Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.

Aim: How do we divide complex numbers?

Do Now:

6
3 5
Express as an equivalent fraction
with a rational denominator.

6
3 5

3 + 5
3 + 5
|
\

|
.
|

=
6(3 + 5)
4
=
3(3 + 5)
2
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.
Identities & Inverses
Multiplicative identity:
real numbers -
complex numbers -
Multiplicative inverse:
real numbers -
complex numbers -
ex. (2 + 3i)(1 + 0i) = 2 + 3i
= 1
(n)(1/n) = 1
real numbers
(3)(1/3) = 1

ex. 2 + 3i ( )
1
2 + 3i
|
\
|
.
= 1
complex numbers
(a + bi)(1/(a + bi) = 1
1
1 + 0i
1/n
1/(a + bi)
ex.
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.

10
8

7
2i
Rationalizing the Denominator

7
2i

10
8
|
\
|
.
8
8
|
\

|
.
|

=
10 8
( 8)
2
=
10 8
8
Multiply fraction by a
form of the identity
element 1.
Simplify if possible

10 8
8
=
10 2- 4
8
=
10 - 2 2
8
=
5 2
2

10
3
rational number
irrational number

7
2i
|
\
|
.
i
i
|
\
|
.

=
7i
2i
2
Multiply fraction by a
form of the identity
element 1.
Simplify if possible
means to remove
the complex number (i)
from the denominator

i
i

=
7i
2
recall:

8
8
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.
Rationalizing the Denominator (binomial)

1
2 + 3i
|
\
|
.
the reciprocal of 2 + 3i is not
in complex number form
We need to change the fraction and
remove the imaginary number
from the denominator; we need to
rationalize the denominator: how?

1
2 + 3i
|
\
|
.
2 3i
2 3i
|
\
|
.

=
2 3i
4+ 9
=
2 3i
13
Use the conjugate of the complex number
The product of two complex numbers
that are conjugates is a real number.
(a + bi)(a bi) = a
2
+ b
2


1
2 + 3i
|
\
|
.
2 3i
2 3i
|
\
|
.
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.
Rationalizing the Denominator

2 + 3i ( )
2 3i
13
|
\
|
.
=
4 + 9
13
= 1

2 + 3i ( )
1
2 + 3i
|
\
|
.
= 1
multiplicative inverse
unrationalized denominator
rationalized denominator
Show that (3 i) and are inverses.

3
10
+
1
10
i

3 i ( )
3
10
+
1
10
i
|
\
|
.
=

3
3
10
+
1
10
i
|
\
|
.
i
3
10
+
1
10
i
|
\
|
.

=
9
10
+
3
10
i
3
10
i +
i
2
10
|
\

|
.
|

=
9
10

1
10
|
\
|
.
= 1
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.
Dividing Complex Numbers
Divide 8 + i by 2 i
write in fractional form
rationalize the fraction
by multiplying by
conjugate of denom.

8 + i
2 i
|
\
|
.
2 + i
2 + i
|
\
|
.
=
simplify

15 + 10i
5
=

3 + 2i

8+ i
2 i

16 + 10i + i
2
4 + 1
=
check:
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.
Model Problems
Write the multiplicative inverse of 2 + 4i
in the form of a + bi and simplify.
write inverse as fraction

1
2+ 4i
rationalize by
multiplying by conjugate

1
2 + 4i
|
\
|
.
2 4i
2 4i
|
\
|
.
=
simplify

2 4i
4 + 16
|
\
|
.
=

1
10

1
5
i
Aim: Dividing Complex Numbers Course: Adv. Alg. & Trig.
Model Problems
Divide and check: (3 + 12i) (4 i)
write in fractional form
rationalize the fraction
by multiplying by
conjugate of denom.

3 + 12i
4 i
|
\
|
.
4 + i
4 + i
|
\
|
.
=
simplify

51i
17
=

3i

3 + 12i
4 i

12 + 51i + 12i
2
16 + 1
=
check: