Solving Complex Algebra Homework w/ Equation & Solution

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The discussion revolves around solving a complex algebra equation related to impedance matching in RF circuit design. The user is attempting to simplify the equation to isolate the real part, R_T, and the imaginary part, X_T, but is struggling with the separation of these components. Key advice includes equating the real and imaginary parts of the complex equation, rather than discarding the imaginary components. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly handling complex numbers and their equality in order to derive the desired results. Ultimately, the user gains clarity on how to approach the problem and recognizes that their earlier confusion stemmed from mixing real and imaginary terms.
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Homework Statement



I am following along in a book which provides the equation below.
I have also included the book's stated solution.

Homework Equations



The Equation:
{R_T+jX_T \over 1+jB_C(R_T+jX_T)}+jX_L = R_A-jX_A
The Book's Solution:
R_T=R_A(1-B_CX_T)+(X_A+X_L)B_CR_T

The Attempt at a Solution



When attempting to solve for RT, so far I have:
{R_T+jX_T \over 1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T} = R_A-jX_A-jX_L
R_T=(R_A-jX_A-jX_L)(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)-jX_T
R_T=<br /> R_A+R_AjB_CR_T-R_AB_CX_T<br /> -jX_A+X_AB_CR_T+jX_AB_CX_T<br /> -jX_L+X_LB_CR_T+jX_LB_CX_T -jX_T
I then begin to simplify:
R_T=<br /> R_A(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)<br /> +X_A(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T)<br /> +X_L(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T) -jX_T
R_T=<br /> R_A(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)<br /> +(X_A+X_L)(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T) -jX_T
I seem to be having some issue identifying further simplification.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Charles
 
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Could you give more context? It appears that at some point only the real part was retained.
 
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DrClaude said:
Could you give more context? It appears that at some point only the real part was retained.

You are exactly correct. The greater context is a series of equations describing an impedance match using a series inductor and parallel capacitor from RF Circuit Design Theory and Applications where RT is the real part. The example starts off as expressing impedances as real and imaginary components and then separating the two: RT and XT.

The book's stated XT solution is:
X_T=R_TR_AB_C-(1-B_CX_T)(X_A+X_L)
Perhaps my confusion resides with solving for the real-only part. If all that was done was discarding the imaginary parts in the RT equation, then I might be ok.

My reason for wanting to clearly understand the equation and its transformations is to be able to perform the same approach but as applied to other topologies such as series capacitor and parallel inductor.

The way the equations RT and XT are used is described as:
In the RT equation, solve for XL and substitute those results into the XT equation, solve the remaining quadratic equation (plus side version) to obtain BC and then substitute BC into linear XT equation to solve for XL.
 
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You need to equate the real and imaginary parts of the complex equation separately.
I mean the real left-hand side equals the real right-hand side and same for the imaginary (if needed).
You can do some simplifications first, as you did. But in the end equate the two parts separately.
 
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nasu said:
You need to equate the real and imaginary parts of the complex equation separately.
I mean the real left-hand side equals the real right-hand side and same for the imaginary (if needed).
You can do some simplifications first, as you did. But in the end equate the two parts separately.
Ok so after the simplifications that I did, does equating to the real part simply mean to drop all of the remaining imaginary components to arrive at the form of RT that the book author did? Or perhaps to reword my question, does taking the real part of RT at the point where I simplified to, mean discarding all remaining imaginary values? I guess what I was expecting was some mathematical step beyond my final simplification or more methodical means for taking the real part of the lengthy expression.
 
It's not really "discarding". You just use the general meaning of two complex numbers being equal.
If you have z1=a1+b1*i and z2=a2+b2*i (where a1,a2,b1,b2 are pure real), the equality z1=z2 implies
a1=a2
and
b1=b2.

Here z1 and z2 are the two sides of your equation.
 
nasu said:
It's not really "discarding". You just use the general meaning of two complex numbers being equal.
If you have z1=a1+b1*i and z2=a2+b2*i (where a1,a2,b1,b2 are pure real), the equality z1=z2 implies
a1=a2
and
b1=b2.

Here z1 and z2 are the two sides of your equation.
Ok I get the basic example you've given as it demonstrates the equality of the real and imaginary parts of two different complex numbers given z1=z2. I am still working towards properly applying that to the separation of the real and imaginary components in the larger expressions.

