GRACE MISSION COLLEGE
Catiningan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro
Module 4 in COLLEGE AND ADVANCE ALGEBRA
EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES (continuation)
COMPLEX NUMBERS
Imaginary and Complex numbers
The imaginary number i is defined as the square root of −1.
A complex number is a number of the form a + bi where
a is the real part of the complex number.
b is the imaginary part of the complex number.
If b = 0, then a + bi is a real number. If a = 0 and b is not equal to 0, the complex number is
called a pure imaginary number.
Given an imaginary number, express it in the standard form of a complex number.
1. Write √ −a as √ a √ −1.
2. Express √ −1 as i.
3. Write √ a • i in simplest form
Example 1. Expressing an Imaginary Number in Standard Form
Express √ −9 in standard form.
Solution:
√−9 = √ 9 √−1= 3i
Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
Just as with real numbers, we can perform arithmetic operations on complex numbers. To add
or subtract complex numbers, we combine the real parts and then combine the imaginary parts.
Adding complex numbers: (a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i
Subtracting complex numbers: (a + bi) − (c + di) = (a − c) + (b − d)i
Example 2. Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers
Add or subtract as indicated.
a. (3 − 4i) + (2 + 5i)
Solution: We add the real parts and add the imaginary parts.
a. (3 − 4i) + (2 + 5i) = 3 − 4i + 2 + 5i
= 3 + 2 + (−4i) + 5i
= (3 + 2) + (−4 + 5)i
=5+i
b. (−5 + 7i) − (−11 + 2i) = −5 + 7i + 11 − 2i
= −5 + 11 + 7i − 2i
= (−5 + 11) + (7 − 2)i
= 6 + 5i
Multiplying a Complex Number
Let’s begin by multiplying a complex number by a real number. We distribute the real
number just as we would with a binomial. Consider, for example, 3(6 + 2i):
3(6 + 2i) = (3 · 6) + (3 · 2i) Distribute.
= 18 + 6i Simplify.
Now, let’s multiply two complex numbers. We can use either the distributive property or
more specifically the FOIL method because we are dealing with binomials. Recall that FOIL is an
acronym for multiplying First, Inner, Outer, and Last terms together. The difference with complex
numbers is that when we get a squared term, i 2it equals −1.
(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci + bdi 2
= ac + adi + bci − bd i 2= −1
= (ac − bd) + (ad + bc)i Group real terms and imaginary terms
Example 3. Multiplying a Complex Number by a Complex Number
Multiply: (4 + 3i)(2 − 5i).
Solution:
(4 + 3i)(2 − 5i) = 4(2) − 4(5i) + 3i(2) − (3i)(5i)
= 8 − 20i + 6i − 15(i 2)
= (8 + 15) + (−20 + 6)i
= 23 − 14i
Simplifying Powers of i
The powers of i are cyclic. Let’s look at what happens when we raise i to increasing powers.
i1 = i
i 2 = −1
i 3 = i 2• i = −1• i = −i
i 4 = i 3• i = −i • i = −i 2 = − (−1) = 1
i 5= i 4 • i = 1• i = i
We can see that when we get to the fifth power of i, it is equal to the first power. As we
continue to multiply i by increasing powers, we will see a cycle of four. Let’s examine the next four
powers of i.
i 6 = i 5 • i = i • i = i 2 = −1
i 7 = i 6 • i = i 2 • i = i 3 = −i
i8 = i7 • i = i3 • i = i4 = 1
i9 = i8 • i = i4 • i = i5 = i
The cycle is repeated continuously: i, −1, − i, 1, every four powers.
ACTIVITY 1
Direction: Perform the indicated operation and express the result as a simplified complex number.
1. (−4 + 4i) − (−6 + 9i)
2. (2 + 3i)(4i) 8-10. If y = x 2+ 3x + 5, evaluate y given x = 2 + i.
3. (3 + 2i) + (5 − 3i)
4. i 15
5. (3 + 4i)(3 − 4i)
6. i 8
7. (−2 − 4i) + (1 + 6i)
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
An equation containing a second-degree polynomial is called a quadratic equation. For
example, equations such as 2 x 2 + 3x − 1 = 0 and x 2 − 4 = 0 are quadratic equations. They are used in
countless ways in the fields of engineering, architecture, finance, biological science, and, of course,
mathematics.
Solving the Quadratic Equation by Factoring
Example 1. Solving the Quadratic Equation by Factoring
Factor and solve the equation: x 2+ x − 6 = 0.
Solution:
(x − 2)(x + 3) = 0
(x − 2) = 0 (x + 3) = 0
x=2 x = -3
The solutions are 2 and -3.
Example 2. Solving the Quadratic Equation Using the Zero-Product Property to Solve a
Quadratic Equation Written as the Difference of Squares
Solve the difference of squares equation using the zero-product property: x 2 − 9 = 0.
2
x −9=0
(x − 3)(x + 3) = 0
(x − 3) = 0 x = 3 (x + 3) = 0 x = −3
The solutions are 3 and −3.
