Subject Code Math 2 Intermediate Algebra

Module Code 6.0 Radicals and Complex Numbers

Lesson Code 6.5.1 Operations on Complex Numbers
Time Frame 30 Minutes

TARGET
After this lesson, you should be able to perform basic operations on imaginary and complex
numbers.

HOOK TA: 0.5 Minute* ATA**:

This lesson guide will introduce you to operations on complex and imaginary numbers. You will
learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide expressions involving complex numbers. You will
also learn about the complex conjugate and how to rationalize complex numbers.

IGNITE TA: 20 Minutes* ATA**:

We will now begin our lesson on the operations on complex and imaginary numbers. We begin with the
addition and subtraction operations.

EXPLORATION TASK 1: ADDING AND SUBTRACTING RADICALS

Perform the following addition and subtraction operations.
1. 3√5 + (3 + 4√5) =
3
2. √3 + √2 =
5 5
3. √7 − 8 √7 =
3 3
4. 3 √4 − √4 =
5. (−3 + √2) + (5 − 4√2) =

GENERALIZATION
3 5 3
The answers to the previous task are as follows: 1. 3 + 7√5, 2. √3 + √2, 3. − 7 √7, 4. 2 √4, 5. 2 − 3√2

From our previous lessons, we know that adding and subtracting radical expressions is done by adding or
subtracting like terms (e.g., like radicals). Since the imaginary unit is a radical (√−1 ), complex numbers can
be added or subtracted in the same way as radical expressions.

To add or subtract complex numbers, we group together the real parts as one group and the imaginary parts as
another group and perform the operations on each group (Oberio, 2018). Study the example that follows:
(3 + 5𝑖) + (4 − 2𝑖) = (3 + 4) + (5𝑖 − 2𝑖) = 7 + 3𝑖

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As one can see, we grouped 3 and 4 together (real parts) and 5𝑖 and −2𝑖 (imaginary parts) and performed the
operations for each group to get 7 + 3𝑖.

Example 1: Addition and subtraction of complex numbers

1. √−16 + 5 = 4𝑖 + 5 = 5 + 4𝑖

Note that before performing any operation on complex numbers, one should convert the
square root of negative numbers to imaginary numbers. Also, be sure to apply the
distributive property of multiplication over addition correctly when removing grouping
signs.

2. (1 − 2i) + (3 + 5𝑖) = (1 + 3) + (−2𝑖 + 5𝑖) = 4 + 3𝑖

3. (3 − 2i) + (5i − 1) − (2 + 7i) = 3 − 2i + 5i − 1 − 2 − 7i
= (3 − 1 − 2) + (−2i + 5i − 7i)
= 0 + (−4i)
= −4i
1 1 1 1 3
4. (2 − 2𝑖) + (4 − 3𝑖) = 2 − 2𝑖 + 4 − 3𝑖 = 4 − 5𝑖
5. (√2 + 4𝑖) − (2√2 + 𝑖) = √2 + 4𝑖 − 2√2 − 𝑖 = −√2 + 3𝑖

EXPLORATION TASK 2: MULTIPLYING RADICALS

Perform the following multiplication operations.
1. (√5)(√15) =
2. 3√5 (3 + 4√5) =
3. (−3 + √2) (5 − 4√2) =
4. (1 + √3)(2 + √2) =
5. (1 − √7)(1 + √7) =

GENERALIZATION
The answers to the previous task are as follows: 1. 5√3 , 2. 60 + 9√5, 3. −23 + 17√2, 4. 2 + √2 + 2√3 +
√6, 5. −6

Like addition and subtraction, multiplication of complex numbers follows the principles of multiplication of
radical expressions. Study the example that follows:

(3𝑖)(5𝑖) = (3 ⋅ 𝑖 ⋅ 5 ⋅ 𝑖) = 15 ⋅ 𝑖 2 = 15 ⋅ (−1) = −15

Here, we simply multiply 3, 5, and 𝑖 2 together to get −15. Another example of a complex number
multiplication would be:

3𝑖(1 + 2𝑖) = (3𝑖)(1) + (3𝑖)(2𝑖) = 3𝑖 − 6 = −6 + 3𝑖

Here, 3𝑖 is distributed across the expression (1 + 2𝑖) by multiplying 3𝑖 with 1, and 3𝑖 with 2𝑖. Lastly, we
also have:

(3 + 2𝑖)(1 − 𝑖) = (3)(1) + (3)(−𝑖) + (2𝑖)(1) + (2𝑖)(−𝑖) = 3 − 3𝑖 + 2𝑖 + 2 = 5 − 𝑖

This process should be very familiar to you. This is the FOIL method. This method is used when we are
multiplying two complex numbers in the form of (𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖)(𝑐 + 𝑑𝑖).

