How do you add or subtract complex numbers?

A complex number has the form a+bi. We call a the 'real' bit (ie. the bit on a regular number line) and b is the 'imaginary' bit.
To add or subtract complex numbers you just add the real bits of both together and the imaginary bits of both together. (You CAN'T add a real part to an imaginary part).
For example: what is (3+2i) + (5+4i)?
Real bits: 3+5=8
Imaginary bits: 2i+4i=6i
So the answer is 8+6i

CB
Answered by Chloe B. Maths tutor

5636 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

given that at a time t, a particle is accelerating in the positive x-direction at 1/t ms^-2, calculate the velocity and the displacement of the particle at time t = 2s


Find the area beneath the curve with equation f(x) = 3x^2 - 2x + 2 when a = 0 and b = 2


x = 1 is a solution for the curve y = x^3-6x^2+11x-6, find the other solutions and sketch the curve, showing the location of any stationary points.


Given x = 3sin(y/2), find dy/dx in terms of x, simplifying your answer.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning