Lesson 4.

1: Introduction to Imaginary Numbers

Learning Goals:
1) What is a real number? A rational number? An irrational number? A
complex number?
2) How do we simplify radicals of negative numbers?
3) How do we simplify powers of 𝑖?

A real number is any number that is not imaginary; it includes rational or

irrational number.
𝑎
A rational number is any number that can be expressed as a fraction ; it
𝑏
includes fractions, integers, and certain decimals
An irrational number is any number that cannot be expressed as a fraction.

What irrationals do you know?

1
Getting ready for today’s lesson:
Solve each of the following for 𝑥:
a) 𝑥2 = 4 or 𝑥2 − 4 = 0

√𝑥 2 = √4 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
𝑥 = ±2 𝑥 =2 & −2

b) 𝑥2 − 3 = 0 c) 𝑥2 + 1 = 0
𝑥2 = 3 𝑥 2 = −1

√𝑥 2 = √3 √𝑥 2 = √−1 error in calc

𝑥 = ±√3 𝑥 = ±√−1 = ±𝑖

The imaginary unit is defined as 𝑖 = √−1.

Calculator must be in “𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖” mode in order to compute imaginary numbers

without error.
Imaginary numbers can only be found with even indexes!
3
√−64 = 8𝑖 vs. √−64 = −4

2
 Simplifying radicals with negative radicands
Let’s try some together!
Express each of the following in simplest radical form.
1. √−121 = √−1 ∙ √121 = 𝑖 ∙ 11 = 11𝑖

2. 5√−8 + √−72 You cannot add until you have like terms!
5√−1 ∙ √4 ∙ √2 + √−1 ∙ √36√2
5 ∙ 𝑖 ∙ 2 ∙ √2 + 𝑖 ∙ 6 ∙ √2
10𝑖√2 + 6𝑖√2
16𝑖√2 2nd → decimal = 𝑖

Now you try!

Express each of the following in simplest radical form.
3: −√−49 = −√−1 ∙ √49 = −𝑖 ∙ 7 = −7𝑖

4. 4√−18 − √−50 = 4 ∙ √−9 ∙ √2 − √−25 ∙ √2 = 12𝑖√2 − 5𝑖√2 = 7𝑖√2

5. −√−225 = −√−1 ∙ √225 = −𝑖 ∙ 15 = −15𝑖

Simplifying Powers of 𝒊
What happens when you raise 𝑖 to a power? The powers of 𝑖 repeat in a definite
pattern (1, 𝑖, −1, −𝑖)
𝑖0 = 1 𝑖 3 = −𝑖 𝑖 6 = −1
𝑖1 = 𝑖 𝑖4 = 1 𝑖 7 = −3𝐸 − 13 − 𝑖
𝑖 2 = −1 𝑖5 = 𝑖 𝑖 8 = 1 − 2𝐸 − 13𝑖

3
 To simplify powers of 𝒊:
By Hand: Divide exponent by 4 and use the remainder!
Clock: ÷ 4

With Calculator: 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 mode

look at first or last or do “ipart”
𝑖 22 = −1 − 2𝐸 −3
Math → NUM → 3: ipart(
𝑖part(𝑖 22 ) = −1

Let’s try simplifying the following:

27
6. 𝑖 27 = −𝑖 − 3𝐸 − 13 − 𝑖 = 6.75 = −𝑖
4

Math → NUM → 3: ipart(𝑖 27 ) = −𝑖

7. 2𝑖 10 + 𝑖 25 − 7𝑖 21 = 2(−1) + (𝑖) − 7(𝑖) = −2 + 𝑖 − 7𝑖 = −2 − 6𝑖

Cannot just plug entire expression into calculator!

8. 𝑖 32 ∙ 𝑖 45 = (1)(𝑖) = 𝑖 𝑜𝑟 𝑖 77 = 𝑖

9. 5𝑖 101 + 2𝑖 14 = 5𝑖 + 2(−1) = 5𝑖 − 2

4
Practice! Complete at least one problem from each row. The stars tell you the
level of difficulty of the question. Challenge yourself!
1 2
10a) 3√−20 b) √−48 c) − √−63
4 3
3 ∙ √−4 ∙ √5 1 2
∙ √−16 ∙ √3 − ∙ √−9 ∙ √7
3 ∙ −2𝑖 ∙ √5 4 3
−6𝑖√5 1 2
∙ −4𝑖 ∙ √3 − ∙ 3𝑖 ∙ √7
4 3
−𝑖√3 −2𝑖√7
11a) 𝑖 5 = −𝑖 b) 2𝑖 + 7𝑖 15
5 𝑖 7 −4𝑖 19
c)
2(𝑖) + 7(−𝑖) −3𝑖 4
55 −𝑖 − 4(−𝑖)
−5𝑖
= 13.75 −3(1)
4
−𝑖 + 4𝑖
−3
3𝑖
−3
−𝑖
12a)√−49 + √−121 b) 14√−45 − 3√−125 2√−48 − 5√3 + 3√−75
7𝑖 + 11𝑖 14√−9√5 − 3√−25√5 2√−16 ∙ 3 − 5√3
18𝑖 14 ∙ 3𝑖√5 − 3 ∙ 5𝑖√5 + 3√−25 ∙ 3
42𝑖√5 − 15𝑖√5 2 ∙ 4𝑖√3 − 5√3 + 3 ∙ 5𝑖√3
27𝑖√5 8𝑖√3 − 5√3 + 15𝑖√3
23𝑖√3 + 5√3
5√3 + 23𝑖√3

