Worked solution
Practise exact division and combine complex fractions
(a) Find for each pair:
(i) , ;
(ii) , ;
(iii) , .
(b) Express the following in the form , where and are exact real numbers:
(i) ;
(ii) ;
(iii) .
CJC · Self-Practice 4
(a)(i) First quotient
Answer
.
Multiply by the denominator’s conjugate:
How did this part go?
(a)(ii) Second quotient
Answer
.
Use to make the denominator real:
How did this part go?
(a)(iii) Third quotient
Answer
.
Use as the conjugate factor:
How did this part go?
(b)(i) A sum of conjugate reciprocals
Answer
.
Realise each denominator. Their imaginary parts cancel:
How did this part go?
(b)(ii) Add a complex quotient
Answer
.
First simplify the quotient, then add corresponding components:
How did this part go?
(b)(iii) Add two complex quotients
Answer
.
The two real denominators are both 25:
How did this part go?
Solution notes
Both copies print all six final answers. The full derivations here are authored from the printed questions.