Solving the Complex Equation: (1+i)(x+iy) = 2-5i
This article will walk you through the process of solving the complex equation (1+i)(x+iy) = 2-5i. We will use the fundamental properties of complex numbers to isolate the real and imaginary components and find the values of x and y.
Understanding Complex Numbers
Before we dive into the solution, let's recall some key points about complex numbers:
- Form: Complex numbers are expressed in the form a + bi, where 'a' and 'b' are real numbers, and 'i' is the imaginary unit (√-1).
- Multiplication: When multiplying complex numbers, we distribute just like we would with any binomial: (a + bi)(c + di) = ac + adi + bci + bdi² = (ac - bd) + (ad + bc)i.
Solving the Equation
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Expand the left side: (1 + i)(x + iy) = 1(x) + 1(iy) + i(x) + i(iy) = (x - y) + (x + y)i
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Equate real and imaginary components: Since the equation states that the left side is equal to 2-5i, we can equate the real and imaginary components:
- x - y = 2
- x + y = -5
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Solve the system of equations: We now have two linear equations with two unknowns. We can solve this system using various methods, such as substitution or elimination. Let's use elimination:
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Add the two equations together: (x - y) + (x + y) = 2 - 5 2x = -3 x = -3/2
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Substitute the value of x back into either of the original equations to solve for y. Let's use the first equation: (-3/2) - y = 2 -y = 7/2 y = -7/2
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Solution
Therefore, the solution to the complex equation (1+i)(x+iy) = 2-5i is:
- x = -3/2
- y = -7/2
This can be expressed in complex number form as: x + iy = -3/2 - 7/2i