Chapter 17: Problem 14
$$\frac{i}{1+i} \cdot \frac{1-i}{1-i}=\frac{i+1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2} i$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression equals \( \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2}i.\)
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Complex Conjugate
The given expression is \( \frac{i}{1+i} \cdot \frac{1-i}{1-i} \). Here, \( \frac{1-i}{1-i} \) is just 1, so we are essentially multiplying \( \frac{i}{1+i} \) by 1 in a way that rationalizes the denominator.
02
Multiply by the Complex Conjugate
To rationalize the denominator, multiply \( \frac{i}{1+i} \) by \( \frac{1-i}{1-i} \), the complex conjugate of \( 1+i \). This will eliminate the imaginary part of the denominator when simplified.
03
Simplify the Numerator
The numerator becomes \( i(1-i) = i - i^2 \). Since \( i^2 = -1 \), simplify to \( i - (-1) = i + 1 \).
04
Simplify the Denominator
The denominator becomes \( (1+i)(1-i) = 1 - i^2 \). Simplify this using \( i^2 = -1 \) to get \( 1 - (-1) = 1 + 1 = 2 \).
05
Combine Simplified Parts
Now, combine these to get \( \frac{i+1}{2} \).
06
Split into Real and Imaginary Parts
The expression \( \frac{i+1}{2} \) can be split into real and imaginary parts: \( \frac{1}{2} + \frac{i}{2} \). This matches with the given format.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Complex Conjugate
The concept of a complex conjugate is fundamental when working with complex numbers. For a given complex number, its conjugate is found by changing the sign of its imaginary part. For example:
- If the complex number is given as \(a + bi\), its complex conjugate would be \(a - bi\).
Rationalization
Rationalization involves modifying an expression to remove complex numbers from the denominator. The goal is to make the expression easier to compute and understand. When dealing with a fraction like \(\frac{i}{1+i}\), we multiply by the complex conjugate, \(\frac{1-i}{1-i}\).
- This effectively changes the form without altering the value.
- The multiplication removes the imaginary component from the denominator.
Imaginary Part
The imaginary part of a complex number is the component that involves the imaginary unit \(i\). For the number \(a + bi\), the imaginary part is \(b\).
- In the exercise, after simplification, the complex number \(\frac{i+1}{2}\) is split into its real and imaginary parts.
- The imaginary part here is \(\frac{i}{2}\).
Real Part
The real part of a complex number refers to the component that exists without the imaginary unit \(i\). Consider the complex number \(a + bi\); here, the real part is \(a\).
- In the exercise, after full simplification, the expression \(\frac{i+1}{2}\) is separated into \(\frac{1}{2}\) as the real part.