So for separating out the imaginary side which the book states to be:
X_T=R_TR_AB_C-(1-B_CX_T)(X_A+X_L)
which comes from:
{R_T+jX_T \over 1+jB_C(R_T+jX_T)}+jX_L = R_A-jX_A
I can take it as far as:
{R_T+jX_T \over 1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T} = R_A-jX_A-jX_L
jX_T=(R_A-jX_A-jX_L)(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)-R_T
jX_T=R_A+R_AjB_CR_T-R_AB_CX_T<br /> -jX_A+X_AB_CR_T+jX_AB_CX_T<br /> -jX_L+X_LB_CR_T+jX_LB_CX_T-R_T
jX_T=R_A(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)+X_A(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T)+X_L(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T)-R_T
jX_T=R_A(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)+(X_A+X_L)(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T)-R_T
What is the next step towards separating out XT?
 
You need to work more on the right side.
Collect all the terms with j. This will be the imaginary part of the left hand side. (Im)
Collect all terms without j. This will be the real part. (Re)

The way you wrote it so far, you have only imaginary part on the left side.
So after you do the above, you will have
XT=Im
and
0=Re.

Solve the two equations for whatever you want to find.
 
nasu said:
You need to work more on the right side.
Collect all the terms with j. This will be the imaginary part of the left hand side. (Im)
Collect all terms without j. This will be the real part. (Re)

The way you wrote it so far, you have only imaginary part on the left side.
So after you do the above, you will have
XT=Im
and
0=Re.

Solve the two equations for whatever you want to find.

When I solve for XT I get:
X_T={R_T+jX_T \over R_A(-jB_C^2R_T)+(X_A+X_L)(jB_C-B_C^2R_T)}
which doesn't seem to be much better than the last attempt.
Perhaps you would be willing to show me the transformation to XT=Im as you have described?
 
  • #10
ChasW. said:
When I solve for XT I get:
X_T={R_T+jX_T \over R_A(-jB_C^2R_T)+(X_A+X_L)(jB_C-B_C^2R_T)}
You're mixing real and imaginary again.

Consider
$$
\begin{align}
\frac{A + j B}{C + j D} &= F + jG \\
A + j B &= (C + j D)(F + jG) \\
A + j B &= CF + j CG + j DF - DG \\
A + j B &= (CF - DG) + j (CG + DF)
\end{align}
$$
Look at that last line. It means that ##A = CF - DG## and ##B = CG + DF##. You need to do something similar with your equation.
 
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  • #11
DrClaude said:
You're mixing real and imaginary again.

Consider
$$
\begin{align}
\frac{A + j B}{C + j D} &= F + jG \\
A + j B &= (C + j D)(F + jG) \\
A + j B &= CF + j CG + j DF - DG \\
A + j B &= (CF - DG) + j (CG + DF)
\end{align}
$$
Look at that last line. It means that ##A = CF - DG## and ##B = CG + DF##. You need to do something similar with your equation.
I think this helped.

Starting from
R_T+jX_T=R_A(1+jB_CR_T-B_CX_T)+(X_A+X_L)(-j+B_CR_T+jB_CX_T)
Using what you've provided I can see that
R_T=R_A(1-B_CX_T)+(X_A+X_L)(B_CR_T)
which also brings me closer with XT
X_T=R_AB_CR_T+(X_A+X_L)(-1+B_CX_T)
If I can just find the sign error now. For XT, the book has
X_T=R_TR_AB_C-(1-B_CX_T)(X_A+X_L)
... or is that actually not an error, but rather adding the opposite? Mental fatigue has bested me :)

Thank you both.
Charles
 
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  • #12
ChasW. said:
X_T=R_AB_CR_T+(X_A+X_L)(-1+B_CX_T)
If I can just find the sign error now. For XT, the book has
X_T=R_TR_AB_C-(1-B_CX_T)(X_A+X_L)
... or is that actually not an error, but rather adding the opposite? Mental fatigue has bested me :)
When your brain has rested, I'm sure you'll see that
(-1+B_CX_T) (X_A+X_L) = -(1-B_CX_T) (X_A+X_L)
 
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  • #13
It's not an error. They are the same.
Take the "-" outside the parenthesis and you get the result in the book.
 
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  • #14
Sounds right
 
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