Surds

I'm afraid I'm having a bit of a mental block, and can't remember simple P1 stuff from my AS-year :redface:

Can 2 + √3 be simplified?

I've to add the two complex numbers -2 - 2i and 1 - √3i.

I get -1 - (2 + √3)i , which I'm sure is too complicated :eek:

Reply 1

shrek

2+√3 canot be simplifies. all the other stuff just confuses me as im only doind C1 at the moment sorry. can you have√3i?

Reply 2

Ana

shrek

2+√3 canot be simplifies

Right, thanks - that's what I wanted to hear :biggrin:

all the other stuff just confuses me as im only doind C1 at the moment sorry. can you have√3i?

Yup, i is just the square root of minus 1. "Imaginary numbers" are multiples of i. So although not a number as you know them from C1, it is another type of number.

Reply 3

Simba

Princess Ana

I've to add the two complex numbers -2 - 2i and 1 - √3i.

-2 - 2i + 1 - i√3

= -1 - 2i - i√3

= -1 + i(-2 - √3)

= -1 - i(2 + √3)

Hope this helps,

~~Simba

Reply 4

Angel Interceptor

Simba

-2 - 2i + 1 - i√3

= -1 - 2i - i√3

= -1 + i(-2 - √3)

= -1 - i(2 + √3)

Hope this helps,

~~Simba

She's already figured that out. Ana asked whether you could simplify 2 + √3, ie. could she simplify the bracket of the imaginary part of the answer, to which the answer is no.