CHAPTER 1

Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Supplement: Roots and Irrational Numbers

One important part of understanding numbers is to be familiar with which
numbers work well with one another. Numbers are grouped together into
categories based on this.

Definition (Integers). Integers are positive and negative whole numbers and
the number zero. Integers work well together when doing addition, subtrac-
tion, and multiplication. By “work well together,” we mean that when we
multiply any two integers, our result is another integer.

Integers don’t work perfectly together with division. Sometimes when we

divide two integers, the result is not an integer. This leads us to another type
of number.

Definition (Rational Numbers). Rational numbers are numbers that can be

written as a ratio of integers. For example, 34 is a rational number. Rational
numbers work well together when doing addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division. All integers are also rational numbers.

If we want to use the square root operation, we would need two other types of
numbers. Here is one of them.

Definition (Irrational Numbers). Irrational

p numbers are numbers that can-
not be written as a ratio of integers. 2 and ⇡ are two common examples
of irrational numbers. Together, the combined sets of irrational and rational
numbers are called the real numbers. Real numbers work well together when
doing the four basic operations as well as when taking square roots of positive
numbers.

33
34 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

When working with square roots, there are a couple things to keep in mind.

• If we take the square roots of expressions with variables, we’ll of-

ten make the assumption that the variable represents a non-negative
number. That’s because
p
a2 = a
only if a >= 0. Otherwise
p
a2 = |a|

• Square root expressions combine they way you’d expect with multi-
plication:
p p p
a b = ab
p
a2 b2 = ab

• Square root expressions do not combine nicely with addition:

p p p
a + b 6= a + b
p
a2 + b2 6= a + b

Example 1.1. Compute.

p p p q
3 a15 b6
(a) 144 (b) 27 (c) 36x2 y 4 (d) 3
27c3

Example 1.2. Compute. Reduce to simplest radical form.

p p p3
p
(a) 8a2 (b) 27a3 (c) a4 b4 (d) 48a2 b3

Example 1.3. Rationalize the denominator.

(a) p2 (b) p7 (c) p 1p

5 7 2+ 3
 SUPPLEMENT: ROOTS AND IRRATIONAL NUMBERS 35

Irrational Numbers Problems

Problem 1.1.
Compute.
p
(a) a2 b2
p
3
(b) a6 b3
p
(c) 5 m10 n15 p5
q
a4
(d) b2
p
(e) 144a2 · 4b2
p
n
(f) an b2n
p
(g) 4a2n b2n
p
(h) 3 25a4 b6
p
(i) 9x2n+2
p
(j) (a + b)2 x2
p
(k) 3 27(x + y)6
q
4(a+b)2
(l) 9(m+n)2

Problem 1.2.
Reduce to similar radicals.
p p p
(a) 8, 50, 72
p p p
(b) 4x3 , x3 , 25x3

Problem 1.3.
Compute. Reduce to simplest radical form.
p
(a) 2a 8a3
p4
(b) 81a7 b3
p
(c) 48(x y)2
p
(d) (a b)3
p
(e) 8(x2 2xy + y 2 )
36 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Problem 1.4.
Rationalize the denominator.

(a) p1
3
1
(b) p
2 3

(c) p1
a

(d) pa
b

(e) p1
8
1
(f) p
3
4
1p
(g) 1 2

(h) p1
2 5 1
 SUPPLEMENT: PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 37

Supplement: Pythagorean Theorem

The Pythagorean Theorem is a statement about the relationship between the
lengths of the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

Theorem (Pythagorean Theorem). Given a right triangle with legs of lengths

a and b and a hypotenuse of length c, then
a2 + b 2 = c 2

It is also true that if a triangle’s side lengths satisfy the equation a2 + b2 = c2 ,

then that triangle must be a right triangle.

The Pythagorean Theorem has a number of applications in mathematics. One

of them is to find the distance between two points on the coordinate plane.

Definition (Distance Formula). The distance c between the points (x1 , y1 )

and (x2 , y2 ) is given by
p
c = (x1 x2 )2 + (y1 y2 )2

To understand where this formula comes from, imagine any two points (x1 , y1 )
and (x2 , y2 ) on the plane. Draw horizontal and vertical line segments to create
a right triangle.

