Factoring Imaginary Numbers in a 2x1 Matrix: Solving the Physics Problem

[NutriGrainKiller]

This is a physics problem but I am having trouble factoring this matrix. Basically, there shouldn't be anything left inside the matrix except 0's, 1's, or i's (any of which can be negative). This seems like such an easy problem but I cannot find something that works.

Any ideas?

<br /> <br /> \frac {1} {2\sqrt{2}}<br /> <br /> \left(\begin{array}{cc}1+\sqrt{3}\\1-\sqrt{3}\end{array}\right)<br /> <br />

in case anyone finds this confusing this is a 2 row 1 column matrix.

 

[NutriGrainKiller]

bumping because i just now got the latex to display properly

 

[stunner5000pt]

couldnt you simply subract the rows from each other??

 

[Hurkyl]

Basically, there shouldn't be anything left inside the matrix except 0's, 1's, or i's (any of which can be negative).

Why do you think it can be put into that form?

 

[NutriGrainKiller]

couldnt you simply subract the rows from each other??

No I don't think so

Why do you think it can be put into that form?

because the inside can only result in one of several cases, all of which contain only 0's, 1's, or imaginary numbers. anything else wouldn't make sense

 

[Hurkyl]

because the inside can only result in one of several cases, all of which contain only 0's, 1's, or imaginary numbers. anything else wouldn't make sense

Then maybe this is a spurious solution. What were you actually solving?