The Set of Complex Numbers

Christopher F. Santos

Algebra Lecture 6
De La Salle University

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

1 / 11

The Set of Complex Numbers

Note that there is no real number x such that
x 2 = 1.
We define i to be the number such that i 2 = 1.
Any number of the form a + bi, where a and b are real
numbers, is called a complex number.
Hence, the set of complex numbers is given by
C = {a + bi|a, b R, i 2 = 1}

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

2 / 11

The Set of Complex Numbers

Let z = a + bi C.
Standard/Rectangular Form: z = a + bi
Real Part of z: Re(z) = a
Imaginary Part of z: Im(z) = b
Example: If z = 3i 7, then
Re(z) = 7
Im(z) = 3

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

3 / 11

The Set of Complex Numbers

Let z = a + bi C.
If b = 0,z is a real number: a = a + 0i
If b 6= 0, z is a imaginary number
If a = 0 and b 6= 0, z is a pure imaginary number:
bi = 0 + bi
Examples:
3 is a real number
1 + 2i is an imaginary number
BUT not pure imaginary number
4i is a pure imaginary number
Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

4 / 11

Principal Square Root of p

If p > 0, then the principal square root of p, denoted

by p, is given by

p = i p
Examples:

9 = i 9 = 3i
3i and 3i are square roots of -9 since (3i)2 = 9
2
and (3i)
= 9 BUT the principal square root of

-9 is 9 = 3i.

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

5 / 11

Conjugate of a Complex NUmber

The conjugate of z = a + bi is
z = a + bi = a bi
Examples:
1 + 2i = 1 2i

2 3i = 2 + 3i
3=3
4i = 4i
i 2 = 2 i
Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

6 / 11

The Set of Complex Numbers

Two complex numbers a + bi and c + di are equal

if a = c and b = d.
The axioms for the real number system hold for C.
There is no concept of order in C.
Additive Identity in C: 0 = 0 + 0i
Multiplicative Identity in C: 1 = 1 + 0i

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

7 / 11

Addition and Subtraction of Complex Numbers

If z1 = a + bi and z2 = c + di, then

z1 z2 = (a c) + (b d)i
Examples: Let z1 = 1 + 5i and z2 = 3 2i. Then
z1 + z2 = 4 + 3i

Christopher F. Santos

z1 z2 = 2 + 7i

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

8 / 11

Multiplication and Division of Complex Numbers

If z1 = a + bi and z2 = c + di, then
z1 z2 = (ac bd) + (ad + bc)i
and

z1
ac + bd bc ad
= 2
+ 2
i, z2 6= 0
z2
c + d2
c + d2

NOTE: The laws of integer exponents apply to

complex numbers.
Examples: Let z1 = 1 + 5i and z2 = 3 2i. Then
z1 z2 = 13 + 13i
Christopher F. Santos

z1
z2
The Set of Complex Numbers

7
= 13
+

17
13 i

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

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The Powers of i
Let n Z+ .
If r is the remainder when n is divided by 4, then

1
, if r = 0

i
, if r = 1
n
i =

1 , if r = 2

i , if r = 3
Example: 8i 93 5i 71 + 6i 24 = 6 + 13i

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

10 / 11

Exercise
Perform the following operations and simplify.
2i(i 741 i 36 + 5i 8 i 9 )
(4 + 7i)(1 3i)
2 3i
3 + 2i
5 + i 8(3 7i)
4 9i 62
2 i 75 2(i + 1)

2 4

Christopher F. Santos

The Set of Complex Numbers

DLSU Algebra Lecture 6

11 / 11