Subtracting Complex Numbers: A Step-by-Step Guide
This article will guide you through the process of subtracting complex numbers, specifically focusing on the expression (12 + 4i) - (3 - 7i).
Understanding Complex Numbers
Before diving into the subtraction, let's quickly review what complex numbers are:
- Complex numbers are numbers that can be expressed in the form a + bi, where 'a' and 'b' are real numbers, and 'i' is the imaginary unit, defined as the square root of -1.
Subtracting Complex Numbers
To subtract complex numbers, we simply subtract the real and imaginary components separately. Here's how it works:
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Distribute the negative sign: Remember that subtracting a complex number is equivalent to adding its negative. Therefore, we can rewrite the expression as:
(12 + 4i) + (-3 + 7i)
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Combine like terms: Group the real terms and the imaginary terms together:
(12 - 3) + (4 + 7)i
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Simplify: Calculate the sum of the real and imaginary components:
9 + 11i
Conclusion
Therefore, the result of subtracting (3 - 7i) from (12 + 4i) is 9 + 11i.
Key takeaway: Subtracting complex numbers is a straightforward process involving the subtraction of the real and imaginary components separately.