Churchill Complex Variables 9e: Section 2 - Exercise 5 Page 1 of 1

Exercise 5
Prove that multiplication of complex numbers is commutative, as stated at the beginning of Sec.
2.

Solution

Here we have to show that

z1 z2 = z2 z1 ,
where z1 and z2 are complex numbers. Use the definition of multiplication of two complex
numbers, equation (4) on page 2.

z1 z2 = (x1 , y1 )(x2 , y2 )

= (x1 x2 − y1 y2 , y1 x2 + x1 y2 )

Use the commutative property of addition for real numbers.

z1 z2 = (x1 x2 − y1 y2 , x1 y2 + y1 x2 )

Use the commutative property of multiplication for real numbers.

z1 z2 = (x2 x1 − y2 y1 , y2 x1 + x2 y1 )

= (x2 , y2 )(x1 , y1 )

= z 2 z1

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