Simplifying Complex Expressions: A Step-by-Step Guide
This article will guide you through simplifying the complex expression: (7 - 3i) + (x - 2i)² - (4i + 2x²). We'll break down each step to ensure a clear understanding of the process.
Expanding the Expression
First, we need to expand the squared term:
(x - 2i)² = (x - 2i)(x - 2i)
Using the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last), we get:
(x - 2i)² = x² - 2xi - 2xi + 4i²
Remember that i² = -1, so we can substitute:
(x - 2i)² = x² - 4xi - 4
Now our expression becomes:
(7 - 3i) + (x² - 4xi - 4) - (4i + 2x²)
Combining Like Terms
Next, we group the real and imaginary terms separately:
(7 - 4) + (x² - 2x²) + (-3i - 4xi - 4i)
Combining the coefficients:
3 + (-x²) + (-7 - 4x)i
Final Result
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression (7 - 3i) + (x - 2i)² - (4i + 2x²) is:
-x² + ( -7 - 4x)i + 3
This expression is now in the standard form of a complex number, a + bi, where a is the real part and b is the imaginary part.