Conjugate. The conjugate of z=x+iy is z=x−iy — obtained by flipping the sign of the imaginary part, equivalently by reflecting z across the real axis in the Argand plane. A key fact: the product of a complex number with its own conjugate is always a non-negative real number, zz=(x+iy)(x−iy)=x2+y2.
Ten conjugate properties (each provable directly from the definition, several proved in the text):
z1+z2=z1+z2
z1−z2=z1−z2
z1z2=z1z2
(z2z1)=z2z1,z2=0
Re(z)=2z+z
Im(z)=2iz−z
zn=(z)n, n an integer
z is real⟺z=z
z is purely imaginary⟺z=−z
z=z
Proof idea (property 1): writing z1=x1+iy1,z2=x2+iy2, z1+z2=(x1+x2)−i(y1+y2)=(x1−iy1)+(x2−iy2)=z1+z2. Proof idea (property 9): z=−z⟺x+iy=−(x−iy)=−x+iy⟺2x=0⟺x=0, i.e. z is purely imaginary.
The conjugate is the standard tool for dividing by a complex number: multiplying numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator makes the denominator real (exactly like rationalising a surd).
Modulus. The modulus of z=x+iy, written ∣z∣, is ∣z∣=x2+y2 — the distance from z to the origin in the Argand plane, generalising the real-number absolute value. Note zz=∣z∣2.
Eight modulus properties:
∣z∣=∣z∣
∣z1+z2∣≤∣z1∣+∣z2∣ (Triangle Inequality)
∣z1z2∣=∣z1∣∣z2∣
z2z1=∣z2∣∣z1∣
∣z1−z2∣≥∣z1∣−∣z2∣,z2=0
∣zn∣=∣z∣n, n an integer
Re(z)≤∣z∣
Im(z)≤∣z∣
Triangle inequality proof idea: expand ∣z1+z2∣2=(z1+z2)(z1+z2)=∣z1∣2+2Re(z1z2)+∣z2∣2≤∣z1∣2+2∣z1∣∣z2∣+∣z2∣2=(∣z1∣+∣z2∣)2 (using Re(w)≤∣w∣), then take square roots. Geometrically, this says one side of a triangle with vertices O,z1,z1+z2 cannot exceed the sum of the other two — hence the name. A companion fact: ∣z1−z2∣ is exactly the distance between the two pointsz1,z2 in the plane.
Square roots of a complex number. To find a+ib, set x+iy=a+ib, square both sides, and equate real/imaginary parts: x2−y2=a and 2xy=b. Combined with x2+y2=a2+b2=∣a+ib∣ (taking the positive root since x2+y2>0), solving the pair gives
x=±2∣z∣+a,y=±2∣z∣−a,
with x,ysame sign if b>0 and opposite signs if b<0 (forced by 2xy=b), and both signs together (i.e. ± overall) since −(x+iy) is a square root whenever x+iy is.
Use conjugate property (1) z1+z2=z1+z2 for (i), and rationalise the denominator by multiplying with its conjugate for (ii) and (iii).
(i) simplifies the sum first, then conjugates.
(ii),(iii) clear i from the denominator using zz=∣z∣2.
✓Final answer
(i) 7−5i (ii) 45−45i (iii) 52−514i.
Each part is rewritten in the form x+iy by simplifying the sum/quotient of complex numbers, using the conjugate to clear i from any denominator.
Step 1. Part (i): simplify the sum first.(5+9i)+(2−4i)=7+5i.
Step 2. Part (i): take the conjugate. By Definition 2.3, change i→−i: 7+5i=7−5i.
Step 3. Part (ii): rationalise 6+2i10−5i. Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate 6−2i of the denominator: