{{ 'ml-label-loading-course' | message }}
{{ toc.name }}
{{ toc.signature }}
{{ tocHeader }} {{ 'ml-btn-view-details' | message }}
{{ tocSubheader }}
{{ 'ml-toc-proceed-mlc' | message }}
{{ 'ml-toc-proceed-tbs' | message }}
Lesson
Exercises
Recommended
Tests
An error ocurred, try again later!
Chapter {{ article.chapter.number }}
{{ article.number }}. 

{{ article.displayTitle }}

{{ article.intro.summary }}
Show less Show more expand_more
{{ ability.description }} {{ ability.displayTitle }}
Lesson Settings & Tools
{{ 'ml-lesson-number-slides' | message : article.intro.bblockCount }}
{{ 'ml-lesson-number-exercises' | message : article.intro.exerciseCount }}
{{ 'ml-lesson-time-estimation' | message }}
When solving quadratic equations, it is common to come across equations without a solution — also said to have no solution. For example, has no solution because no real number exists such that squaring it results in a negative number. Wait, what about numbers that are not real? Are there numbers other than real ones? This lesson will teach and explore such non-real numbers.

Catch-Up and Review

Here are a few recommended readings to do before beginning this lesson.

Try these practice exercises to warm up for this lesson.

a What are the solutions to the equation
b How many real solutions does the equation have?
c How many real solutions does the equation have?
Challenge

Non-real Solutions to Quadratic Equations

Group the following equations depending on whether they have real solutions.
Quadratic Equations: x^2+x-2=0; x^2 = 15; x^2-4x+16=0; x^2=-16; 2x^2-7=1; x^2-2x+5=0
Although the equations grouped on the right-hand side do not have real solutions, using the Quadratic Formula, their solutions can be written in terms of square roots of negative numbers. With this in mind, pair each of the following equations with its solutions. Be aware that the numeric expressions on the right-hand side column are not real, but they solve the equations.
Discussion

Expanding the Real Numbers Set

When solving equations, it is possible to encounter equations that do not have a solution in a certain number system. This does not mean that these equations will remain unsolved forever, but that a solution cannot be reached with numbers in the known number system.
These situations have led mathematicians to define more general number systems where such equations can be solved. The table shows some examples.
Equation Unsolvable in Solvable in
Natural numbers Integer numbers
Integer numbers Rational numbers
Rational numbers Irrational numbers
Real numbers

Equations like do not have real solutions. At this point, the big question is: Does a number system more general than the real number system in which such equations can be solved exist?

Is it possible to expand the real number system so that has solutions?

Mathematicians' minds were occupied with such questions for years. Finally, they figured out that calling the solution of allowed them to solve any equation — the solutions could be real numbers or combinations of real numbers and This led them to create the imaginary unit. The term imaginary was coined by René Descartes in

Concept

The Imaginary Unit

The imaginary unit is the principal square root of that is, From this definition, it can also be said that

Imaginary Unit
or

The imaginary unit can also be regarded as a solution to the equation
The imaginary unit allows to rewrite the square root of any negative number. Once replaces the square root of the square root of the remaining positive number can be evaluated as usual.

The above property is true only when Here are some examples of how to use the property to simplify radical expressions.
The combination of real numbers and any expression of the form with creates a new set of numbers called imaginary numbers.
Pop Quiz

Rewriting Square Roots of Negative Numbers

Rewrite each given radical expression in terms of the imaginary unit Write the answer in the form where is a non-zero integer and is a natural number such that cannot be simplified further.
Random radical expressions

Extra

How to Input the Answer
  • If the left box must be left empty.
  • If the left box must contain only the minus sign
  • If the radical symbol must not be included.
Example

Real World Situations With Imaginary Solutions

Tadeo just learned that imaginary numbers are given that name because they do not exist in the real world — they are imaginary. Therefore, if an equation that models a real-life situation has imaginary solutions, then it cannot be solved in the real world. To illustrate this concept, Tadeo's math teacher drew the following polygons and asked three questions.

