Solving the Complex Equation: (x + iy)(2 - 3i) = 4 + i
This article explores the process of solving the complex equation (x + iy)(2 - 3i) = 4 + i, where x and y are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit (i² = -1).
Expanding and Equating Real and Imaginary Parts
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Expand the left-hand side: (x + iy)(2 - 3i) = 2x + 2iy - 3ix - 3iy² = (2x + 3y) + (-3x + 2y)i
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Equate the real and imaginary parts: We have (2x + 3y) + (-3x + 2y)i = 4 + i. This gives us two equations:
- 2x + 3y = 4
- -3x + 2y = 1
Solving the System of Equations
We now have a system of two linear equations with two unknowns. There are various ways to solve this system, such as substitution or elimination. Let's use elimination:
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Multiply the first equation by 3 and the second equation by 2:
- 6x + 9y = 12
- -6x + 4y = 2
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Add the two equations:
- 13y = 14
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Solve for y:
- y = 14/13
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Substitute the value of y back into either of the original equations to solve for x:
- 2x + 3(14/13) = 4
- 2x = 4 - 42/13
- 2x = 10/13
- x = 5/13
Solution
Therefore, the solution to the equation (x + iy)(2 - 3i) = 4 + i is x = 5/13 and y = 14/13.
This means the complex number (x + iy) that satisfies the equation is (5/13 + 14/13 i).