Add and subtract complex numbers

Learning Objectives Identify the real and imaginary parts of a complex number. Add two or more complex numbers by combining their corresponding real and imaginary parts. Subtract one complex number from another by distributing the negative sign and combining like terms. Simplify expressions involving multiple additions and subtractions of complex numbers. Solve for unknown variables in simple equations involving the addition and subtraction of complex numbers. Represent the addition of complex numbers graphically as a vector sum on the complex plane. Ever tried adding apples and oranges? 🍎🍊 In the world of complex numbers, we do something very similar by keeping 'real' and 'imaginary' parts separate! This tutorial will introduce the fundamental operati...

TermDefinitionExample Complex NumberA number that can be expressed in the form a + bi, where 'a' and 'b' are real numbers and 'i' is the imaginary unit.5 + 3i is a complex number. Standard FormThe standard way to write a complex number, with the real part first and the imaginary part second (a + bi).The standard form of -2i + 7 is 7 - 2i. Real PartThe term in a complex number that does not have the imaginary unit 'i'. It is the 'a' in a + bi.In the complex number 4 - 9i, the real part is 4. Imaginary PartThe real number coefficient of the imaginary unit 'i'. It is the 'b' in a + bi.In the complex number 4 - 9i, the imaginary part is -9. Imaginary Unit (i)A number defined such that i^2 = -1. It is the foundation of imagi...

Addition of Complex Numbers Let z1 = a + bi and z2 = c + di. Then z1 + z2 = (a + c) + (b + d)i To add complex numbers, add the real parts together and add the imaginary parts together. Subtraction of Complex Numbers Let z1 = a + bi and z2 = c + di. Then z1 - z2 = (a - c) + (b - d)i To subtract complex numbers, subtract the real parts and subtract the imaginary parts. Be careful to distribute the negative sign to both parts of the second number.