9 Mathematics

Module 1: Radicals& Complex Numbers

Week 1 & 2

What’s inside?

1.1 Rational Exponents

1.2 Simplification of Radicals
1.3 Operations on Radicals
1.4 Equations with Radicals
1.5 Complex Numbers

You should not reproduce or distribute the copy of this module. It is

limited for personal use and all materials are for educational
purposes only.

Prepared by: Jun Carl B. Alenton, LPT, MEd-Math

Introduction
The first module is intended for the prerequisite topics in Grade 9 curriculum. We will start in understanding the concept of radicals,
its rules and characteristics, and the world of complex numbers. These are important because solving equations, functions, and other
problems may result in simplifying radicals. It will be your advantage if you have reviewed/ relearn this topic.

The notation of radicals maybe overwhelming, but it is one of the topics that you need to master in the world of math. Radicals have
real world applications in the field of architecture, carpentry, engineering, and many more. Radical expressions are also utilized in
financial industries to calculate formulas for depreciation, home inflation, and interest. This module will help you explore more
about the topic.
Key Terms: rational exponents, radical, radicand, index, rationalizing, complex numbers
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week 1 Objectives: Study the examples below and recall/review the laws of

Week 1
exponent used in the solutions.
1. Evaluate rational exponents
I. Simplify.
2. Add and subtract radicals 1
3. Simplifying radical expressions 1. 92 = √9 = 𝟑
4. Divide radical expressions 1

5. Solve equations with radicals 2. (−27)3 = 3√−27 = −𝟑

2
3 3
3. 83 = √82 = √64 = 𝟒 or we can solve by
*rational exponents 2
3
Square roots, fourth roots, and all even roots of the positive = ( √8) = (2)2 = 𝟒
numbers occur in pairs (one positive and one negative). In
𝒏
these cases, the notation √𝒃 is used to denote the positive, II. Simplify each of the following quantities. Express the
or principal nth root of b. answers using positive exponents. If an expression does
not represent a real number, explain why.
1
Example: 1. 492 = √49 = 𝟕
4
√16 = 2 The principal fourth root of 16 is 2. 1
4 2. − (492) = −√49 = −𝟕
√16 ≠ −2 The principal fourth root of 16 is not -2
1
1 𝟏
The symbol √ is called the radical sign, and the number 3. 49−2 = √49−1 = √ =
49 𝟕
within the radical sign is the radicand. The natural number n
𝑛 1
used in the notation √ is called the index of the radical. 4. (−49)2 = √−49 =does not represent a real number
because there is no real number 𝑥 such that 𝑥 2 = −49.
Note: For square roots, as you already know in basic algebra,
III. Simplify each of the following. Write the answers using
we have suppressed the index and simply write √ rather
2 the exponents. (assume that 𝒙 > 𝟎)
than √ . 2 3 2 3 𝟏𝟕
1. (5𝑥 3 ) (4𝑥 4 ) = 20𝑥 3+4 = 𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟏𝟐
Example: √25 = 5 2.
1
1 1 5
The concept of nth root gives meaning to fractional exponents. 5
16𝑥 3 16𝑥 3
The definitions are formalized below. √ = ( )
1 1
𝑥4 𝑥4
Principal nth Root 1
1 5
1. Let 𝑏 denote a real number and 𝑛 a natural number = 1 1 1
(16𝑥 ) 12 because − =
3 4 12
𝟏 𝒏 1 1 1
𝒃 𝒏 = √𝒃 = 165 𝑥 (12)(5)
𝟏 𝟏
(if n is even, we require that 𝑏 ≥ 0) = 𝟏𝟔𝟓 𝒙𝟔𝟎
1 4
3. (𝑥 2 + 1)5 (𝑥 2 + 1)5 = (𝑥 2 + 1)1 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏
𝑚
2. Let be a rational number reduced to lowest terms.
𝑛 𝟑
𝑛
Assume that 𝑛 is positive and that √𝑏 exists. Then, IV. Consider the expression √𝒙 √𝒚𝟐 , where 𝒙 and 𝒚 are
positive.
𝒎
𝒏
𝒎
𝒏 𝒎 a. Rewrite the expression using rational exponents
𝒃 𝒏 = √𝒃𝒎 or 𝒃 𝒏 = ( √𝒃) 𝟏 𝟐
3
√𝑥 √𝑦 2 = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟑
 b. Rewrite the expression using only one radical sign.
3 1 2
1.1 Exercise: Rational exponents
√𝑥 √𝑦 2 = 𝑥2𝑦3 True or False. (Write T or F beside each number)
3 4 1. 8−1/3 = −2
= 𝑥 𝑦 6 6 rewriting the fractions using
a common denominator 2. 161/4 = 41/2
6
= √𝑥 √𝑥 4 3 6 1 √3
3. =
√3 3
𝟔
= √𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟒 3 3
4. √75 = 7 √49
V. Rewrite the expression using rational exponents. Assume Write the expression in the two equivalent forms
that 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧 are positive. 𝒏 𝒏 𝒎
√𝒃𝒎 and ( √𝒃)
3 4 3
√𝑥 √𝑦 3 1. 𝑥7
√ 5
√𝑧 4
7
1 2. (𝑎 + 𝑏)10
3 4
√𝑥 √𝑦 3 1 3 2
√ 𝑥 3𝑦 4
5 = ( 4 )
√𝑧 4
𝑧5 Simplify using properties of exponents.
1 1 3 1 1 4
( ) ( ) (2𝑦5 ) 1 7 −4
= 𝑥3 2 𝑦4 2 −
𝑥2 𝑦 4
4 1
( ) 1. 2. ( 5 )
𝑧5 2 𝑦3 −
𝟏 𝟑 𝑦 4
𝒙𝟔 𝒚 𝟖 𝟏 𝟑 𝟐
= 𝟐 or 𝒙𝟔 𝒚𝟖 𝒛𝟓
𝒛𝟓

