Lesson 01

Numbers and Order Relation

1.1 Real number system

1.2 Complex number system
1.3 Order relation of real numbers
1.4 Linear inequalities

1.1 Real number system

{ mn | m, n Z, n 0}

1.1 Real number system

x2 = 2
z

To solve this, we require irrational numbers.

x=

2 = 1.414 .....

1.1 Real number system

z

For any circle with

circumference C and diameter d,

C
= is irrational.
d
Irrational Numbers =

Real Numbers,

1.1 Real number system

Ex 1. Determine which of the numbers

13

are
, 4, 13,
5
2

(a) integers, (b) rational numbers,

(c) irrational numbers, (d) real numbers.
Soln. (a) Integer:

4=2

13
(b) Rationals: , 4
5

(c) Irrationals: 13,

2

(d) Real numbers:

13

, 4, 13,
5
2

1.2 Complex number system

What is the solution of x 2 + 1 = 0 or x 2 = 1 ?

z
z

z
z
z

To solve this we require complex numbers.

Construct an imaginary unit, i, which has the
property i2 = 1 or i = 1.
Then i is the solution of the equation x 2 + 1 = 0 .
We can use i to construct the complex number system.
A complex number is an expression of the form a + bi,
where a, b R .
The set of complex numbers is denoted by C .

1.2 Complex number system

The system of complex numbers C is

complete in the sense that allowing
complex numbers enables every
polynomial equation to have solutions.
Every complex number can be
represented as a point in the complex
plane (Argand diagram).
Note that any real number is also a
complex number, for example, 5 = 5 + 0i.
Thus R C..

1.2 Complex number system

Ex 2. Solve x2= 9 over C .

Soln. x = 9 = (9)(1) = 3i
Note: We may assume that the rule for radicals: ab = a b
in the real number system carries over into the
complex number system.
Ex 3. Find the complex roots of (x 2)2 = 16.
Soln. x 2 = 16 = (16)(1) = 4i
x = 2 4i

1.2 Complex number system

z
z

Equality: a + bi = c + di a = c and b = d.
Addition and multiplication:
The distributive law for real numbers carries over into
the complex number system. Using the distributive law,
(a + bi)(c + di) = ac + bdi2 + adi + bci
= (ac bd) + (ad + bc)i, since i2 = 1.
Thus addition and multiplication are defined by:
(a + bi) + (c + di) = (a + c) + (b + d)i
(a + bi)(c + di) = (ac bd) + (ad + bc)i

1.2 Complex number system

Ex 4. Write each expression in the form a + bi

(a) (2 + 3i) + (3 2i)
(b) (3 + 7i)(1 4i)
(c) (2 + i)2
Soln. (a) 5 + i
(b) 3 + 28 + (12 + 7)i = 31 5i
(c) (2 + i)(2 + i) = 4 1 + (2 + 2)i = 3 + 4i

1.3 Order relation for real numbers

The order relation ( < or > ) can be defined for real numbers
(but not for complex numbers). It has the following properties:

a+c<b+c
e.g., 2 < 3 2 + 1 < 3 + 1; 2 + 1 < 3 + 1 2 < 3.
If c > 0, then a < b ac < bc
e.g., 2 < 3 2 5 < 3 5; 2 5 < 3 5 2 < 3.

1. a < b

2.

3. If c < 0, then a < b ac > bc

e.g., 2 < 3

2 (1) > 3 (1); 2 (1) > 3 (1) 2 < 3.

1.4 Linear inequalities

Ex 5. Solve 2 x + 3 6
Sketch the solution on a coordinate line.
Soln. 2 x 6 3

3
2

Compound inequalities: a < x < b means a < x and x < b.

Ex 6. 3 < x < 1
Ex 7. 4 x 2
Ex 8. x 4 or x 2
Note: Combining these into 4 x 2 would be an error !!