How to divide complex numbers
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ACT Math › How to divide complex numbers
Complex numbers take the form , where
is the real term in the complex number and
is the nonreal (imaginary) term in the complex number.
Simplify:
Explanation
This problem can be solved very similarly to a binomial such as . In this case, both the real and nonreal terms in the complex number are eligible to be divided by the real divisor.
, so
Evaluate:
Explanation
First, divide 100 by as follows:
Now, divide this by :
Evaluate:
Explanation
First, divide 100 by as follows:
Now dvide this result by :
Complex numbers take the form , where
is the real term in the complex number and
is the nonreal (imaginary) term in the complex number.
Simplify by using conjugates:
Explanation
Solving this problem using a conjugate is just like conjugating a binomial to simplify a denominator.
Multiply both terms by the denominator's conjugate.
Simplify. Note
.
Combine and simplify.
Simplify the numerator.
The prime denominator prevents further simplifying.
Thus, .
Simplify:
Explanation
Multiply both numberator and denominator by :
Evaluate:
Explanation
First, evaluate :
Now divide this into :
Evaluate:
Explanation
First, evaluate using the square pattern:
Divide this into :
Simplify:
Explanation
This problem can be solved in a way similar to other kinds of division problems (with binomials, for example). We need to get the imaginary number out of the denominator, so we will multiply the denominator by its conjugate and multiply the top by it as well to preserve the number's value.
Then, recall by definition, so we can simplify this further:
This is as far as we can simplify, so it is our final answer.