# Complex numbers question ;)

1. Mar 11, 2010

### Maatttt0

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

One root of the equation x^2 + ax + b = 0 is 4 + 5i.

Write down the second root.

2. Relevant equations

N/a?

3. The attempt at a solution

My problem is it's a "write down" question which suggests no working required. This is probably so simple but I just don't know... I cannot do this even thought I know the later parts of the question. Thank you in advance ;)

2. Mar 11, 2010

### Pengwuino

Write down the quadratic equation as you know it. The quadratic formula gives you two equations using one formula. What changes about the formula that gives you 2 separate solutions?

3. Mar 11, 2010

### Maatttt0

The plus or minus, so would it be 4 - 5i?

4. Mar 11, 2010

### Pengwuino

Yup! The quadratic formula gives solutions as

$$$\frac{{ - b}}{{2a}} \pm \frac{{\sqrt {b^2 - 4ac} }}{{2a}}$$$

However, you can rewrite the quadratic formula by pulling out a -1 from the term in the square root to get

$$\[ \frac{{ - b}}{{2a}} \pm i\frac{{\sqrt {4ac - b^2 } }}{{2a}}$$

So you can identify the 4 and the 5 with the real and imaginary parts of the equation.

5. Mar 11, 2010

### Maatttt0

Hehe, thank you so much :)

I know it was rather simple but my mind just wouldn't trigger.

Ty again ;)

6. Mar 13, 2010

### jbunniii

By the way, that answer is correct only if $a$ and $b$ are both real. If the problem doesn't specify that they are, then the other root could be any complex number.