The lengths of the legs of this right triangle are |x1 x2 | and |y1 y2 |. The
length of the hypotenuse is the distance c between the two points.
38 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Let a = |x1 x2 |, b = |y1 y2 |.

c 2 = a2 + b 2
c2 = |x1 x2 |2 + |y1 y2 |2
p
c = (x1 x2 )2 + (y1 y2 )2

Example 1.4. Find the distance between ( 2, 2) and (0, 7).

Example 1.5. Imagine a triangle with vertices at ( 2, 2), (2, 1), and (0, 7).
Use the distances between the vertices to determine if this triangle is a right
triangle.

A Pythagorean Triple is a set of 3 numbers that satisfies the Pythagorean

Theorem. Some useful ones to know are:

• 3, 4, 5
• 5, 12, 13
• 8, 15, 17
 SUPPLEMENT: PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 39

Pythagorean Theorem Problems

Problem 1.5.
Find the distance between each pair of points.

(a) (1, 1) and ( 2, 3)

(b) ( 7, 2) and ( 2, 10)
(c) (0, 9) and ( 15, 1)
(d) (0, 0) and (a, b)
(e) (0, 0) and (b, a)
(f) (a, b) and ( a, b)
(g) (a, b) and (a, b)

Problem 1.6.
A point ( 8, b) is 10 units from the origin. Find b.

Problem 1.7.
Find as many points as you can that are 5 units from the origin.
40 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Supplement: Imaginary Numbers

The other type of number needed to complete the use of the square root
function is an imaginary number.

p
Definition (Imaginary Numbers). Let i = 1. Then the imaginary num-
bers
p are multiples of i. For example, 3i is an imaginary number and so is
16. Combining real and imaginary numbers together allows for the use of
all four basic operations and the square root operation.

p p
Remark. Notice that i is not the same as 1 because 1 = 1, which is
an integer. We use the letter
p i because our numeral system has no other way
to represent the value of 1.

Example 1.6. Compute.

p p p p
(a) 16 49 (b) 4· 25

The first example above seems at odds with something we know about radicals.
Generally we take the rule that
p p p
a b = ab

It’s important to note now that this rule only applies to real numbers.

An imaginary number can have a positive or negative coefficient.

Example 1.7. Does the result of the following addition problem have a
positive or negative coefficient?
5
+ 2i
4i

The above example also illustrates how we’ll approach dividing with imaginary
numbers: we will rationalize the denominator similar to how we divide with
irrational numbers.

The powers of i display an interesting property that cannot be found among

real numbers.
 SUPPLEMENT: IMAGINARY NUMBERS 41

Example 1.8. Compute

(a) i3 (b) i4 (c) i5 (d) i6 (e) i7

Example 1.9. Compute

(a) i2023 (b) i2024 (c) i2025 (d) i10,063

Imaginary numbers were originally conceived as the solutions to equations like

x2 = 16

The European mathematicians that first worked on these problems had dif-
ficulty believing their own work and so called these numbers “imaginary.”
We now know that these numbers fit into neatly into our understanding of
mathematics.
42 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Imaginary Numbers Problems

Problem 1.8.
Which is larger? i16 or i18 ?

Problem 1.9.
Compute.

(a) i1865
(b) i1919
(c) i1964
(d) i1973

Problem 1.10.
Complete the following sentences.

• in is a real number if n is...

• in is an imaginary number if n is...
• If in is imaginary, then i2n is...

Problem 1.11.
Solve the following equations.

(a) x2 = 25
2
(b) x + 121 = 0
(c) 3x2 + 48 = 0
 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS 43

1. Complex Numbers
We usually visualize numbers as belonging on a line (think about the number
lines hanging on the walls of you Kindergarten classrooms). We are familiar
with two broad types of numbers: real and imaginary. They clearly do not fit
along the same line. Is there a way to combine these two types of numbers
into a single group?

Yes, if we think about extending the number line into two dimensions, a num-
ber plane. The purely real numbers will follow the original number line we
remember from Kindergarten. The purely imaginary numbers will lie on a dif-
ferent number line that’s perpendicular to the real number line. Every other
point on the plane will be a combination of a real number and an imaginary
number.

Definition (Complex Numbers). A complex number is a number written in

the form a + bi such that

• a and b are real numbers

p
• i is equal to 1
• a is called the real part, and bi is called the imaginary part

For example, 2 + 3i is a complex number. So is 2 by itself and 3i by itself.