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Example 2: Multiplication of complex numbers
1. (1 + 𝑖)(2 − 3𝑖) = 2 − 3𝑖 + 2𝑖 + (𝑖)(−3𝑖) = 2 − 3𝑖 + 2𝑖 + 3 = 5 − 𝑖
2. (2𝑖)(3 − 5𝑖) = (2𝑖)(3) + (2𝑖)(−5𝑖) = 6𝑖 + 10 = 10 + 6𝑖
3. (1 − 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖) = 1 + 𝑖 − 𝑖 + 1 = 2
4. √−4 ⋅ √−9 = (2𝑖)(3𝑖) = −6

Note the special product in #3. This is (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑏) = 𝑎 2 − 𝑏2 . So, (1 − 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖) = 12 − (𝑖 2 ) = 2.

When we have the following multiplication: √−𝑥 ⋅ √−𝑦, where 𝑥 and 𝑦

are positive, note that: √−𝑥 ⋅ √−𝑦 ≠ √(−𝑥)(−𝑦) (Hall et. al, 1993, p. 390).
Rather, one should express square roots of negative numbers in terms of 𝑖 first
(Hall et. al, 1993, p. 390). This is illustrated in Example 2 #4. Looking at the
example again, take note that:

√−4 ⋅ √−9 ≠ √(−4)(−9)

Observe how the left-hand side would simplify to:

√−4 ⋅ √−9 = 2𝑖 ⋅ 3𝑖 = −6

Meanwhile, the right-hand side would simplify to:

√(−4)(−9) = √36 = 6

Thus, one should always convert square root of negative numbers in terms of 𝑖
first before performing any operation.

EXPLORATION TASK 3: CONJUGATES

Write the conjugates of the following radical expressions:

1. 5 + √5

2. 3 − √3

3. −1 + 2√2

4. −2 − 3√3

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GENERALIZATION
The correct answers in the task are: 1. 5 − √5, 2. 3 + √3, 3. −1 − 2√2, 4. −2 + 3√3

The conjugate of a radical expression 𝑎 + √𝑏 is 𝑎 − √𝑏. That is, for radical expressions, conjugates have
opposite signs in their radical parts. Complex numbers also have conjugates, and they are called complex
conjugates. In the case of complex numbers, conjugates have opposite signs in their imaginary parts.

Complex Conjugates

The complex conjugate of a complex number 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is as follows:

𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖.

That is, the imaginary part has been negated. The product of a complex number and
its complex conjugate is a real number. To show this, let us perform the following
multiplication:

(𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖)(𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖) = (𝑎)(𝑎) − (𝑎)(𝑏𝑖) + (𝑎)(𝑏𝑖) + (−𝑏𝑖)(𝑏𝑖) = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 ,

where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers. You can observe that this is actually like one of the
special products: difference of two squares. Here, the outer and inner terms in FOIL
cancel each other out.

Study the following example:

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

This is equivalent to:

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

Example 3: Multiplying complex conjugates

2
1. (√3 + 5𝑖)(√3 − 5𝑖) = (√3) − (5𝑖)2 = 3 − 25𝑖 2 = 3 + 25 = 28
2. (−21𝑖)(21𝑖) = 02 − (21𝑖)2 = 441
3. (50 − 𝑖 )(50 + 𝑖) = 502 − (𝑖)2 = 2500 + 1 = 2501
4. (3𝑖)(−3𝑖) = 02 − (3𝑖)2 = 9

EXPLORATION TASK 4: ON RATIONALIZING DENOMINATORS THAT

INVOLVE RADICALS
Recall that to have a simplest form radical expression, there should be no radicals in the denominator.
Rationalize the denominator of each radical expression and write your final answer in simplest form:
1
1. =
√2
1
2. =
−3+√2

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 1
3. =
−1−√3
1+√2
4. =
1−√2
3+√5
5. =
2+√5

GENERALIZATION
√2 −3−√2 1−√3
The correct answers in the task are: 1. , 2. , 3. , 4. −3 − 2√2, 5. −1 + √5 . In simplest
2 7 2
form, there should be no negative signs in the denominator. Also, if the denominator is 1, omit it.

When dividing radicals, we know that our final answers should have no radicals in the denominator. So, we
multiply the numerator and the denominator by a number that would remove the radical in the denominator.
This is what we mean that we have “rationalized” the denominator. This principle holds true for complex
numbers (we want to remove all 𝑖’s in the denominator since 𝑖 is a radical). Look at the following example:

2 2 𝑖 2𝑖
= ⋅ = = −2𝑖
𝑖 𝑖 𝑖 −1

Here, we have 𝑖 in the denominator. So, we multiplied the numerator and the denominator by 𝑖 (in effect, we
𝑖
multiplied the expression by 1, since 𝑖 = 1). This led us to an answer of −2𝑖. There is no more 𝑖 in the
2 −𝑖
denominator. Note that we could have multiplied by and achieve the same result.
𝑖 −𝑖

Here is another example:

