Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Complex Numbers
Complex numbers are numbers that have a real part and an imaginary part, expressed in the form a + bi, where 'a' is the real part and 'b' is the coefficient of the imaginary unit 'i', which is defined as the square root of -1. Understanding complex numbers is essential for simplifying expressions involving square roots of negative numbers.
Recommended video:
Imaginary Unit
The imaginary unit 'i' is defined as the square root of -1. It allows for the extension of the real number system to include solutions to equations that do not have real solutions, such as x^2 + 1 = 0. In the context of the question, √-49 can be rewritten using 'i' to express the result in terms of complex numbers.
Recommended video:
Square Roots of Negative Numbers
Standard Form of Complex Numbers
The standard form of a complex number is a + bi, where 'a' and 'b' are real numbers. When simplifying expressions involving square roots of negative numbers, it is important to express the result in this form to clearly indicate both the real and imaginary components. For example, √-49 simplifies to 7i, which is in standard form.
Recommended video:
Multiplying Complex Numbers