Complex numbers can be added, subtracted, and multiplied using our tradi-
tional rules for those operations.

Example 1.10. Let w = 4 + i and z = 2 3i. Compute

(a) w z
(b) wz
(c) z 2
(d) z 3

If we think of a numbers as representing distance and direction from 0, it is

possible to visualize complex numbers using a coordinate plane.
44 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Draw a pair of axes. Label the horizontal axis “Real” and the vertical axis
“Imaginary.” Then the complex number 3 + 4i can be represented as the dis-
tance and direction from (0, 0) to (3, 4).

This will lead to a nice geometric interpretation for multiplication by i.

Example 1.11. Let w = 4 + i and z = 2 3i. Compute the following and

then sketch the results on the complex plane.

(a) w + z
(b) wz
(c) w
(d) z w
(e) 2w
(f) wi
(g) w2

Definition (Magnitude of a Complex Number). The “size” of a complex

number, called its magnitude, is equal to its length. This is computed using
the distance formula. The magnitude of a complex number z is written |z|. If
z = a + bi, then
p
|z| = a2 + b2

Example 1.12. Let w = 4 + i and z = 2 3i. Compute the magnitudes of

w and z.
 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS 45

Complex Numbers Problems

Problem 1.12.
Compute. Express results in a + bi form.

(a) (3 4i) + ( 5 2i) (h) (3 7i)(2 + 4i)

(b) (6 4i) ( 4 + i) (i) (3 + 4i)( 2 + 3i)
p p
(c) 2( 1 + 6i) 3(2 + 5i) (j) (2 i 3)(2 + i 3)
(d) 3i(5 6i) (k) (6 7i)2
p
(e) 2i(1 3i) (l) (3 + i 5)2
(f) (4 + i)(4 i) (m) (2 3i)2 (2 + 3i)2
p p p p
(g) ( 5 + 3i)(2 3i) (n) ( 3 + 7)( 3 7)

Problem 1.13.
Show by substitution that 2 + i is a solution to the equation x2 4x + 5 = 0.

Problem 1.14.
Identify the complex number represented by each point.

Problem 1.15.
p p
Show that 22 + 2
2
i is a square root of i.
46 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Problem 1.16.
For each complex number z, sketch it and i · z on the same complex plane.
What kind of angle is created by the two complex numbers?

(a) z = 3 + 2i
(b) z = 1 + 4i
(c) z = 1 3i
(d) z = 2 3i

Problem 1.17.
Let z be any complex number other than 0 + 0i. What angle (in degrees) is
created by each pair of complex numbers.

(a) z and iz
(b) z and i2 z
(c) z and i3 z
(d) z and i4 z

Problem 1.18.
Compute the magnitude of each complex number.

(a) 4 + i
(b) 2 + i
(c) 3 2i
(d) 6 + 5i

Problem 1.19.
A complex number 8 + bi has magnitude 10. What is b?

Problem 1.20.
Let z = 1 i. What are the magnitudes of the following numbers?

(a) z
(b) 2z
(c) nz, where n is a real number
(d) z 2
 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS 47

Problem 1.21.
Compute the magnitude of each complex number.

(a) (3 + 2i)0
(b) (3 + 2i)1
(c) (3 + 2i)2
(d) (3 + 2i)3
(e) (3 + 2i)4

Problem 1.22.
Let z be a complex number other than 0 + 0i with magnitude |z|. What is the
magnitude of z n , where n is an integer greater than 0? Explain.
48 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

2. Conjugates and Division

In the previous section, we left o↵ any mention of division with complex num-
bers. We’ll work on that in this section, but first we will define the idea of the
conjugate of a complex number.

Definition (Conjugate of a Complex Number). Let z = a+bi. The conjugate

of z, written z, is equal to a bi.

Example 1.13. Let w = 4 + 3i. What is w?

Example 1.14. Compute ww.

Example 1.15. Compute |w|. Compare to ww.

Example 1.16. Repeat the above examples with w = a + bi.

From the previous examples, we see that the conjugate of a complex number
is important because

• the conjugate can be used to find the magnitude of a complex number

• the product of a complex number and its conjugate is a pure real
number

The conjugate is also important helping us find the reciprocal of a complex

number.