Practice time:
The First Man to Orbit the Earth
**Adding and subtracting radicals
In 1961, this Russian cosmonaut orbited the earth in a
spaceship. Who was he? To find out, evaluate the following. We can add and subtract radicals if they are similar. The rules
Then write the letter that corresponds to the correct answer on are just the same as with polynomials. Radicals are said to be
the blank below. These letters will spell out the name of this like radicals (or similar radicals) if they have the same index
Russian cosmonaut. and the same radicand; only the coefficients of the like terms
can differ.
1. 𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟏/𝟐 Example: 3√2 + 4√2 = 𝟕√𝟐
LIKE All radicand is 2, index
√2
2. 𝟏𝟔𝟗𝟏/𝟐 −3√2, 5√2, Radicals is 2,
√2 1
= √2
3 3 3
LIKE All radicand is 𝑥𝑦 2 ,
−√𝑥𝑦 2 , 4√𝑥𝑦 2
3. −(𝟒𝟗)𝟏/𝟐 for 𝑥 > 0, 𝑦 > 0 Radicals coefficients are -1 & 4

UNLIKE The radicals are unlike

4. 𝟐𝟏𝟔𝟏/𝟑 7√5, 7 √5
3
because they don’t
Radicals
have the same index.
5. 𝟔𝟐𝟓𝟏/𝟒
Examples: Simplify by collecting like radical terms.
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
6. 𝟗𝟑/𝟐 1. 𝟖 √𝟕 − 𝟕𝒙 √𝟕 + 𝟓 √𝟕
3
= (8 − 7𝑥 + 5) √7
7. 𝟐𝟓𝟏/𝟐 = (𝟏𝟑 − 𝟕𝒙) √𝟕
𝟑

