Imaginary Numbers (Definition, Rules, Operations, & Examples) (2024)

Imaginary numbers are numbers that are not real. We know that the quadratic equation is of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where the discriminant is b² – 4ac. Whenever the discriminant is less than 0, finding square root becomes necessary for us. Here, we are going to discuss the definition of imaginary numbers, rules and its basic arithmetic operations with examples.

Imaginary Numbers Definition

Imaginary numbers are the numbers when squared it gives the negative result. In other words, imaginary numbers are defined as the square root of the negative numbers where it does not have a definite value. It is mostly written in the form of real numbers multiplied by the imaginary unit called “i”.

Let us take an example: 5i

Where

5 is the real number and i is the imaginary unit.

When this number 5i is squared, we will get the negative result as -25. Because the value of i ²is -1. This means thatthe√-1 = i.

The notation “i” is the foundation for all imaginary numbers. The solution written by using this imaginary number in the form a+bi is known as a complex number. In other words, a complex number is one which includes both real and imaginary numbers.

What is Complex Number?

Complex numbers are the combination of both real numbers and imaginary numbers. The complex number is of the standard form: a + bi

Where

a and b are real numbers

i is an imaginary unit.

Real Numbers Examples : 3, 8, -2, 0, 10

Imaginary Number Examples: 3i, 7i, -2i, √i

Complex Numbers Examples: 3 + 4 i, 7 – 13.6 i, 0 + 25 i = 25 i, 2 + i.

Imaginary Number Rules

Consider an example, a+bi is a complex number. For a +bi, the conjugate pair is a-bi. The complex roots exist in pairs so that when multiplied, it becomes equations with real coefficients.

Consider the pure quadratic equation: x ² = a, where ‘a’ is a known value. Its solution may be presented as x = √a. Therefore, the rules for some imaginary numbers are:

• i = √-1
• i² = -1
• i³ = -i
• i⁴ = +1
• i⁴ⁿ = 1
• i^4n-1= -i

Operations on Imaginary Numbers

The basic arithmetic operations in Mathematics are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Let us discuss these operations on imaginary numbers.

Let us assume the two complex numbers: a + bi and c + di.

Addition of Numbers Having Imaginary Numbers

When two numbers, a+bi, and c+di are added, then the real parts are separately added and simplified, and then imaginary parts separately added and simplified. Here, the answer is (a+c) + i(b+d).

Subtraction of Numbers Having Imaginary Numbers

When c+di is subtracted from a+bi, the answer is done like in addition. It means, grouping all the real terms separately and imaginary terms separately and doing simplification. Here, (a+bi)-(c+di) = (a-c) +i(b-d).

Multiplication of Numbers Having Imaginary Numbers

Consider (a+bi)(c+di)

It becomes:

(a+bi)(c+di) = (a+bi)c + (a+bi)di

= ac+bci+adi+bdi²

= (ac-bd)+i(bc+ad)

Division of Numbers Having Imaginary Numbers

Consider the division of one imaginary number by another.

(a+bi) / ( c+di)

Multiply both the numerator and denominator by its conjugate pair, and make it real. So, it becomes

(a+bi) / ( c+di) = (a+bi) (c-di) / ( c+di) (c-di) = [(ac+bd)+ i(bc-ad)] / c² +d².

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