5
 Homework 4.1: Intro to Imaginary Numbers

Directions: Express in simplest form in terms of 𝑖.

1. √−36 2. √−12 3. √−18 − 2√−12

4. √−81 + 3𝑖 5. 3√−27 + 4√−48 6. √−49 + √−64 − √−25

7. √−64 + 2√−16 8. √−128

9. State if each of the following numbers is rational, irrational, or imaginary.

3 3
a) √−25 b) √100 c) √20 d) √−8 e) √60

10. What is the value of 2𝑖 8 ? 11. What is the value of 𝑖 10 ?

12. 𝑖 10 + 𝑖 2 13. 𝑖 10 + 𝑖 25

6
 Lesson 4.2: Add, Subtract, and Multiply Complex Numbers

Learning Goals:
1) How do we add and subtract complex numbers?
2) How do we multiply complex numbers?
3) How do we graph complex numbers?

Do Now: In order to prepare for today’s lesson, answer the following questions
below:
a. What is the sum of 3 + 2𝑥 and 5 − 4𝑥? 8 − 2𝑥

b. Express in simplest form: (1 + 3𝑥) − (3 + 2𝑥) = 1 + 3𝑥 − 3 − 2𝑥 = −2 + 𝑥

A complex number is any number that can be expressed in the form

𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖; where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers and 𝑖 is the imaginary unit. Must
be expressed in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.

Examples:
2 + 5𝑖 −4−𝑖 0 + 2𝑖 8 + 5𝑖 2𝑖 + 3 ∗∗ 𝟑 + 𝟐𝒊 − 𝑖 + 7 ∗∗ 𝟕 − 𝒊

Part I: Express complex numbers in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.

a) 3𝑖 + 2 b) −4𝑖 + 1 c) −𝑖 − 5 d) 8𝑖
2 + 3𝑖 1 − 4𝑖 −5 − 𝑖 0 + 8𝑖

Part II: Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers. Answers in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.

1. (2 + 3𝑖) + (5 + 𝑖) = 7 + 4𝑖

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2. (1 + 3𝑖) − (3 + 2𝑖) = 1 + 3𝑖 − 3 − 2𝑖 = −2 + 𝑖

3. Subtract 2 − 13𝑖 from 7 − 5𝑖

7 − 5𝑖
−(2 − 13𝑖)

5 + 8𝑖

4. Subtract 6 − 2𝑖√3 from 5 − 3𝑖√3

5 − 3𝑖 √3
−(6 − 2𝑖√3)

−1 − 𝑖√3

5. (5 + √−36) − (3 − √−16)
5 + 6𝑖 − 3 + 4𝑖
2 + 10𝑖

6. (5 + √−12) + (8 + √−27)

(5 + √−4 ∙ 3) + (8 + √−9 ∙ 3)

(5 + 2𝑖√3) + (8 + 3𝑖√3)

13 + 5𝑖√3

Learning Goal #2: How to Multiply Complex Numbers

Is √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏 always equal to √𝑎𝑏? No, only with real numbers.
Examine the following work and identify all mistakes. Then, resolve the problem
correctly.

8
Simplify: √−6 ∙ √−6

√36 𝑖 √6 ∙ 𝑖 √6
6𝑖 (no) 6𝑖 2
6(−1)
−6 (yes)

When multiplying like bases, what can you do to their exponents? ADD
exponents
2𝑖(𝑖 2 − 𝑖) = 2𝑖 3 − 2𝑖 2 = 2(−𝑖) − 2(−1) = −2𝑖 + 2 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form 2 − 2𝑖

How do you reduce powers of "𝑖"? use 𝑖 rule

2𝑖 3 − 2𝑖 2 = 2(−𝑖) − 2(−1) = −2𝑖 + 2 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form 2 − 2𝑖

7. What is the product of 2 + √−9 and 3 − √−4, expressed in

simplest 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form?
(2 + √−9)(3 − √−4) = (2 + 3𝑖)(3 − 2𝑖) =