8. 𝟗(𝟐𝟕)𝟏/𝟑 2. √𝟐 − 𝟓 √𝟑 + 𝟒√𝟐
=(1 + 4)√2 − 5√3
9. (−𝟑𝟒𝟑)𝟏/𝟑
= 𝟓√𝟐 − 𝟓√𝟑
10. 𝟑𝟔𝟏/𝟐
3. 𝟑√𝟖 − 𝟓√𝟐
𝟏𝟔 𝟑/𝟒
= 3√(4)(2) − 5√2
11. − (𝟖𝟏) = (3)(√4)(√2) − 5√2
= (3)(2)(√2) − 5√2
= 6√2 − 5√2
= √𝟐
 𝟑 𝟓 𝟓
4. 𝟓 √𝟏𝟔𝒚𝟒 + 𝟕 𝟑√𝟐𝒚 2. (𝟏𝟏 √𝟖𝒙𝟑 )(𝟒 √𝟒𝒙𝟐 )
= 5 3√(8𝑦 3 )(2𝑦) + 7 3√2𝑦 Solution:
5 5 5
= 5( 3√8𝑦 3 )( 3√2𝑦) + 7 3√2𝑦 (11 √8𝑥 3 ) (4 √4𝑥 2 ) = 44 √32𝑥 5
= 5(2𝑦) 3√2𝑦 + 7 3√2𝑦 = 44(2𝑥)
= 10𝑦 3√2𝑦 + 7 3√2𝑦
= 𝟖𝟖𝒙
= (𝟏𝟎𝒚 + 𝟕) 𝟑√𝟐𝒚
3. 𝟐√𝟑(𝟑√𝟑 − 𝟓)
1.2 Exercise: Adding and Subtracting Radicals Solution:
2√3(3√3 − 5) = 2√3(3√3) − (2√3)(5)
1. Simplify by collecting like radical terms.
5 5
a. 6 √4𝑥 + 4 √4𝑥 − √4𝑥 = 6√9 − 10√3
= 6(3) − 10√3
= 𝟏𝟖 − 𝟏𝟎√𝟑
4. (𝟒√𝟏𝟏 − 𝟐)(𝟑√𝟏𝟏 + 𝟕)
Solution:
b. 3√80𝑥 − 2√500𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0 Multiply using FOIL method
(4√11 − 2)(3√11 + 7) = 12√121 + 28√11 − 6√11 − 14
= 12(11) + 22√11 − 14
= 132 + 22√11 − 14

2. What is the perimeter of a triangle with sides = 𝟏𝟏𝟖 + 𝟐𝟐√𝟏𝟏

measuring 3√54 𝑐𝑚 , 4√24 𝑐𝑚 , √102 𝑐𝑚
Conjugate Radicals
The radical expressions √𝑎 + √𝑏 and √𝑎 − √𝑏 are conjugates
of each other.

3 3
Examples:
3. A rectangular walk is √7 m wide and 5 √7 m long. 1. Find the product of √𝟕 + √𝟓 and its conjugate.
What is the perimeter of the walk. Solution:
The conjugate is √7 − √5
2
(√7 + √5)(√7 − √5) = (√7) − (√5)
2

Note that this expression is of the form = 7−5

(𝑥 + 𝑦)(𝑥 − 𝑦) which is equal to 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2
= 𝟐
*** simplifying radical expressions
2. Find the product of √𝒙 − 𝟐 − 𝟑 and its conjugate.
Multiplication of Radicals Solution:
To multiply radicals, we use the product property, which is The conjugate is √𝑥 − 2 + 3
shown below. 2
𝒏 𝒏 𝒏 (√𝑥 − 2 − 3)(√𝑥 − 2 + 3) = (√𝑥 − 2) − (3)2
√𝒙 √𝒚 = √𝒙𝒚
= 𝑥−2−9
for 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑦 > 0
= 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟏
1. The radicals must be of the same order (same index)
Converting radical expressions to an equivalent root
before the radicands can be multiplied.
Examples:
𝟑
2. The product property does not hold true if 𝑛 is even 1. Convert √𝟓 to an equivalent sixth root.
and the radicands rare negative Solution:
1
√𝟓 =
𝟑
3 5
Example: Perform the indicated multiplication, then simplify. 2
1. √𝟗𝒙√𝒙 for 𝑥 > 0 = 56
Solution: 6
= √52
√9𝑥√𝑥 = √9𝑥 2 = 𝟑𝒙 the absolute value notation
is not needed for the answer since 𝑥 > 0 𝟔
= √𝟐𝟓
 2. Convert √𝟐𝒚 for 𝒚 > 𝟎 to an equivalent sixth root. ****Dividing radical expressions
Solution:
1
√𝟐𝒚 = 2(2𝑦) √𝑥 𝑥
Radicals of the form =√ (𝑥 > 0, 𝑦 > 0)
3 √𝑦 𝑦
= (2𝑦) 6
Just remember that this is applicable if radicals do have same
= 6
√(2𝑦)3 index, but it is not always the case and we cannot obtain a
perfect square when we reduce radicals. The best way to do it
𝟔 is by rationalizing the denominator. Relying on the property
= √𝟖𝒚𝟑 𝑛
that √𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0
3. Use the results from examples 1 and 2 to multiply
𝟑
( √𝟓)(√𝟐𝒚). Examples:
Solution: 1. √𝟕 ÷ √𝟏𝟏
6 6
( √𝟓)(√𝟐𝒚) = ( √25)( √8𝑦 3 ) Solution:
𝟑