Example 1.17. Suppose w = 4 + 3i and z is the reciprocal of w. That

means wz = 1. Solve for z to find the reciprocal of w.
 2. CONJUGATES AND DIVISION 49

Recall that a division problem P ÷Q is equivalent to the multiplication problem

P ⇥ Q1 . This final idea connects conjugates to division of complex numbers.

w
Example 1.18. Let w = 2 3i and z = 4 + i. Compute z
.
50 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Conjugates and Division Problems

Problem 1.23.
In Problem 1.13, you checked that 2 + i was a solution to x2 4x + 5 = 0. Is
the conjugate of 2 + i also a solution?

Problem 1.24.
Find the reciprocal of each complex number.

(a) 2 + 3i
(b) 1 4i
p p
(c) 3+i 6
p p
(d) 5+i 2

Problem 1.25.
Compute the result of each division problem in a + bi form.
5
(a) 3+4i
15
(b) 2 i
2
(c) 3 i
10
(d) 1+7i
1 2i
(e) 1+2i
5+i
(f) 5 i
p
6 i p2
(g) 6+i 2
p
3+ip5
(h) 3 i 5

Problem 1.26.
Sketch z and z on the complex plane. Describe the symmetry between z and
z.

Problem 1.27.
Let f (x) = 2+x
2 x
. Compute f (1 i).

Problem 1.28.
Let g(x) = x x1 . Compute g(2 i).
 3. SQUARE ROOT PRINCIPLE 51

3. Square Root Principle

One consequence of thinking in complex numbers is that we now can find
solutions to more equations. Quadratic equations are an important category of
equations in mathematics and science so in the remainder of this chapter, we’ll
study ways to solve quadratic equations and how complex numbers behave as
solutions.
p p
Definition (Square Root Principle). If a2 = b, then a = b or a =b.
p
Often, we’ll use the plus/minus sign, ±, to condense this and write a = ± b.
It’s important to remember that this means a could be either of two numbers.

Example 1.19. Solve x2 9 = 0 by using the square root principle.

Example 1.20. Solve x2 + 9 = 0.

Example 1.21. Solve 5x2 15 = 50.

Example 1.22. Solve (x + 2)2 = 12.

The square root principle is straightforward when the square expression is

equal to a pure real number. However, when it is equal to a complex number,
we need to solve a system of equations.

Example 1.23. Solve z 2 = 3 + 4i.

Solution. Let z = a + bi, then

(a + bi)2 = 3 + 4i
a2 + 2abi + b2 i2 = 3 + 4i
a2 + 2abi b2 = 3 + 4i
(a2 b2 ) + 2abi = 3 + 4i
52 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

The left side is equal to the right side when:

a2 b2 = 3
2ab = 4

Looking at the second equation, b = a2 . Then we can solve the rest by the
substitution method.
✓ ◆2
2 2
a =3
a
4
a2 =3
a2
a4 4 = 3a2
a4 3a2 4=0
(a2 4)(a2 + 1) = 0
(a + 2)(a 2)(a2 + 1) = 0
a = 2, 2

So the two square roots of 3 + 4i are 2 i and 2 + i.

Example 1.24. The equation above also has solutions a = i and a = i.

Why don’t we include them?
 3. SQUARE ROOT PRINCIPLE 53

Square Root Principle Problems

Problem 1.29.
Solve each equation.

(a) x2 = 16 (b) (x + 7)2 = 16 (c) (3x + 7)2 = 16

Problem 1.30.
Solve each equation.

(a) z 2 = 49 (b) (z 8)2 = 49 (c) (5z 8)2 = 49

Problem 1.31.
Solve each equation.

(a) (y 7)2 = 12
(b) (t 3)2 = 8
1 2
(c) 3
n 2 = 18
1 2
(d) 2
t 12 = 50
(e) 3(y 7)2 = 12
(x 5)2
(f) 3
= 8

Problem 1.32.
Factor the left side of each equation. Then solve each equation using the
square root principle.

(a) x2 + 4x + 4 = 36
(b) x2 6x + 9 = 25
2
(c) 4x 4x + 1 = 10
2
(d) 9x + 12x + 4 = 8
(e) 9x2 18x + 9 = 1
(f) 25x2 + 100x + 100 = 1
54 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Problem 1.33.
Solve each equation.

(a) z 2 = 2i
(b) z 2 = 5 12i

Problem 1.34.
Solve the equation for x.
x2 + c = 0
Your solution will be in terms of c.