6−4𝑖 + 9𝑖 − 6𝑖 2 = 6 + 5𝑖 − 6(−1) = 12 + 5𝑖

8. In an electrical circuit, the voltage, 𝐸, in volts, the current, 𝐼, in amps, and the
opposition to the flow of current, called impedance, 𝑍, in ohms, are related by the
equation 𝐸 = 𝐼𝑍. A circuit has a current of (5 + 𝑖) amps and an impedance of
(−3 + 𝑖) ohms. Determine the voltage in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.
𝐸 =𝐼∗𝑍
𝐸 = (5 + 𝑖)(−3 + 𝑖)
−15 + 5𝑖 − 3𝑖 + 𝑖 2
−15 + 2𝑖 − 1
𝐸 = −16 + 2𝑖

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9. Express (𝑖 3 − 1)(𝑖 3 + 1) in simplest 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form. These are conjugates!
𝑖6 + 𝑖3 − 𝑖3 − 1
−1 − 1
−2

10. Express ((5 − 𝑖) − 2(1 − 3𝑖)) in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.

5 − 𝑖 − 2 + 6𝑖
3 + 5𝑖

Learning Goal #3: How to Graph Complex Numbers.

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11) Locate the point on
the complex plane
corresponding to the
complex number given in
parts (a) – (e). On one
set of axes, label each
point by its identifying
letter. For example, the
point corresponding to
5 + 2𝑖 should be labeled
“a”.
a) 5 + 2𝑖
b) −2 − 4𝑖
c) −𝑖
1
d) +𝑖
2

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 Homework 4.2: Add, Subtract, and Multiply Complex Numbers
1. Melissa and Joe are playing a game with complex numbers. If Melissa has a
score of 5 − 4𝑖 and Joe has a score of 3 + 2𝑖, what is their total score?
(1) 8 + 6𝑖 (2) 8 + 2𝑖 (3) 8 − 6𝑖 (4) 8 − 2𝑖

2. What is the sum of 2 − √−4 and −3 + √−16 expressed in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form?

3. Simplify and express in terms of 𝑖: 2√−32 − 5√−8

4. What is the product of 5 + √−36 and 1 − √−49, expressed in simplest 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖

form?
(1) −37 + 41𝑖 (2) 5 − 71𝑖 (3) 47 + 41𝑖 (4) 47 − 29𝑖

5. The complex number 𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖 is equal to (2 + 𝑖)2 . What is the value of 𝑐?

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6. Two complex numbers are graphed
below. What is the sum of 𝑤 and 𝑢.
Expressed in standard complex form?
(1) 7 + 3𝑖
(2) 3 + 7𝑖
(3) 5 + 7𝑖
(4) −5 + 3𝑖

7) On a graph, if point 𝐴 represents 2 − 3𝑖 and point 𝐵 represents −2 − 5𝑖, which

quadrant contains 3𝐴 − 2𝐵? (1) I (2) II (3) III (4) IV

8) Find the sum of −2 + 3𝑖 and −1 − 2𝑖. Graph the resultant on the

accompanying set of axes.

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 Lesson 4.3: Structure Questions with Complex Numbers

Learning Goals:
1) What are complex conjugates?
2) How do you solve for missing variables in a complex number equation?

What are complex conjugates? Complex conjugates are two complex numbers
that have the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 and 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖.
Identify the complex conjugates of the following complex numbers:
5 + 3𝑖 6 − 2𝑖 −4+𝑖 − 1 − √2𝑖

5 − 3𝑖 6 + 2𝑖 −4−𝑖 − 1 + √2𝑖

What’s true about the product of two complex conjugates? Middle terms cancel
out and you always get a real number.
Example 1: (5 − 7𝑖)(5 + 7𝑖) Example 2: (−3 + 8𝑖)(−3 − 8𝑖)
25 + 35𝑖 − 35𝑖 − 49𝑖 2 9 + 24𝑖 − 24𝑖 − 64𝑖 2
25 − 49(−1) 9 − 64(−1)
25 + 49 9 + 64
74 73
1. Perform the following complex calculation. Express your answer in simplest
form.
(4 + 2𝑖)2 (4 − 2𝑖)2
(4 + 2𝑖)(4 + 2𝑖)(4 − 2𝑖)(4 − 2𝑖) expand it!
(4 + 2𝑖)(4 − 2𝑖)(4 + 2𝑖)(4 − 2𝑖) conjugates!
(16 − 4𝑖 2 )(16 − 4𝑖 2 )
(16 − 4(−1))(16 − 4(−1))
(20)(20)
400
14
Express each of the following in simplest 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.
2
2. ((5 − 𝑖) − 2(1 − 3𝑖)) 3. (3 − 𝑖)(4 + 7𝑖) − ((5 − 𝑖) − 2(1 − 3𝑖))
(5 − 𝑖 − 2 + 6𝑖)2 12 + 21𝑖 − 4𝑖 − 7𝑖 2 − (5 − 𝑖 − 2 + 6𝑖)
(3 + 5𝑖)2 12 + 17𝑖 + 7 − 5 + 𝑖 + 2 − 6𝑖
(3 + 5𝑖)(3 + 5𝑖) 16 + 12𝑖
9 + 15𝑖 + 15𝑖 + 25𝑖 2
9 + 30𝑖 − 25
−16 + 30𝑖

Two complex numbers 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 and 𝒄 + 𝒅𝒊 are equal if and only if 𝒂 = 𝒄 and 𝒃 = 𝒅.