√7
= 6
√(25)(8𝑦 3 ) √7 ÷ √11 =
√11
√7 √11 Multiply both the numerator and the
= 𝟔
√𝟐𝟎𝟎𝒚𝟑 = ∙ denominator by √11 to make the radicand
√11 √11
in the denominator a perfect square
√𝟕𝟕
=
𝟏𝟏
1.3 Exercise: Simplifying Radicals
2. √𝟐𝒂 ÷ √𝟑𝒃
1. Multiply the following expressions: Solution:
a. √2(5√2 − 1) √2𝑎
√2𝑎 ÷ √3𝑏 =
√3𝑏
√2𝑎 √3𝑏 Multiply both the numerator and the
= ∙ denominator by √3𝑏 to make the radicand
√3𝑏 √3𝑏
in the denominator a perfect square
√𝟔𝒂𝒃
=
𝟑𝒃
b. 3√𝑥(√6𝑥 − 5√𝑥) 𝟑
√𝟓𝒚
3. 𝟑
√𝟒𝒛
Solution:
3 3 Write the numerical coefficient of the
√5𝑦 = √5𝑦 radicand in the denominator as a
3 3
√4𝑧 √22 𝑧 product of prime factors: 4 = 22

3
√2𝑧 2 Multiply both the3 numerator and the
3
√5𝑦
c.
3 3 3
( √2𝑎𝑏2 )( √4𝑎2 𝑐 )( √𝑏𝑐 2 ) = 3 ∙3 denominator by √2𝑧 2 to obtain
√22 𝑧 √2𝑧 2 (22 𝑧)(2𝑧 2 ) = 23 𝑧 3 a perfect cube.

3
√10𝑦𝑧 2
= 3
√23 𝑧 3
𝟑
√𝟏𝟎𝒚𝒛𝟐
=
2 𝟐𝒛
d. (2√3 − √2) 𝟓
√𝟑𝒙
4. 𝟓
√𝟖𝒃𝟐
Solution: Write the numerical coefficient of the
5 5
√3𝑥 = √3𝑥 radicand in the denominator as a
5 5 product of prime factors: 8 = 23
√8𝑏2 √23 𝑏2

5 5
2. Multiply (√𝟐𝒗 + 𝟏 + √𝟑𝒗 − 𝟏) and its conjugate. = √3𝑥 √22 𝑏3 Multiply both the numerator and
5 ∙
2 5
5
the denominator by √22 𝑏 3 to
√23 𝑏 √22 𝑏3
obtain (2 𝑏 )(2 𝑏 ) = 25 𝑏 5
3 2 2 3

5 a perfect fifth power.

√12𝑏3 𝑥
= 5
√25 𝑏5

𝟓
√𝟏𝟐𝒃𝟑 𝒙
=
𝟐𝒃
 √𝟏𝟓𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟐 2. Divide 𝟑𝟎 by 𝟐√𝟏𝟕 + 𝟐√𝟏𝟒
5. √𝟑𝟓𝒙𝒚𝟑 Solution:
Solution: 30 30 15
√𝟏𝟓𝒙𝟐𝒚𝟐 2√17+2√14 = =
√𝟑𝒙(𝟓𝒙𝒚𝟐 ) 2(√17+√14) √17+√14
√𝟑𝟓𝒙𝒚𝟑 = Factor (5𝑥𝑦 2 )
√𝟕𝒚(𝟓𝒙𝒚𝟐 )
= 15 √17−√14
∙
= √𝟑𝒙 √17+√14 √17−√14
√𝟕𝒚
𝟏𝟓(√𝟏𝟕−√𝟏𝟒)
=
√𝟑𝒙 √𝟕𝒚 𝟏𝟕−𝟏𝟒
= ∙
√𝟕𝒚 √𝟕𝒚