A square with side x and a right triangle with legs 3 and 4.
a If the sum of the areas of both polygons is equal to square centimeters, what are all the possible values for
b If the sum of the area of the square and twice the are of the triangle is equal to square centimeters, what are all the possible values for
c If the sum of the are of the square and three times the are of the triangle is equal to square centimeters, what are all the possible values for

Hint

a The area of a square equals the side length squared and the area of a right triangle equals half the product of the lengths of the legs. When solving the equation, remember that for
b This time the area of the triangle must be multiplied by Remember, if then Note that the imaginary unit is outside of the radical symbol.
c Multiply the area of the triangle by To simplify rewrite as and use the Product Property of Square Roots.

Solution

a The area of a square is equal to the side length squared. Whereas the area of a right triangle is half the product of the lengths of its legs. With this in mind, the areas of the polygons drawn by Tadeo's teacher can be written algebraically.
Square Triangle
Area Formula
Substitution
The sum of these areas has to be set equal to
Next, substitute the corresponding expressions and solve the resulting equation for

Note that the radicand of the final expression is negative, implying that is an imaginary number. Recall how the square root of a negative number is rewritten.
By applying this property, the right-hand side can now be written as imaginary numbers.
For the given situation, there are two imaginary solutions — namely, and
b As shown in Part A, the areas of the given polygons are given by the following expressions.
Square Triangle
Area
This time, however, the area of the square has to be added to the area of the triangle, and their sum has to be equal to square centimeters.
Now, substitute the corresponding expressions and solve the equation for

Since the radicand is negative, it can be rewritten in terms of the imaginary unit.
Once more, there are two imaginary solutions to the given situation — namely, and
c For this third situation, the area of the square must be added to times the area of the triangle, and their sum must be equal to square centimeters.
Substitute the expressions for the areas that were shown in Part A and solve the equation for

Again, the radicand is negative but can be rewritten using the imaginary unit.
For the third time, the two solutions found are imaginary numbers — namely, and
Note that all the solutions to the situations presented by Tadeo's teacher are imaginary. Therefore, even though the equations representing the situations have solutions, those solutions do not make sense in the real world — Tadeo cannot draw a square using the dimensions found.
Discussion

Powers of

Continuing with Tadeo's journey into this new universe of imaginary numbers, he wonders if it is possible to use them in a similar way as real numbers. Too excited to wait until the next class, he writes the definition of the imaginary unit.
Tadeo notices that the mere definition gives him two different powers of — namely, and This motivates him to compute other powers of Since he knows that any non-zero number raised to the zero power equals he decides to check whether this is true for the imaginary unit too.
It seems like the Zero Exponent Property is also true for the imaginary unit. Next, Tadeo continues with By using the Product of Powers Property, he rewrites as the product of and
Tadeo then writes down the powers in a more organized way so can better analyze them.
i^0=1, i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, and i^3=-i
Tadeo notices that the results alternate between a real number and an imaginary number. He wonders if this might be a pattern. To verify his suspicions, he goes on to find the next four powers of Once again, he will apply the Product of Powers Property.
Tadeo's intuition was correct! The powers of alternate between a real and an imaginary number. When the exponent is even, the result is a real number, while odd exponents produce imaginary results. And there is more! After comparing the first group of powers through with the second group of powers through Tadeo is on to discovering something spectacular.
i^0=1, i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, i^3=-i; i^4=1, i^5 = i, i^6 = -1, and i^7=-i
The results of the second group are the same as the first. This amazed Tadeo so much that he emailed his teacher right away. Excited by Tadeo's discovery, the teacher responded that this pattern repeats over and over in cycles of and allows finding any power of Shocking, right?
Discussion

Looking for a Pattern

With the purpose of mastering the calculus of powers of Tadeo asked his teacher to give him a homework problem. As such, the teacher asked him to find

