Hotmath
Math Homework. Do It Faster, Learn It Better.

Dividing Complex Numbers

Dividing a complex number by another complex number usually requires multiplying both numerator and denominator by the conjugate .

Example:

Divide 3 + 5 i by 1 + 2 i .

3 + 5 i 1 + 2 i = 3 + 5 i 1 + 2 i 1 2 i 1 2 i = ( 3 + 5 i ) ( 1 2 i ) ( 1 + 2 i ) ( 1 2 i ) = ( 3 ) ( 1 ) + ( 3 ) ( 2 i ) + ( 5 i ) ( 1 ) + ( 5 i ) ( 2 i ) ( 1 ) 2 ( 2 i ) 2 = 3 6 i 5 i 10 i 2 1 4 i 2 = 3 11 i 10 ( 1 ) 1 4 ( 1 ) = 3 11 i + 10 1 + 4 = 7 11 i 5 = 7 5 11 5 i

The quotient is 7 5 11 5 i .