ACT Math · Complex numbers

What is (2+5i) + (7-3i)?

What is (2+5i)+(7−3i)(2+5i) + (7-3i)?

Answer and explanation

Answer: F: 9 + 2i

Add the real parts and the imaginary parts separately: (2+7)+(5−3)i=9+2i(2+7)+(5-3)i=9+2i, choice F. Choice H (9−2i9-2i) loses the sign of the imaginary part by computing −5−3-5-3 or −3−5-3-5 instead of 5+(−3)5+(-3). Choice G (5+8i5+8i) subtracts the second number from the first, (7−2)+(5−(−3))i(7-2)+(5-(-3))i, which is subtraction, not addition, and mixes the order of the terms. Choice J (14−15i14-15i) multiplies the parts instead of adding them. Adding complex numbers works like combining like terms, with ii treated as a variable.

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