Problem 1.35.
Solve the equation for x.
ax2 + c = 0
Your solution will be in terms of a and c.
 4. COMPLETING THE SQUARE 55

4. Completing the Square

Example 1.25. Compute

3 2
(a) (x + 1)2 (b) (x r)2 (c) (x 2
)

Recall that all the above are examples of squares of binomials.

Definition (Quadratic Equations). A quadratic equation is an equation that

can be written in the form
ax2 + bx + c = 0
where a 6= 0 and a, b, and c are complex numbers.

Quadratic equations arise in many contexts in math and science so it’s impor-
tant to have efficient ways to solve them. The square root principle from the
previous section is one way.

However, the SRP cannot be directly applied to an equation such as

x2 + 2x = 7
This is because of the 2x term. By using a bit of cleverness, we can manipulate
this equation so that the SRP is easy to use. The technique, called completing
the square, uses the fact that we’re can add a constant to both sides of an
equation without changing its solutions.

Example 1.26. Solve x2 + 2x = 7.

To solve a quadratic equation x2 + bx + c = 0 by completing the square, we:

• Rewrite the equation in the form x2 + bx = c

• Find an expression (x + r)2 that is equal to x2 + bx + k. (Hint: r = 2b )
• Add k to both sides of the rewritten equation:
x2 + bx + k = c+k

• Then the left-hand side can be factored, and the SRP applied
(x + r)2 = c+k
56 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Completing the Square Problems

Problem 1.36.
Find a binomial square that begins with the following terms.

(a) x2 2x
(b) x2 4x
(c) y 2 + 5y
(d) p2 + 11p

Problem 1.37.
Solve each equation.

(a) x2 2x 5=0
(b) x2 4x + 2 = 0
(c) y 2 + 6y 2=0
(d) y 2 + 8y + 6 = 0
(e) p2 + 20p + 200 = 0
(f) k 2 10k + 30 = 0
(g) x2 1 = 4x
(h) t2 + 8 = 4t
(i) 2t2 + 4t + 1 = 0
(j) 3n2 + 12n + 1 = 0
(k) 5n2 + 100 = 30n
(l) 2n2 8n 3=0
(m) x2 x 1=0
(n) y 2 3y 5=0
(o) 3k 2 + 5k + 2 = 0
 4. COMPLETING THE SQUARE 57

Problem 1.38.
Solve each equation.

(a) 12 x2 3x = 2
y2 y
(b) 4 2
+1=0
(c) 0.1x2 0.6x + 9 = 0
(d) 0.6x2 + 2 = 2.4x
(e) 7x(1 x) = 5(x 2)
(f) 2x(x 4) = 3(1 x)

Problem 1.39.
Solve the equation by completing the square.
x2 + 8x + c = 0

Problem 1.40.
Solve the equation by completing the square.
x2 + bx + 7 = 0

Problem 1.41.
Solve the equation by completing the square.
x2 + bx + c = 0
58 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

5. The Quadratic Formula

The process of completing the square and then applying the SRP is powerful
enough to solve any quadratic equation. We can make this process even more
efficient by writing a formula that generalizes all of its steps.

Definition (Quadratic Formula). Given a general quadratic equation written

in the form
ax2 + bx + c = 0
where a 6= 0, the solutions (also called roots) of the equation, x1 and x2 , can
be computed by plugging the coefficients into the formulas
p
b + b2 4ac
x1 =
p2a
b b2 4ac
x2 =
2a
It is possible that x1 = x2 . In these cases, we say that the quadratic equation
has a “double root.”

To condense the formula, often the plus/minus symbol ± is used:

p
b ± b2 4ac
x=
2a

In the next example, we’ll derive this formula to demonstrate where it comes
from and how it is related to completing the square.

Example 1.27. Solve ax2 + bx + c = 0.

Example 1.28. Solve x2 + 4x = 96 by using the quadratic formula.

 5. THE QUADRATIC FORMULA 59

Quadratic Formula Problems

Problem 1.42.
Solve each equation.

(a) x2 + 6x + 4 = 0
(b) v 2 + 3v 5=0
(c) y 2 4y + 13 = 0
(d) t2 + 6t + 6 = 0
(e) 5k 2 + 3k 2=0
(f) 2p2 3p 2=0
(g) 5r2 + 8 = 12r

Problem 1.43.
Solve each equation.

