Complex Numbers: Dividing and write the result in standard form. Example: Divide First, multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator. (Recall the complex conjugate of a + bi is a – bi.) Here, the complex conjugate of 2 + i is 2 – i.
Complex Numbers: Dividing Now, write the result in standard form (a + bi, where a and b are real numbers). Here becomes Try to divide and write the result in standard form. The result is, Slide 2
Complex Numbers: Dividing Notes: If the denominator is a pure imaginary number, say 3i, then it is not necessary to multiply the numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate which would be - 3i here. Instead, it is quicker to multiply the numerator and denominator by just i since this will result in i2 in the denominator, hence the "disappearance” of i from the denominator. For example, becomes Slide 3
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