For example: Find the real values of 𝑎 and 𝑏 in each of the following equations.

4. 7 + 2𝑖 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 5. −3 + 𝑏𝑖 = 𝑎 + 8𝑖
7=𝑎 2𝑖 = 𝑏𝑖 −3 = 𝑎 𝑏𝑖 = 8𝑖
2=𝑏 𝑏=8

6. 4𝑖 − 6 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 7. −𝑖 + 𝑎 = 5 + 𝑏𝑖
4𝑖 = 𝑏𝑖 −6=𝑎 −𝑖 = 𝑏𝑖 𝑎=5
4=𝑏 −1 = 𝑏

8. −2 − 𝑎 = 5𝑖 + 𝑏𝑖 9. 3𝑎 + 6 = 8𝑖 − 2𝑏𝑖
−2 − 5𝑖 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 3𝑎 + 2𝑏𝑖 = −6 + 8𝑖
−2 = 𝑎 − 5𝑖 = 𝑏𝑖 3𝑎 = −6 2𝑏𝑖 = 8𝑖
−5 = 𝑏 𝑎 = −2 𝑏=4

15
10. 2(𝑎 + 4) = (3 + 6𝑏)𝑖 11. 8 − 2𝑖 + 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖 = 5 + 3𝑖
2𝑎 + 8 = 3𝑖 + 6𝑏𝑖 3 − 𝑏𝑖 = −𝑎 + 5𝑖
2𝑎 − 6𝑏𝑖 = −8 + 3𝑖 3 = −𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖 = 5𝑖
2𝑎 = −8 − 6𝑏𝑖 = 3𝑖 𝑎 = −3 𝑏 = −5
1
𝑎 = −4 𝑏=−
3

COMMON CORE QUESTIONS

Directions: Find the real values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in each of the following equations
using the fact that if 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 = 𝒄 + 𝒅𝒊, then 𝒂 = 𝒄 and 𝒃 = 𝒅.
12. 5𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑖 = 20 + 9𝑖 13. 2(5𝑥 + 9) = (10 − 3𝑦)𝑖
5𝑥 = 20 3𝑦𝑖 = 9𝑖 10𝑥 + 18 = 10𝑖 − 3𝑦𝑖
𝑥=4 𝑦=3 10𝑥 + 3𝑦𝑖 = −18 + 10𝑖
10𝑥 = −18 3𝑦𝑖 = 10𝑖
−18 −9 10
𝑥= = 𝑦=
10 5 3

14. 3 + 5𝑖 + 𝑥 − 𝑦𝑖 = 6 − 2𝑖 15. 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = (1 − 𝑖)(2 + 8𝑖)

𝑥 − 𝑦𝑖 = 3 − 7𝑖 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 2 + 8𝑖 − 2𝑖 − 8𝑖 2
𝑥=3 − 𝑦𝑖 = −7𝑖 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑖 = 10 + 6𝑖
𝑦=7 𝑥 = 10 𝑦=6

16. 3(7 − 2𝑥) − 5(4𝑦 − 3)𝑖 = 𝑥 − 2(1 + 𝑦)𝑖

21 − 6𝑥 − 20𝑦𝑖 + 15𝑖 = 𝑥 − 2𝑖 − 2𝑦𝑖
21 − 18𝑦𝑖 = 7𝑥 − 17𝑖
21 = 7𝑥 − 18𝑦𝑖 = −2𝑖
1
𝑥=3 𝑦=
9

16
 Homework 4.3: Structure Questions with Complex Numbers
1. Perform the following complex calculations. Express each answer in simplest
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form.
a. (13 + 4𝑖) + (7 + 5𝑖) b. (4 + 𝑖) + (2 − 𝑖) − (1 − 𝑖)

c. −𝑖(2 − 𝑖)(5 + 6𝑖)

2. Find the real values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 in each of the following equations using the
fact that if 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 = 𝒄 + 𝒅𝒊, then 𝒂 = 𝒄 and 𝒃 = 𝒅.
a. −10𝑥 + 12𝑖 = 20 + 3𝑦𝑖 b. 3(4𝑥 + 2) = (8 − 𝑦)𝑖

3. Express in 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 form: (3 − 2𝑦𝑖)(2 + 7𝑖) − [(6 + 5𝑦𝑖) + 2(3 + 4𝑖)]

17