𝟏𝟓(√𝟏𝟕−√𝟏𝟒)
√𝟐𝟏𝒙𝒚 =
= 𝟑
𝟕𝒚

* Observe the solutions in the examples. If you noticed, we = 𝟓√𝟏𝟕 − 𝟓√𝟏𝟒

multiply the expression with a fraction of the value of the
denominator.
√𝟑𝒙 √𝟕𝒚
Example ∙
√2𝑎 √3𝑏
or 3𝑏 ∙ 3𝑏 1.4 Exercise: dividing Radicals
√𝟕𝒚 √𝟕𝒚 √ √ 1. Use the quotient rule to divide and simplify, if
possible. Assume that all variables represent positive
Why it will not affect the expression or is it mathematically real numbers.
correct? Explain your answer. √40
__________________________________________________ a.
√5
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
1
b.
√2

Rationalizing a Radical Expression with a Binomial

Denominator
1. Reduce the fraction to the lowest terms
1
2. Multiply both the numerator and denominator of c. 4
√3
the fraction by the conjugate of the denominator.

* For you, why do we need to multiply or use the conjugate

of the denominator to simplify the fractions with binomial
denominator involving square roots? 2. Rationalize the denominator
__________________________________________________ √𝟕−√𝟑
__________________________________________________ a.
√𝟕+√𝟑
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Examples:
𝟔
1. Simplify by rationalizing the denominator.
√𝟕−√𝟓
Solution: 𝟑 𝟓𝒚
6 6 √7+√5 b. √
= ∙ 𝟕𝒙𝟐
√ √5
7− √7−√5 √7+√5

𝟔(√𝟕+√𝟓) 𝟔(√𝟕+√𝟓)
= 2 2 =
(√7) −(√5) 7−5

𝟔(√𝟕+√𝟓)
= 𝟏
2 c. √ 𝒚 𝟐 + 𝒚𝟑
= 𝟑√𝟕 + 𝟑√𝟓
*****Solving equations with radicals 3. Solve √𝒎𝟐 − 𝟒𝒎 + 𝟗 = 𝒎 − 𝟏
2
(√𝑚2 − 4𝑚 + 9) =
Equations that contain variables in the radicand are called (𝑚 − 1)2
radical equations. = m2 − 2𝑚 + 1
𝑚2 − 4𝑚 + 9
Power Rule −4𝑚 + 2𝑚 = 1−9
If both sides of an equation are raised to the same power, all = −8
−2𝑚
solutions of the original equation are also solutions of the new
equation. 𝒎 = 𝟒
Checking:
Steps in solving an equation with radicals
1. Make sure that there is only one radical placed alone √𝑚2 − 4𝑚 + 9 = 𝑚−1
on one side of the equation.
2. Raise each side of the equation to a power that is the √(4)2 − 4(4) + 9 = 4−1
same as the index of the radical 3 = 3
3. Solve the resulting equation. If it still contains a
radical, repeat step 1 and 2. The solution set to the original equation √𝑚2 − 4𝑚 + 9 = 𝑚 − 1 is {𝟒}
4. Check the possible solutions in the original equation
to determine whether they are really solutions or are Summary notes!
extraneous. (be careful not to skip step 4 or you may
In your own words, write the steps and important things to
get an incorrect solution set)
remember when we add/subtract, multiply, and divide
radicals.
Examples ADDING & SUBTRACTING RADICALS
1. Solve √𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒 = 𝟖 ___________________________________________________
√3𝑥 + 4 = ___________________________________________________
8
2 = 82 ___________________________________________________
(√3𝑥 + 4)
___________________________________________________
3𝑥 + 4 = 64 ___________________________________________________
3𝑥 = 60 ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎
___________________________________________________
Checking:
MULTIPLYING RADICALS
√3𝑥 + 4 = 8 ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
√3(20) + 4 = 8
___________________________________________________
8 = 8 ___________________________________________________
Since the solution is verified, the solution set to the original ___________________________________________________
equation √3𝑥 + 4 = 8 is {𝟐𝟎} ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
2. Solve √𝟐𝒚 + 𝟑 + 𝟓 = 𝟎 ___________________________________________________
= ___________________________________________________
√2𝑦 + 3 −5 ___________________________________________________
(√2𝑦 + 3)
2 = (−5)2
DIVIDING RADICALS
2𝑦 + 3 = 25 ___________________________________________________
= 22 ___________________________________________________
2𝑦
___________________________________________________
𝒚 = 𝟏𝟏 ___________________________________________________
Checking: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
√2(11) + 3 + 5 = 0 ___________________________________________________
√25 + 5 = 0 ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
10 = 0 is FALSE
___________________________________________________
NO SOLUTION. The solution set is the null set.∅
1.5 Exercise: solving quadratic equation
4
Solve each equation/problem. 4. Multiply and Simplify. (√3 − √9)
1. −√𝑦 − 3 + 4 = 2 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞.