(a) 5r2 + 8 = 12r

(b) 2w2 + 4w = 3
(c) 3y 2 = 1 y
(d) 8x = 1 x2
(e) 2x(x + 1) = 7
(f) 5 = 4r(2r + 3)
(g) (3n 5)(2n 2) = 6
(h) (2x + 1)(2x 1) = 4x
w2 3
(i) 2
w= 4
t2 t
(j) 2
+1= 5
2m2 +16
(k) 5
= 2m
4 2y 2
(l) 7
= 2y

Problem 1.44.
Solve each equation by (a) factoring and (b) by using the quadratic formula.

(a) 5x2 45 = 0
60 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

(b) 3y 2 48 = 0
(c) 3x2 6x + 3 = 0
(d) 4y 2 + 4y 15 = 0

Problem 1.45.
Solve each equation.
p
(a) x2 x 2 1 = 0
p
(b) x2 x 5 1 = 0
p
(c) t2 2t 2 + 1 = 0
p
(d) u2 + 2u 3 3 = 0
p p
(e) x2 2 + 5x + 2 2 = 0
p p
(f) x2 3 2x + 2 3 = 0
(g) z 2 + iz + 2 = 0
(h) z 2 + 2iz 1=0
(i) z 2 (3 + 2i)z + (1 + 3i) = 0
(j) iz 2 + (2 3i)z (3 + i) = 0

Problem 1.46.
In your own words, explain the distinction between quadratic equations and
the quadratic formula.

Problem 1.47.
In your own words, explain how the quadratic formula is related to the method
of completing the square.

Problem 1.48.
Show that the solutions of 3x2 2x + 3 = 0 are reciprocals.

Problem 1.49.
Prove that if the roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 are reciprocals, then a = c.
 6. THE DISCRIMINANT 61

6. The Discriminant
By now you may have noticed the following about our solutions to quadratic
equations:

• There are always 1 or 2 solutions.

• If there is 1 solution, that solution is a pure real number.
• If there are 2 solutions, those solutions may be pure real numbers or
complex numbers.

We’ll refer to these outcomes as the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation.

The nature of the roots is determined by the part of the quadratic formula
contained within the radical, which we’ll call the discriminant:

b2 4ac

Specifically,

• If b2 4ac > 0, then the equation has 2 real number roots.

• If b2 4ac = 0, then the equation has 1 real number root.
• If b2 4ac < 0, then the equation has 2 complex number roots.

One important thing to note is that these bullet points are only true if a, b,
and c are real numbers.

Example 1.29. Without solving, determine the nature of the roots of the
following equations.

(a) x2 4x + 20 = 0
(b) 2x2 3x 7=0
(c) r2 r 462 = 0
t2
(d) 2
+ 4t 8=0

Example 1.30. Find all numbers k such that the equation x2 + 2x + k = 0

has 2 real number roots.
62 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

The discriminant gives us a di↵erent way to check if a quadratic expression is

factorable. Without the discriminant, the only way to tell if a trinomial like
2x2 7x 4
is factorable is to try to factor it, which may or may not be successful.

Definition (Factorability). A quadratic expression is factorable if its roots

are rational numbers. If its roots are rational numbers, then the value of the
discriminant will be a perfect square.

Example 1.31. Check if 2x2 7x 4 is factorable.

 6. THE DISCRIMINANT 63

Discriminant Problems

Problem 1.50.
Without solving, determine the nature of the roots of the following equations.

(a) x2 3x 9=0
2
(b) x 4x 5=0
(c) t2 + 8t + 20 = 0
(d) 3m2 8m 5=0
(e) 2y 2 9y + 3 = 0

Problem 1.51.
Find k such that each equation has

• double root
• 2 real roots
• complex roots

(a) 2x2 + 4x + k = 0
(b) 3x2 6x k=0
(c) k 2 x2 8x + 4 = 0
(d) 9x2 6x + k 2 = 0
(e) kx2 4x + k = 0
(f) 3x2 6kx + 12 = 0

Problem 1.52.
Find the value of the discriminant and say whether each expression is fac-
torable.

(a) x2 + 6x + 3
(b) x2 + 8x + 16
(c) t2 5t 5
(d) 3y 2 4y + 2
64 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Problem 1.53.
Find three values of k for which the expression 3x2 6x + k is factorable.

