Chapter 17: Problem 9
In Problems 1-26, write the given number in the form \(a+i b\). $$ (2-3 i)(4+i) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression simplifies to \(11 - 10i\).
Step by step solution
01
Distribute the Terms
To solve \((2 - 3i)(4 + i)\), we need to apply the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials). Multiply each term in the first complex number \((2 - 3i)\) by each term in the second complex number \((4 + i)\). This gives: \[ (2 \cdot 4) + (2 \cdot i) + (-3i \cdot 4) + (-3i \cdot i) \].
02
Simplify the Real Parts
Calculate the real parts from the products: \(2 \cdot 4 = 8\), and the imaginary part product that contributes to the real part: \(-3i \cdot i = 3\) (since \(i^2 = -1\), \(-3i \cdot i = -3(-1) = 3\)). So, the total real part is \(8 + 3 = 11\).
03
Simplify the Imaginary Parts
Next, calculate the imaginary parts: \(2 \cdot i = 2i\) and \(-3i \cdot 4 = -12i\). Combine these to get the imaginary part: \(2i - 12i = -10i\).
04
Write in Standard Form
Combine the real and imaginary parts from Steps 2 and 3 to write the number in the form \(a + ib\). We have the real part \(11\) and the imaginary part \(-10i\), giving us a final result of \(11 - 10i\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Distributive Property
The distributive property is a fundamental algebraic rule. It allows us to multiply a single term by each term inside a parenthesis. This property can be particularly useful when multiplying binomials. In our example, the expression
- \((2 - 3i)(4 + i)\)
- \(2 \cdot 4\)
- \(2 \cdot i\)
- \(-3i \cdot 4\)
- \(-3i \cdot i\)
Binomials
Binomials are algebraic expressions that contain two distinct terms. In our problem, both factors,
- \((2 - 3i)\) and
- \((4 + i)\)
- First
- Outside
- Inside
- Last
Imaginary Unit
The imaginary unit, denoted as \(i\), is a key concept in complex numbers. It is defined by the equation \(i^2 = -1\). This definition allows us to represent and calculate expressions involving the square root of negative numbers. In our example \(-3i\) is multiplied by \(i\) the result is a real number. This is because \(i^2\) is equal to
- \(-3i \cdot i = 3\)
- \(-1\).
Standard Form of a Complex Number
The standard form of a complex number is expressed as \(a + bi\). This format clearly separates the real part \(a\) from the imaginary part \(bi\). In our solved problem, we deduced that:
- real part is 11
- imaginary part is -10i
- \(11 - 10i\)