2. √3𝑦 + 1 = √2𝑦 + 6

3. √𝑦 2 + 𝑦 + 11 − 𝑦 = 1 𝟒 𝟒
5. Simplify √𝒙𝟓 − 𝒙𝟒 + 𝟑 √𝒙𝟗 − 𝒙𝟖

4. The square root of the sum of 𝑥 and 5 is equal to 3.

1.1 PROBLEM SET: RADICAL EXPRESSIONS AND

6. Simplify the radical expression by rationalizing the
EQUATIONS denominator.
−4
1
−
𝑎2 𝑏 4
7 √𝒙 + √𝒙 + 𝒚
1. Simplify( 3 )
−
𝑐 4 √𝒙 − √𝒙 + 𝒚

𝟒
2. Simplify √𝟖𝟏𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟐 𝒛𝟔 ,

7. Solve the equation and check.

𝟏 𝒙+𝟐
=
𝟐 √𝟒𝒙 + 𝟕𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟐

3. Find the perimeter of the triangle if the sides

4 6
measure 8√2𝑎𝑏 , 3 √4𝑎2 𝑏2 , 2 √8𝑎3 𝑏3
 Week 2 Like radicals, complex numbers play an
important role in our lives. Some of its
Simplify:
1. 𝑖 29 = 𝑖 (4)(7)+1 = (𝑖 4 )7 ∙ 𝑖 1 = 17 ∙ 𝑖 = 𝒊
real-life applications are in the field of electricity and
quadratic equations. Imaginary numbers in quadratic planes We note that 29 divided by 4 gives a quotient of 7
show up in equations that do not touch the x axis. You cannot and a remainder of 1. Thus, 29 = 4 ∙ 7 + 1
find imaginary numbers in the number line but still
considered as “REAL Numbers” because it has it is role in the 2. 𝑖 55 = 𝑖 (4)(13)+3 = (𝑖 4 )13 ∙ 𝑖 3 = 113 ∙ −𝑖 = −𝒊
world and particularly useful in advanced calculus.
Power of 𝒊
If n is a natural number that has a nonzero remainder of 𝑟
Week 2 Objectives
when divided by 4, then
1. Simplify numbers in the form of √−𝑏, where 𝑏 > 0 𝒊𝒏 = 𝒊𝒓
2. Find power of 𝑖
3. Recognize imaginary complex numbers When 𝑛 is divisible by 4, then 𝒊𝒏 = 𝟏.
4. Write complex numbers
5. Perform operations on complex numbers
***complex numbers
A complex number is either a real number or an imaginary
*simplifying √−𝒃 number 𝑖 but not both. It is a combination of real number and
an imaginary number (pure imaginary), that is, any number
What is the value of the variable in the equation 𝑥 2 = −1 to that can be written in the standard form and defined as,
make it true?
If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers and 𝑖 = √−1, then
If you are thinking that there is no real number x that will
satisfy the equation, then you are partly correct not but until
real term 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 imaginary term
mathematicians define the number 𝒊 so that 𝑖 2 = −1. We
use 𝑖 to represent √−1. This is developed in the seventeenth
century and called as IMAGINARY NUMBERS.
If 𝑏 = 0 , it is just a real number
If 𝑎 = 0 , 𝒃𝒊 is pure imaginary
Imaginary Unit 𝒊
𝒊 = √−𝟏 so 𝑖 2 = −1
Complex Numbers
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, 3 + 2𝑖, 4𝑖, 0,10
For any positive real number 𝑥, √−𝒙 = 𝒊√𝒙

Write each imaginary number in terms of 𝑖.

