Chapter 1: Problem 23
Write each expression in terms of \(i\) and simplify. (See Examples \(1-2)\) $$-\sqrt{-16}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
-4i
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Negative Square Root
Identify that the square root has a negative number inside. Since \(-16\) is negative, you need to involve the imaginary unit \(i\), where \(i = \sqrt{-1}\).
02
Factor the Radicand
Rewrite \(-16\) as \(16 \text{times} -1\). This gives us \(-\sqrt{-16} = -\big(\text{sqrt}(-1 \times 16)\big)\).
03
Simplify Using \(i\)
Use the property of square roots to separate the terms: \(-\big(\text{sqrt}(-1) \times \sqrt{16}\big) = -\big(i \times 4\big)\).
04
Simplify the Expression
Multiply the constants to get the simplified form: \(-\big(4i\big) = -4i\).
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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 both a real part and an imaginary part. The imaginary unit is represented by the letter \( i \), which is defined as \( \sqrt{-1} \). The form of a complex number is usually written as \( a + bi \), where \( a \) is the real part and \( bi \) is the imaginary part. For example, in the expression \( 3 + 4i \), 3 is the real part and 4i is the imaginary part.
Key Points:
- \( a \) is the real part
- \( bi \) is the imaginary part
Key Points:
- The real part of a complex number can be any real number.
- The imaginary part is a real number multiplied by the imaginary unit \( i \).
- Imaginary numbers are a crucial part of complex numbers.
negative square roots
Negative square roots involve taking the square root of a negative number. Normally, square roots of negative numbers don't exist within the set of real numbers. To handle these, we introduce the imaginary unit \( i \), where \( i = \sqrt{-1} \). This allows us to simplify expressions that involve negative square roots.
How to Handle Negative Square Roots:
How to Handle Negative Square Roots:
- Identify the negative inside the square root.
- Use \( i \) to represent the square root of \( -1 \).
- Rewrite the negative number as a product of a positive number and \( -1 \).
simplifying expressions
Simplifying expressions involves breaking down complex mathematical expressions into simpler, more manageable forms. For expressions involving imaginary numbers, follow these steps:
Steps to Simplify:
1. Recognize \( -\sqrt{-16} \).
2. Rewrite \( -16 \) as \( 16 \times -1 \).
3. Use \( i \) to separate the terms: \( \sqrt{-16} = \sqrt{16 \times -1} \).
4. We get \( 4i \) because \( \sqrt{16} = 4 \) and \( \sqrt{-1} = i \).
5. Finally, the expression simplifies to \( -4i \).
Understanding these steps will help you easily simplify complex expressions, especially those involving negative square roots and imaginary numbers.
Steps to Simplify:
- Identify and factor the radicand (the number inside the square root).
- Separate the square root of any negative number using \( i \).
- Combine like terms if possible.
1. Recognize \( -\sqrt{-16} \).
2. Rewrite \( -16 \) as \( 16 \times -1 \).
3. Use \( i \) to separate the terms: \( \sqrt{-16} = \sqrt{16 \times -1} \).
4. We get \( 4i \) because \( \sqrt{16} = 4 \) and \( \sqrt{-1} = i \).
5. Finally, the expression simplifies to \( -4i \).
Understanding these steps will help you easily simplify complex expressions, especially those involving negative square roots and imaginary numbers.