1) Complex numbers are written in the form a + bi, where a is the real part and bi is the imaginary part. 2) Complex numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided using standard algebraic rules, resulting in another complex number. 3) When taking the square root of a negative number or solving quadratic equations, complex number solutions may arise with real and imaginary parts.

1. a + bi

2. When we take the square root of both sides of an
equation or use the quadratic formula, sometimes we
get a negative under the square root. Because of this,
we'll introduce the set of complex numbers.
i = −1
2
This is called the imaginary unit and its square is -1.
We write complex numbers in standard form and they look like:
a + bi
This is called the real part This is called the imaginary part

3. We can add, subtract, multiply or divide complex numbers. After
performing these operations if we’ve simplified everything correctly we
should always again get a complex number (although the real or
imaginary parts may be zero). Below is an example of each.
Combine real parts and
ADDING (3 – 2i) + (5 – 4i) = 8 – 6i combine imaginary parts
Be sure to distribute the
SUBTRACTING (3 – 2i) - (5 – 4i) negative through before
combining real parts and
3 – 2i - 5 + 4i = -2 +2i imaginary parts
FOIL and then combine like
MULTIPLYING (3 – 2i) (5 – 4i) terms. Remember i 2 = -1
= 15 – 12i – 10i+8i2 Notice when I’m done simplifying
that I only have two terms, a real
=15 – 22i +8(-1) = 7 – 22i term and an imaginary one. If I
have more than that, I need to
simplify more.

4. 3 − 2i 5 + 4i = + 12i − − i − ( 8i )
1515 + 12i1010i8−− 12
DIVIDING
⋅ =
5 − 4i 5 + 4i + + i − − i − −( −i )
25252020i2020i161612
FOIL Combine like terms
i 2 = −1
To divide complex numbers, you multiply the top and
bottom of the fraction by the conjugate of the bottom.
23 + 2i 23 2 This means the same
= = + i complex number, but
41 41 41 with opposite sign on
the imaginary term
We’ll put the 41 under each term so we can
see the real part and the imaginary part

5. Let’s solve a couple of equations that have complex
solutions.
Square root and
x + 25 = 0
2
x = ± − 25
2
don’t forget the ±
-25 -25
x = ± 25( − 1) = ± 25 − 1 = ±5 i
The negative 1
under the square
root becomes i
Use the
x − 6 x + 13 = 0
2
− b ± b 2 − 4ac
quadratic
formula
x=
2a
− ( − 6) ± ( − 6) − 4(1)(13)
2
6 ± 36 − 52
x= =
2(1) 2
6 ± − 16 6 ± 16 i 6±4i
= = = = 3 ± 2i
2 2 2

6. Powers of i
We could continue but notice
i=i that they repeat every group
i = −1
2 of 4.
For every i 4 it will = 1
i = i i = −1(i ) = −i
3 2
To simplify higher powers
i = i i = ( − 1)( − 1) = 1 i and see what is left.
4 2 2 of i then, we'll group all the
4ths
i = i i = 1( i ) = i
5 4
i = ( i ) i = (1) i = i
33 4 8 8
i = i i = 1( − 1) = −1
6 4 2
4 will go into 33 8 times with 1 left.
i = i i = 1( − i ) = −i
7 4 3
i = ( i ) i = (1) i = −i
4 20 3
83 20 3
i = i i = 1(1) = 1
8 4 4
4 will go into 83 20 times with 3 left.

7. This "discriminates" or tells us what type of solutions we'll have.
− b ± b − 4ac 2
ax + bx + c = 0
2
x=
2a
If we have a quadratic equation and are considering solutions
from the complex number system, using the quadratic formula,
one of three things can happen.
1. The "stuff" under the square root can be positive and we'd get
two unequal real solutions if b 2 − 4ac > 0
2. The "stuff" under the square root can be zero and we'd get one
solution (called a repeated or double root because it would factor
into two equal factors, each giving us =
if b 2 − 4acthe0same solution).
3. The "stuff" under the square root can be negative and we'd get
two complex solutions that are conjugates of each− 4ac < 0
if b 2 other.
The "stuff" under the square root is called the discriminant.