1. √−36 = 𝑖√36 = 𝑖 (6) = 𝟔𝒊 Real Numbers Imaginary Numbers
1/2, −10 , 3.22, 99, 0 𝑖, 7𝑖, −11𝑖, −1
2. √−11 = 𝒊√𝟏𝟏

3. √−75 = 𝑖√75 = 𝑖√(25)(3) = 𝟓𝒊√𝟑 Real Coefficient of the

Example Imaginary term
Classification
term
𝟑 − 𝟒𝒊 3 −4 Imaginary
Take Note: The expression √11𝑖 is often written as 𝑖√11 to
𝟔 = 6 + 0𝑖 6 0 Real
make it clear that 𝑖 is not part of the radicand. Remember
−𝟕𝒊 = 0 − 7𝑖 0 −7 Pure Imaginary
that √11𝑖 ≠ √11𝑖
𝟎 = 0 + 0𝑖 0 0 Real
−5 0 Real
**power of 𝒊 −√𝟐𝟓 = −5 + 0𝑖
√−𝟐𝟓 = 0 + 5𝑖 0 5 Pure Imaginary
Let us find a pattern! Consider the examples below.
𝑖 1 = √−1 = 𝒊 𝑖 5 = 𝑖 4 𝑖 = 1𝑖 = 𝒊
2
𝑖 2 = (√−1) = −𝟏 𝑖 6 = 𝑖 4 𝑖 2 = 1(−1) = −𝟏 ****operations on complex numbers
3 2
𝑖 = 𝑖 𝑖 = (−1)𝑖 = −𝒊 𝑖 7 = 𝑖 4 𝑖 3 = 1(−𝑖 ) = −𝒊
4 2 2
𝑖 = 𝑖 𝑖 = (−1)(−1) = 𝟏 𝑖 8 = 𝑖 4 𝑖 4 = 1 (1 ) = 𝟏 Since complex numbers consist of two terms (a real term and
an imaginary term) the operations of complex number is the
What have you observed with 𝑖 as we increase the exponent? same as with the operation of binomials.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________ ADD/ SUBTRACT COMPLEX NUMBERS
__________________________________________________ When we add or subtract complex numbers,
__________________________________________________ group real terms and the imaginary terms and
perform the operations.
 6. (𝟑 + 𝟓𝒊)(𝟑 − 𝟓𝒊) = 32 − (5𝑖)2
Examples: Perform the indicated operation. = 9 − 25𝑖 2
1. (𝟕 + 𝟏𝟑𝒊) + (𝟐 + 𝟒𝒊) = (7 + 2) + (13𝑖 + 4𝑖) = 9 − 25(−1)
= 9 + (13 + 4)𝑖 = 9 + 25
= 𝟗 + 𝟏𝟕𝒊 = 𝟑𝟒

2. (𝟕 + 𝟏𝟑𝒊) − (𝟐 − 𝟒𝒊) = (7 − 2) + (13𝑖 − (−4𝑖)) DIVIDE COMPLEX NUMBERS AND ITS CONJUGATES
= 5 + (13 + 4)𝑖 The conjugate of a complex number 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊 is 𝒂 − 𝒃𝒊 , and
= 𝟓 + 𝟏𝟕𝒊 the conjugate of 𝒂 − 𝒃𝒊 is 𝒂 + 𝒃𝒊

MULTIPLY COMPLEX NUMBERS Divide and simplify to the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖

When we multiply nonreal complex numbers, the property −𝟓+𝟗𝒊
1. 𝟏−𝟐𝒊
√𝒂√𝒃 = √𝒂𝒃 DOES NOT hold in general, but it does hold to obtain a real-number denominator, we will multiply both the
when 𝒂 = −𝟏 and 𝒃 is a nonnegative number. In our numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of 1 − 2𝑖; that
solution, we first express them in terms of 𝒊. 1+2𝑖
is , which is just equal to 1
1+2𝑖
Example: −5+9𝑖 −5+9𝑖 1+2𝑖
√−2√−5 = (√−1 ∙ √2)(√−1 ∙ √5) = ∙
1−2𝑖 1−2𝑖 1+2𝑖
= (𝑖√2)(𝑖√5) (−5+9𝑖)(1+2𝑖)
= (𝑖√2)(𝑖√5) =
(1−2𝑖)(1+2𝑖)
= 𝑖 2 √10 −5−10𝑖+9𝑖+18𝑖 2
= −𝟏√𝟏𝟎 =
12 −(2𝑖)2

