simplified numerator is -9 + 40i. Therefore, the fraction becomes \(\frac{-9 + 40i}{41}\).
05
Final Solution
To write this in a+bi form, split the fraction: -9/41 + (40/41)i. This is the final answer.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rationalizing the Denominator
Rationalizing the denominator is a fundamental strategy used in simplifying expressions with complex numbers. When we have a fraction with a complex number in the denominator, it's preferable to "rationalize" it. This means transforming the fraction so that the denominator becomes a real number.
Here's how to rationalize the denominator when it contains a complex number:
Here's how to rationalize the denominator when it contains a complex number:
- Identify the complex conjugate of the denominator. The complex conjugate reverses the sign of the imaginary part of the number.
- Multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by this conjugate.
- Through this multiplication, the imaginary parts cancel out in the denominator.
Complex Conjugate
The complex conjugate is a vital concept when dealing with complex numbers. A complex number is typically in the form of \(a + bi\), and its complex conjugate is \(a - bi\).
Why is the complex conjugate important, especially when rationalizing denominators? Here’s why:
Why is the complex conjugate important, especially when rationalizing denominators? Here’s why:
- Using the conjugate helps to eliminate the imaginary part of the denominator, turning it into a real number.
- When a complex number is multiplied by its conjugate, the result is always a real number, specifically \(a^2 + b^2\).
- This process leverages the difference of squares \((a - b)(a + b) = a^2 - b^2\).
a + bi Form
Writing complex numbers in the standard form \(a + bi\) means expressing them in terms of a real part (\(a\)) and an imaginary part (\(bi\)).
Here's why the \(a + bi\) form is used:
Here's why the \(a + bi\) form is used:
- It provides a consistent way to easily identify both the real and imaginary parts of a complex number.
- It simplifies the process of performing arithmetic operations like addition or subtraction on complex numbers.
- Many mathematical concepts, including polar and exponential forms, build upon this basic representation.