Solving the Quadratic Equation by Completing the Square
Not all quadratic equations can be factored or can be solved in their original form using the
square root property. In these cases, we may use a method for solving a quadratic equation known as
completing the square.
We will use the example x 2 + 4x + 1 = 0 to illustrate each step.
1. Given a quadratic equation that cannot be factored, and with a = 1, first add or subtract the
constant term to the right sign of the equal sign. x 2 + 4x = −1
1 1
2. Multiply the b term by and square it. (4) = 2
2 2
22 = 4
1 2
3. Add ( b) to both sides of the equal sign and simplify the right side. We have
2
x 2 + 4x + 4 = −1 + 4
x 2 + 4x + 4 = 3
4. The left side of the equation can now be factored as a perfect square.
x 2 + 4x + 4 = 3
( x +2¿ ¿ 2= 3
5. Use the square root property and solve.
√ x+ 2¿2 ¿= ± √ 3
x + 2 = ±√ 3
x = −2 ±√ 3
6. The solutions are −2 + √ 3and −2 − √ 3
Example 3. Solving a Quadratic by Completing the Square
Solve the quadratic equation by completing the square: x 2 − 3x − 5 = 0.
Solution:
x 2 − 3x = 5
−3 2 −3 2
x 2 − 3x + ( ) =5+( )
2 2
9 9
x 2− 3x + = 5 +
4 4
2
3 29
( x− ) =
2 4
3 2 29
√ (x− ) = ±
3
2 √ 4
x− = ± 29
( ) 2
3 √ 29
√ 4
x= ±
2 2
3+ √ 29 3−√ 29
The solutions are ∧¿ .
2 2
Solving the Quadratic Equation Using the Quadratic Formula
The fourth method of solving a quadratic equation is by using the quadratic formula, a
formula that will solve all quadratic equations.
The Quadratic Formula
Written in standard form, a x 2 + bx + c = 0, any quadratic equation can be solved using the
−b ± √ b2−4 ac
quadratic formula: x=
2a
where a, b, and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0.
Example 4. Solve the Quadratic Equation Using the Quadratic Formula
Solve the quadratic equation: x 2+ 5x + 1 = 0.
Solution: Identify the coefficients: a = 1, b = 5, c = 1. Then use the quadratic formula.
−5 ± √52−4 (1)(1)
x=
2(1)
−5 ± √ 25−4
x=
2
−5 ± √ 21
x=
2
The Discriminant
For a x 2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are real numbers, the discriminant is the expression
under the radical in the quadratic formula: b 2 − 4ac. It tells us whether the solutions are real numbers
or complex numbers and how many solutions of each type to expect.
Value of Discriminants Results
2
b − 4ac = 0 One rational solution (double solution)
b 2 − 4ac > 0, perfect square Two rational solutions
b 2 − 4ac > 0, not a perfect square Two irrational solutions
b 2 − 4ac < 0 Two complex solutions
Example 5. Using the Discriminant to Find the Nature of the Solutions to a Quadratic Equation
Use the discriminant to find the nature of the solutions to the following quadratic equations:
2
a. x + 4x + 4 = 0
b. 8 x 2 + 14x + 3 = 0
c. 3 x 2 − 5x − 2 = 0
d. 3 x 2 − 10x + 15 = 0
Solution:
Calculate the discriminant b 2− 4ac for each equation and state the expected type of solutions.
a. x 2 + 4x + 4 = 0 b 2 − 4ac = (4)2 − 4(1)(4) = 0. There will be one rational double
solution.
b. 8 x 2 + 14x + 3 = 0 b 2 − 4ac = (14)2 − 4(8)(3) = 100. As 100 is a perfect square, there
will be two rational solutions.
c. 3 x 2− 5x − 2 = 0 b 2 − 4ac = (−5)2 − 4(3)(−2) = 49. As 49 is a perfect square, there
will be two rational solutions.
d. 3 x 2 −10x + 15 = 0 b 2 − 4ac = (−10)2 − 4(3)(15) = −80. There will be two complex
solutions.
ACTIVITY 2
Direction: Solve the following equations by:
A. FACTORING.
1. x 2 + 4x – 21 = 0
2. x 2 – 9x + 18 = 0
3. 2 x2 + 9x + 5 = 0
4. 4 x 2 = 9
5. 4 x 2 – 12x + 8 = 0
B. COMPLETING THE SQUARE
1. x 2−9 x +25 = 0
2. 2 x 2−3 x−1 = 0
3. x 2−6 x=13
4. 6 p2 + 7p – 20 = 0
5. 2 x 2−8 x−5 = 0
C. QUADRATIC FORMULA
1. x 2+ x=4
2. 2 x2 +5 x +3 = 0
3. x 2+ 4 x +2
“The only reason that we like complex numbers is that we don’t like real
numbers.
- Bernd Sturmfels
Prepared by:
__________________
JEORGE O. HUGNO
Instructor
