How to Solve (a+bi)/(x-i)=0 to Find X?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wi_N
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The equation presented, (5 + 3i)/(a - i) = 0, requires the numerator to equal zero for the fraction to be zero, which leads to the conclusion that there is no real value of 'a' that satisfies this condition. Attempts to simplify the expression using the conjugate of the denominator reveal that the resulting equations for the real and imaginary parts require different values for 'a', indicating a contradiction. Participants express confusion over the problem statement, suggesting it may be incomplete or misinterpreted. The consensus is that a real solution for 'a' does not exist under the given conditions. Thus, the problem may need to be reevaluated for clarity or correctness.
Wi_N
Messages
119
Reaction score
8

Homework Statement


so the equation is 5+3i/(a-i) =0

i need to find a REAL A so it becomes 0

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



i tried multiplying with its conjugate but it won't take. I am completely clueless.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Wi_N said:
i need to find a REAL A
No way. Please post the complete problem statement . And your attempt at solution in detail. You know how things go at PF
 
  • Like
Likes Logical Dog
I need to find a REAL "a" that makes this function 5+3i/(a-i) =0

maybe i can use trigonometry...
 
Last edited:
There is no single value 'a' can take to give zero. If you multiply, numerator & denominator, by complex conjugate of the denominator to simplify, then will get two equations one for real part & other imaginary. Each requires 'a' to be different values; in fact they are negative reciprocals of each other. So, I'm with BvU in that this cannot be entire problem statement, or there is some other error.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
Wi_N said:

Homework Statement


so the equation is 5+3i/(a-i) =0

i need to find a REAL A so it becomes 0

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



i tried multiplying with its conjugate but it won't take. I am completely clueless.
Do you perhaps mean

(5+3i)/(a-i) =0 ?
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
Wi_N said:

Homework Statement


so the equation is 5+3i/(a-i) =0

i need to find a REAL A so it becomes 0

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



i tried multiplying with its conjugate but it won't take. I am completely clueless.

Do you mean
$$\frac{5 + 3i}{a-i} = 0,$$
or do you mean
$$5 + \frac{3i}{a-i}=0?$$
It makes a great difference.

Actually, if I read your expression using standard rules for parsing mathematical expressions, what you wrote really is the second one.
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
Wi_N said:

Homework Statement


so the equation is 5+3i/(a-i) =0
i need to find a REAL A so it becomes 0
I am assuming from what you wrote in the title, "(a+bi)/(x-i)=0 finding x", your equation is really this: (5 + 3i)/(a - i) = 0.

The only way for a fraction or other rational expression to be equal to zero is when the numerator is zero.
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
SrayD said:
There is no single value 'a' can take to give zero. If you multiply, numerator & denominator, by complex conjugate of the denominator to simplify, then will get two equations one for real part & other imaginary. Each requires 'a' to be different values; in fact they are negative reciprocals of each other. So, I'm with BvU in that this cannot be entire problem statement, or there is some other error.

No, there is a unique ##a## that solves
$$5 + \frac{3i}{a-i} = 0,$$
but it is not real.
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
(5+3i)/(a-i) =0

"a" has to be a real number.
 
  • #10
Wi_N said:
(5+3i)/(a-i) =0

"a" has to be a real number.

You can spend the next thousand years looking for a solution, but you will not find one.
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
  • #11
I'm guessing the real question was ... = 1
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
  • #12
Wi_N said:
(5+3i)/(a-i) =0

"a" has to be a real number.
Ray Vickson said:
You can spend the next thousand years looking for a solution, but you will not find one.
I agree completely with Ray here. The only way a fraction can be zero is if the numerator is zero. Are you positive that what you have written is the problem that is to be solved?
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
  • #13
nevermind. missunderstood the question i guess. the answer is just solving the a in a+bi and ignoring the i part. trivial question.
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Is not what I see in post #1. By accident ?
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
  • #15
BvU said:
Is not what I see in post #1. By accident ?

not an accident. but same kind of problem.
 
  • #16
repeat my post #2. What do you want to work on ?
 
  • Like
Likes Wi_N
Back
Top