Chapter 3: Problem 45
Write the expression in standard form. $$ \frac{3}{-i} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression in standard form is \( 3i \).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Complex Denominator
The denominator in the fraction \( \frac{3}{-i} \) is a purely imaginary number \(-i\). To convert this into a standard form, which means the form of \( a + bi \), we need to eliminate the imaginary unit \( i \) from the denominator.
02
Multiply by the Conjugate
Multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction \( \frac{3}{-i} \) by \( i \), the conjugate of \(-i\). This gives: \[ \frac{3 \cdot i}{-i \cdot i} \] which simplifies the denominator.
03
Simplify the Denominator
Calculate \(-i \cdot i = (-1)(i^2) = -(-1) = 1\) since \(i^2 = -1\). So, the denominator becomes \(1\). The fraction now looks like \( \frac{3i}{1} \).
04
Simplify the Fraction
Now, \( \frac{3i}{1} \) simplifies to \( 3i \). This is in the form \( 0 + 3i \), which is the standard form a complex number.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Imaginary Numbers
Imaginary numbers are numbers that can be expressed in the form of a real number multiplied by the imaginary unit, which is denoted by the letter \(i\). The imaginary unit is a mathematical concept used to represent the square root of \(-1\). This means that \(i^2 = -1\), which is a key property of imaginary numbers.
For instance, what makes \(-i\) in our original exercise a purely imaginary number is its form. It is essentially \(0 + (-1)i\), where the real part is zero, and the imaginary part is "\(-1i\)".
For instance, what makes \(-i\) in our original exercise a purely imaginary number is its form. It is essentially \(0 + (-1)i\), where the real part is zero, and the imaginary part is "\(-1i\)".
Standard Form of Complex Numbers
A complex number is typically expressed in the form \(a + bi\), where \(a\) is the real part and \(b\) is the imaginary part. This way of writing a complex number is known as its standard form.
In our context, put simply, the goal is to write a number in the form \(a + bi\), even if either \(a\) or \(b\) is zero. For example:
In our context, put simply, the goal is to write a number in the form \(a + bi\), even if either \(a\) or \(b\) is zero. For example:
- If \(a = 0\), then the complex number is purely imaginary.
- If \(b = 0\), then the complex number is purely real.
Complex Conjugate
The complex conjugate of a complex number is found by changing the sign of its imaginary part. For a number \(a + bi\), the complex conjugate is \(a - bi\). Conjugates have a unique utility: when multiplied by each other, they yield a real number.
In the exercise given,
In the exercise given,
- The conjugate of \(-i\) (which is \(0 - i\)) is \(i\) (or \(0 + i\)).
- This means wherever we see \(-i\) in the denominator, multiplying by its conjugate \(i\) will help eliminate the imaginary unit.
Simplifying Fractions with Imaginary Denominators
Ensuring fractions with imaginary denominators are simplified into a recognizable form is essential. The method for doing so is to eliminate the imaginary number from the denominator by multiplication.
Using the complex conjugate is a systematic way to achieve this simplification. In the exercise example, the fraction \(\frac{3}{-i}\) was transformed by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by \(i\). This yielded:
Using the complex conjugate is a systematic way to achieve this simplification. In the exercise example, the fraction \(\frac{3}{-i}\) was transformed by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by \(i\). This yielded:
- The denominator simplified from \(-i \cdot i\) to \(1\), as \(-i^2 = 1\).
- The numerator became \(3i\), resulting in a fraction simplification to \(3i\), or \(0 + 3i\) in standard form.