Note: √−2√−5 = √(−2)(−5) = √10 is WRONG! −5−1𝑖+18(−1)

=
1−4𝑖 2
Multiply and Simplify.
−5−18−𝑖
To avoid mistakes, always put complex numbers in the form =
1−4(−1)
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 before doing any computation.
−23−𝑖
1. √−𝟗 ∙ √−𝟑𝟔 = (√−1 ∙ √9)(√−1 ∙ √36) =
5
= (𝑖 ∙ 3)(𝑖 ∙ 6)
= 18𝑖 2 −𝟐𝟑 𝟏
= − 𝒊
= 18(−1) 𝟓 𝟓
= −𝟏𝟖

𝟕−𝟑𝒊 7+3𝑖 −5𝑖

2. √−𝟓 ∙ √−𝟕 = (√−1 ∙ √5)(√−1 ∙ √7) 2. = ∙
𝟓𝒊 5𝑖 −5𝑖
= (𝑖 ∙ √5)(𝑖 ∙ √7)
(7+3𝑖)(−5𝑖)
= 𝑖 2 ∙ √35 =
(5𝑖)(−5𝑖)
= (−1)√35
= −√𝟑𝟓 −35𝑖−15𝑖 2
=
−25𝑖 2
3. −𝟑𝒊 ∙ 𝟖𝒊 = −24 ∙ 𝑖 2
−35𝑖−15(−1)
= −24 ∙ −1 =
−25(−1)
= 𝟐𝟒
−35𝑖+15
4. −𝟒𝒊(𝟑 − 𝟓𝒊) = (−4𝑖)(3) − (−4𝑖)(5𝑖 ) =
25
= −12𝑖 + 20𝑖 2
= −12𝑖 + 20(−1) −35𝑖 15
= −12𝑖 − 20 = +
25 25
= −𝟐𝟎 − 𝟏𝟐𝒊
𝟑 𝟕
2
= − 𝒊
5. (𝟑 + 𝟓𝒊)(𝟏 + 𝟐𝒊) = 3 + 6𝑖 + 5𝑖 + 10𝑖 𝟓 𝟓
= 3 + 11𝑖 + 10𝑖 2
= 3 + 11𝑖 + 10(−1)
= 3 − 10 + 11𝑖
= −𝟕 + 𝟏𝟏𝒊
2.1 EXERCISE ABOUT COMPLEX NUMBERS
Do what is asked. 2.1 PROBLEM SET: COMPLEX NUMBERS
I. Simplify. 1. Perform the indicated operation:
a. 𝑖 34
a. (4 − 𝑖) + (3 + 2𝑖)

b. 𝑖 100

b. 6 − (−2 + 9𝑖) + (−8 + 4𝑖)

II. Write −√−121 in terms of 𝑖 and simplify if needed.

c. (6 + 3𝑖)(6 − 3𝑖)

III. Perform the indicated operation. Write your answers in 5+3𝑖

standard form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖. d. 1−2𝑖
a. √−500 + √−45

10+6𝑖
e.
5𝑖

b. (−4 − 7𝑖 ) + (15 + 24𝑖) − (1 − 𝑖)

2+3𝑖 𝑖
f. + 1−𝑖
2−3𝑖
2−3𝑖
c.
5+2𝑖

𝑖 2+𝑖
2. Simplify: (1+𝑖 + 2−𝑖 ) 𝑖

Sources:
Blitzer, R. (2004). Algebra and Trigonometry (2nd Edition). New Jersey: 3. Simplify:
Pearson Education, Inc Asia.
Chua, S. L., Aguilar, I. C., Sy Tan, J. L., Degulacion, R. J., & Ubarro, A. D. (2018). a. (−𝑖 )56
Soaring 21st Century Mathematics. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.
Larson, R., Boswell , L., Kanold, T. D., & Stiff, L. (2001). Algebra 2. Illinois:
McDougal Littell Inc.
b. −𝑖 24