Find the value of i^(34).
Initially, Tadeo plans to find all the way to but he realizes that would take forever! For that reason, he decides to analyze the values of the first powers of — values he already knows. Because the cycle repeats every four iterations, he thinks there is a relation between the exponents to the number
0 and 4 are both multiples of 4; 1 and 5 equal to a multiple of 4 plus 1; 2 and 6 are equal to a multiple of 4 plus 2; 3 and 7 are equal to a multiple of 4 plus 3.
Tadeo concludes that because of the recognized pattern, it is convenient to divide the given exponent from the homework problem by and depending on the remainder, he will find the result.
Finding
If the remainder of is Then, is equal to
Therefore, to find the value of , his first move is to divide by
The result is not an integer. This implies that is not a multiple of However, the integer part of the result, which is gives him a clue as to how can be rewritten.
From this, the remainder is Consequently, the value of is the same as the value of
Right after finding the value of the teacher asked Tadeo how his homework is going. Tadeo told him how he solved the exercise and the teacher was so happy about it. His teacher also told him that he could solve the problem using the Product of Powers Property. Oh, teachers and their math tricks!
Simplify
So far, Tadeo has discovered how to calculate different powers of which encourages him to continue exploring how to operate with imaginary numbers.
Pop Quiz

Calculating Powers of

Compute the required power of

Random powers of i
Discussion

Imaginary and Complex Numbers

The imaginary unit which is equal to not only allows square roots to be used in calculations of negative numbers, it also allows for the construction of the set of imaginary numbers.

Concept

Imaginary Numbers

The set of imaginary numbers, represented by the symbol is formed by all the numbers that can be written as where is any real number, is a non-zero real number, and is the imaginary unit.

A complex number a+bi is shown in a green flag. The information that a and b are real numbers and b is not equal to 0 is given below the flag.
All sets of numbers known so far can be organized as follows.
Diagram with Real Numbers and Imaginary Numbers at the top. From the Real Numbers box, two boxes are derived, the Rational and Irrational Numbers. Below the Rational Numbers box, the Integer box is drawn, below it the Whole Numbers box is drawn, and below it, the Natural Numbers box is drawn.
Additionally, imaginary numbers and real numbers can be grouped into a single set called the set of complex numbers.
Concept

Complex Numbers

The set of complex numbers, represented by the symbol is formed by all numbers that can be written in the form where and are real numbers, and is the imaginary unit. Here, is called the real part and is called the imaginary part of the complex number.

Breakdown of a complex number z=a+bi where a is the real part and b is the imaginary part; Re(z)=a, Im(z)=b.
If the number is an imaginary number. Conversely, if the number is real. Additionally, if and the number is a pure imaginary number. Both real and imaginary numbers are subsets of the complex number set.
A big set divided into two parts. The left-hand part is the Real Numbers set; the right-hand part is the Imaginary Numbers set; inside the Imaginary Numbers set, there is a small set labeled as the Pure Imaginary Numbers set.
Two complex numbers are equal if and only if their real parts are equal and their imaginary parts are equal.

Discussion

Combining Complex Numbers

Now that Tadeo figured out the pattern for the powers of he feels confident in learning the other mathematical operations for complex numbers. He heads to the library, asks for a math textbook, explores the text and charts for a few minutes, and focuses on the following.

Method

Adding and Subtracting Complex Numbers

Two complex numbers and can be added or subtracted by using the commutative and associative properties of real numbers. To add or subtract two complex numbers, combine their real parts and their imaginary parts separately.


Consider for example the complex numbers and To add and the above formula can be used or, equivalently, the next three steps can be followed. In a similar way the numbers can be subtracted.
1
Separate Real Parts From Imaginary Parts
expand_more
Applying the commutative and associative properties of real numbers, group the real parts on the left and the imaginary parts on the right.
2
Combine Real Parts
expand_more
Next, combine the real parts.
3
Combine Imaginary Parts
expand_more
Finally, combine the imaginary parts. It could be convenient to factor out first, and then combine the remaining numbers.
Consequently,
Note that the complex numbers are closed under addition and subtraction — that is, the sum or difference of two complex numbers is always a complex number. If