Find Complex Conjugate of 1/(1+e^(ix))

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the complex conjugate of the expression 1/(1+e^(ix)). Participants explore various methods to derive the conjugate, including rationalization and expressing the complex number in terms of its real and imaginary parts. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initially presents their result for the complex conjugate as (1+e^(-(ix)))/(2+2 cos x) but notes a discrepancy with a provided solution of 0.5 sec (x/2) e^(i(x/2)).
  • Another participant suggests that to find the conjugate, one should replace i with -i, leading to the expression 1/(1+e^(-ix)), and proposes rationalizing the denominator to obtain a different form.
  • A further approach is introduced by multiplying the expression by e^(ix/2) to create symmetry, resulting in a form that aligns with the book's answer.
  • Another participant reiterates the initial question and suggests expressing the complex number in terms of its real and imaginary parts, leading to a detailed calculation of the conjugate.
  • A later reply acknowledges a mistake made in their approach and expresses gratitude for the assistance received.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views and methods for finding the complex conjugate, with no consensus reached on a single correct approach or result.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' calculations depend on specific assumptions about the expressions used, and there are unresolved steps in the mathematical reasoning presented.

nicodemus1
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Good Day,

I would like to know how to find the complex conjugate of the complex number 1/(1+e^(ix)).

I got (1+e^(-(ix)))/(2+2 cos x) but the solution is 0.5 sec (x/2) e^(i(x/2)).

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks & Regards

P.S. Apologies for not using LATEX as it was formatting the expressions wrongly
 
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Well, the first step is to actually conjugate, which is simply to replace all $i$'s with $-i$'s:
$$ \frac{1}{1+e^{ix}} \to \frac{1}{1+e^{-ix}}.$$
Next, one thing we could do is to rationalize the denominator to make the result have a real number in the denominator:
$$ \frac{1}{1+e^{-ix}} \cdot \frac{1+e^{ix}}{1+e^{ix}}
=\frac{1+e^{ix}}{1+e^{ix}+e^{-ix}+1}=\frac{1+e^{ix}}{2+2 \cos(x)}.$$
That's slightly different from your result.

Another approach would be to create symmetry where there isn't any, by multiplying top and bottom by $e^{ix/2}$:
$$\frac{1}{1+e^{-ix}} \cdot \frac{e^{ix/2}}{e^{ix/2}}=\frac{e^{ix/2}}{e^{ix/2}+e^{-ix/2}}= \frac{e^{ix/2}}{2 \cos(x/2)},$$
which is where your book's answer comes from.
 
nicodemus said:
Good Day,

I would like to know how to find the complex conjugate of the complex number 1/(1+e^(ix)).

I got (1+e^(-(ix)))/(2+2 cos x) but the solution is 0.5 sec (x/2) e^(i(x/2)).

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks & Regards

P.S. Apologies for not using LATEX as it was formatting the expressions wrongly

I would lean towards trying to write your complex number in terms of its real and imaginary parts, then the conjugation is easy...

\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{1 + e^{i\,x}} &= \frac{1}{1 + \cos{(x)} + i\sin{(x)}} \\ &= \frac{1 \left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} - i\sin{(x)} \right] }{\left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} + i\sin{(x)} \right] \left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} - i\sin{(x)} \right] } \\ &= \frac{1 + \cos{(x)} - i\sin{(x)} }{ \left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} \right] ^2 + \sin^2{(x)} } \\ &= \frac{1 + \cos{(x)} - i\sin{(x)}}{ 1 + 2\cos{(x)} + \cos^2{(x)} + \sin^2{(x)}} \\ &= \frac{1 + \cos{(x)} - i\sin{(x)} }{ 2 + 2\cos{(x)} } \\ &= \frac{1 + \cos{(x)}}{2\left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} \right] } - i\left\{ \frac{\sin{(x)}}{2 \left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} \right] } \right\} \\ &= \frac{1}{2} - i\left\{ \frac{\sin{(x)}}{2 \left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} \right] } \right\} \end{align*}

So the conjugate is \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{2} + i\left\{ \frac{\sin{(x)}}{2 \left[ 1 + \cos{(x)} \right] } \right\} \end{align*}
 
Yes, it is quite simple actually. I used the approach to express the given complex number in x+iy but I made a careless mistake there.

Thank you very much for all your help and advice.
 

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