21.04.2015 Views

Lecture Notes in Differential Equations - Bruce E. Shapiro

Lecture Notes in Differential Equations - Bruce E. Shapiro

Lecture Notes in Differential Equations - Bruce E. Shapiro

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Lesson 18<br />

Complex Roots<br />

We know form algebra that the roots of the characteristic equation<br />

are given by the quadratic formula<br />

When<br />

ar 2 + br + c = 0 (18.1)<br />

r = −b ± √ b 2 − 4ac<br />

2a<br />

(18.2)<br />

b 2 < 4ac (18.3)<br />

the number <strong>in</strong> the square root will be negative and the roots will be complex.<br />

Def<strong>in</strong>ition 18.1. A complex number is a number<br />

where a, b are real numbers (possibly zero) and<br />

z = a + bi (18.4)<br />

i = √ −1 (18.5)<br />

To f<strong>in</strong>d the square root of a negative number we factor out the −1 and use<br />

i = √ −1, and use the result that<br />

√<br />

−a =<br />

√<br />

(−1)(a) =<br />

√<br />

−1<br />

√ a = i<br />

√ a (18.6)<br />

Example 18.1. F<strong>in</strong>d √ −9.<br />

√<br />

−9 =<br />

√<br />

(−1)(9) =<br />

√<br />

−1<br />

√<br />

9 = 3i (18.7)<br />

153

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!