How Do You Simplify This Complex Absolute Value Expression?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
FlufferNuterFSU
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



I need to simplify the expression below. The absolute value is throwing me off

[tex] \left[\left|(\alpha + k)^{2}e^{-2i \alpha a} - (\alpha - k)^{2}e^{2i \alpha a}\right|\right]^{2}[/tex]

Homework Equations



I know [tex]\left|e^{ix}\right| = 1[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I know this eventually simplifies to:
[tex] (\alpha + k)^{4} + (\alpha - k)^{4} - (\alpha^{2} - k^{2})^{2}(e^{4i \alpha a} + e^{-4i \alpha a})[/tex]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Don't worry about it. I figured it out.