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This module provides practice problems related to i and imaginary numbers.

We began our in-class assignment by talking about why x 3 = –1 does have a solution, whereas x 2 = –1 does not . Let’s talk about the same thing graphically .

On the graph below, do a quick sketch of y = x 3 .

ppp

  • A

    Draw, on your graph, all the points on the curve where y = 1 . How many are there?
  • B

    Draw, on your graph, all the points on the curve where y = 0 . How many are there?
  • C

    Draw, on your graph, all the points on the curve where y = –1 . How many are there?
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On the graph below, do a quick sketch of y = x 2 .

ppp

  • A

    Draw, on your graph, all the points on the curve where y = 1 . How many are there?
  • B

    Draw, on your graph, all the points on the curve where y = 0 . How many are there?
  • C

    Draw, on your graph, all the points on the curve where y = -1 . How many are there?
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Based on your sketch in exercise #2…

  • A

    If a is some number such that a > 0 , how many solutions are there to the equation x 2 = a ?
  • B

    If a is some number such that a = 0 , how many solutions are there to the equation x 2 = a ?
  • C

    If a is some number such that a < 0 , how many solutions are there to the equation x 2 = a ?
  • D

    If i is defined by the equation i 2 = –1 , where the heck is it on the graph?
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OK, let’s get a bit more practice with i .

In class, we made a table of powers of i , and found that there was a repeating pattern. Make that table again quickly below, to see the pattern.

i 1
i 2
i 3
i 4
i 5
i 6
i 7
i 8
i 9
i 10
i 11
i 12
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Now let’s walk that table backward . Assuming the pattern keeps up as you back up, fill in the following table. (Start at the bottom.)

i -4
i -3
i -2
i -1
i 0
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Did it work? Let’s figure it out. What should i 0 be, according to our general rules of exponents?

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What should i –1 be, according to our general rules of exponents? Can you simplify it to look like the answer in your table?

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What should i –2 be, according to our general rules of exponents? Can you simplify it to look like the answer in your table?

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What should i –3 be, according to our general rules of exponents? Can you simplify it to look like the answer in your table?

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Simplify the fraction i 4 3i size 12{ { {i} over {4 - 3i} } } {} .

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Source:  OpenStax, Advanced algebra ii: activities and homework. OpenStax CNX. Sep 15, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10686/1.5
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