SEARCH HOME
Math CentralQuandaries & Queries

search

Question from sofia, a parent:

Compute the given arithmetic expression and give the answer in the form a + bi where a,b element in R.
1. (1 - i)^5

Hi Sofia,

I am going to work with 3 - 2i.

(3 - 2i)2 = 32 - 12i + (-2i)2 = 9 - 12i + 4i2 = 9 - 12i - 4 = 5 - 12i

(3 - 2i)3 = (5 - 12i)(3 - 2i) = 15 - 46i + (-12i)(-2i) = 15 - 46i + 24i2 = 15 - 46i - 24 = -9 - 46i

(3 - 2i)5 = (3 - 2i)2(3 - 2i)3 = (5 - 12i)(-9 - 46i) = ···

Now you try (1 - i)5

Harley

About Math Central
 

 


Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.
Quandaries & Queries page Home page University of Regina PIMS