1 1 1−𝑖 1−𝑖 1−𝑖

= ⋅ = =
1 + 𝑖 1 + 𝑖 1 − 𝑖 (1 − 𝑖)(1 + 𝑖) 2

In this case, the denominator is 1 + 𝑖. To remove the 𝑖 in the denominator, we need to make the denominator
a real number. We do this by multiplying the denominator by its conjugate (1 − 𝑖) to rationalize the
1
denominator. But we should also multiply (1 − 𝑖) to the numerator. So that we are in effect multiplying 1+𝑖
1 1−𝑖 1−𝑖
by 1. So by multiplying and 1−𝑖 (which is equal to 1), we get the result , which is the equivalent of
1+𝑖 2
1
the given with a rationalized denominator.
1+𝑖

Example 4: Rationalizing denominators that involve complex numbers

5 5 3𝑖 15𝑖 −15𝑖
1. 3𝑖 = 3𝑖 ⋅ 3𝑖 = −9 = 9
5 −3𝑖
(Note that one could achieve the same result by multiplying with instead. Also observe that since
3𝑖 −3𝑖
the denominator above is negative, that is: −9, we have to make it positive by multiplying the numerator
and the denominator by −1.)

1 1 2+2𝑖 2+2𝑖 1+𝑖

2. = 2−2𝑖 ⋅ 2+2𝑖 = =
2−2𝑖 8 4

(Always make sure to check that answers involving fractions are in their simplest possible form. In the
2+2𝑖
above example, when we obtained 8 , we divided the numerator and denominator by their greatest
1+𝑖
common factor 2, to have a final answer in simplest form, . Note further that while the standard form
4
1 𝑖 𝑎+𝑏𝑖
should technically be: + , we will write fractions in form. Please follow this convention.)
4 4 𝑐

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 2−𝑖 2−𝑖 1+5𝑖 7+9𝑖
3. = 1−5𝑖 ⋅ 1+5𝑖 =
1−5𝑖 26

1 −1 −1 1+𝑖 −1−𝑖
4. = 1−𝑖 = 1−𝑖 ⋅ 1+𝑖 =
𝑖−1 2
𝑖+1
(Note that multiplying by immediately will work. But for now, focus on practicing with conjugates
𝑖+1
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 and 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖.)

NAVIGATE TA: 9 Minutes* ATA**:

It is now your time to work on the following problems. Write your answers on the space provided. Even-
numbered items are graded. Odd-numbered items have answers at the end of the lesson.

A. Instructions: Perform the following operations on complex numbers and write in standard form (if the
real part is zero, include zero in the standard form: 0 + 𝑏𝑖; if the imaginary part is zero, include 0𝑖 in the
𝑎+𝑏𝑖
standard form: 𝑎 + 0𝑖). Write your answers in simplest form (for fractions, write them in form).
𝑐

1. (3 + 5𝑖) − (1 − 6𝑖)

2. (11 + 𝑖) + (4 − 7𝑖)

3. (2𝑖)(2 + 9𝑖)

4. (1 − 3𝑖)(4 + 2𝑖)
1−𝑖
5. 𝑖−2

5
6. 3𝑖−1

B. Instructions: Given the required answer.

7. What number do you multiply to 3 + 47𝑖 to get a real number?

8. True or False: √−3 ⋅ √−3 = √9.

9. True or False: 2𝑖 − 1 is the complex conjugate of 2𝑖 + 1

10. What is the complex conjugate of 5𝑖?

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 KNOT TA: 0.5 Minute* ATA**:

KEY POINTS/SUMMARY/INTRO TO SYNTHESIS

In this lesson, you have learned how to do operations on complex numbers and imaginary
numbers. You have learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers.
You have also been introduced to the concept of a complex conjugate and are now able to
rationalize complex numbers (by keeping in mind that 𝑖 is a radical).

REFERENCES:
Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.) Science
LINKS. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.
Hall, B. C., Fabricant, M., & Prentice-Hall, Inc. (1993). Algebra 2 with Trigonometry. Englewood
Cliffs, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Oberio, Z. (2018). Complex Numbers.
PSHS System. (2020). Math 1 Chapter 1 Module Version 2 [PDF]. Philippines: PSHS System.

ANSWERS TO ODD-NUMBERED ITEMS

2 + 11𝑖 1. (3 + 5𝑖) − (1 − 6𝑖)

−18 + 4𝑖 3. (2𝑖)(2 + 9𝑖)
−3 + 𝑖 1−𝑖
5 5. 𝑖−2

3 − 47𝑖 7. What number do you multiply to 3 + 47𝑖 to get a real number?

False 9. True or False: 2𝑖 − 1 is the complex conjugate of 2𝑖 + 1

-END-

Prepared by: David Bryan C. Lao Reviewed by: Zennifer L. Oberio

Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) I Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) IV
Campus: PSHS-Western Visayas Campus Campus: PSHS-Western Visayas Campus

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