Complex Numbers: Unraveling the Mystery

In summary, complex numbers are numbers that have both a real and an imaginary part and are represented in the form a + bi. They are used to solve certain mathematical equations and are represented on a graph using the complex plane. The conjugate of a complex number is a reflection of the number over the x-axis, and operations on complex numbers involve adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing their real and imaginary parts.
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Hootenanny
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[Deleted]. Figured it out
 
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You big tease!
 
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berkeman said:
You big tease!
:smile: It was a stupid mistake, I felt embarrassed leaving it up there! :blushing:
 
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Complex indeed
 

FAQ: Complex Numbers: Unraveling the Mystery

What are complex numbers?

Complex numbers are numbers that have both a real and an imaginary part. They are written in the form a + bi, where a is the real part and bi is the imaginary part with i representing the square root of -1.

What is the purpose of using complex numbers?

Complex numbers are used to solve certain mathematical equations that cannot be solved with real numbers alone. They are also used in many fields of science and engineering, such as electrical engineering, quantum mechanics, and signal processing.

How are complex numbers represented on a graph?

Complex numbers are represented on a graph using the complex plane, where the real part is plotted on the x-axis and the imaginary part is plotted on the y-axis. The graph can be visualized as a 2-dimensional plane, with each point representing a different complex number.

What is the conjugate of a complex number?

The conjugate of a complex number a + bi is a - bi, where the sign of the imaginary part is changed. Geometrically, the conjugate of a complex number is a reflection of the number over the x-axis on the complex plane.

How do you perform operations on complex numbers?

To add or subtract complex numbers, you simply add or subtract the real and imaginary parts separately. To multiply complex numbers, you use the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last) and simplify the resulting terms. To divide complex numbers, you rationalize the denominator by multiplying by the conjugate of the denominator.

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