Problem 1.54.
Explain why a quadratic equation has a double root when b2 4ac = 0.

Problem 1.55.
Show that the roots of x2 + kx + k = 1 are always rational if k is an integer.

Problem 1.56.
Assume that in the coefficients of a quadratic equation, ax2 + bx + c = 0, are
all integers. Explain why the discriminant cannot be 23.
 EXTENSION: ROOT THEOREMS 65

Extension: Root Theorems

These examples lead us to theorems about the sum and product of the roots
of a quadratic equation.

Example 1.32. Let x1 and x2 be the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0.

Find

(a) x1 + x2
(b) x1 · x2

These relationships between the roots and coefficients of a quadratic are called
Vieta’s Formulas.

Example 1.33. Find the sum and product of the roots of the following
quadratic equations.

(a) x2 13x + 36 = 0
(b) 457x2 = 907x + 241

Example 1.34. Find real numbers a and b such that a + 2i and b 5i are
the roots of x2 + ( 4 + 3i)x + (13 + i) = 0.

The following examples lead us to theorems about complex number roots.

Example 1.35. Show that the following properties of complex numbers and
their conjugates are true for any two complex numbers. Let z = a + bi and
w = c + di.

(a) z + w = z + w
(b) zw = zw
(c) z 2 = z 2
66 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Example 1.36. Let w be a root of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0.

Show that w is also a root of that equation.

Example 1.37. Suppose that z = 3 2i is a root of the quadratic equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0. Find a, b, and c.

Problem 1.57.
Write a quadratic equation with integer coefficients that has as one of its roots
2+i
3
.
 EXTENSION: ROOT THEOREMS 67

Root Theorem Problems

Problem 1.58. p
One of the roots of a quadratic with real coefficients is 6 + i 5. Find the other
root.

Problem 1.59.
Is it possible for a quadratic with real coefficients to have a double root that
is not real? Why or why not?

Problem 1.60.
One of the roots of 2x2 + rx + s = 0 is 3 + 2i. If r and s are real numbers,
find s.

Problem 1.61.
Show that each statement is true.

(a) z + z is a pure real number.

(b) z z is a pure imaginary number.
(c) z · z is a pure real number.

Problem 1.62.
Write a quadratic equation with real coefficients where 1+i is one of the roots.

Problem 1.63.
Write a quadratic equation with a lead coefficient of 2 and that 3i as one of
its roots.

Problem 1.64.
Write a quadratic equation with integer coefficeitns having the given root(s).

(a) 32 , 1
2
p
1 i 5
(b) 4
68 1. COMPLEX NUMBERS AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

7. Complex Number Review

Review 1.1.
Let z = 3 i.

(a) Show by substitution that z is a root of x2 6x + 10 = 0.

(b) Compute the magnitude of z.
(c) Compute the magnitude of z 4

Review 1.2.
Let w = 5 i.

(a) Find the reciprocal of w.

w
(b) Compute 2+3i
.
(c) Sketch w and w on the complex plane.

Review 1.3.
Solve each equation.

(a) 2(x 1)2 = 16

(b) 2x2 = 3x 1

Review 1.4.
Find the discriminant of 9y 2 6y + 5 = 0 and then state the nature of the
roots. Do not solve for the roots themselves.

Review 1.5.
Find the real values of k for which the equation 3y 2 2y + k = 0 has two real
roots.

Review 1.6.
Write
p
a quadratic equation with integer coefficients that has as one of its roots
1+i 2
2
.
 8. PRACTICE TEST 69

8. Practice Test

1. Show three ways to solve the quadratic equation

3x2 + 14x 5=0

2. Solve the quadratic equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0
by completing the square. Your solution will be in terms of a, b, and
c. The solution may be left unsimplified.
3. Use the discriminant to determine the nature of the roots of each
quadratic equation (2 pure real roots, double root, 2 complex roots).
• x2 3x
9=0
2
p
• 7x + 2 = 2x 14
5
• x2 + 4
=x
4. Let w = 3 4i and z = 1 + i.
(a) Compute each of the following. All answers should be in a + bi
form.
(b) Sketch each result on the complex plane.
(c) Determine the magnitude of each result.
• wz
• w2
1
• w
w
• z
5. Solve the equation for z. Express your solutions in a + bi form.
z2 = 15 + 8i