How do you evaluate (6- i \sqrt { 2} ) ( 6+ i \sqrt { 2} )?

1 Answer
Oct 26, 2017

Expand the expression using the FOIL method.

Explanation:

So all we're doing is expanding the brackets.

We can do this by using the FOIL method.

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Now looking at the expression, we see a positive and negative b and d value. You can think of this as an expanded form of a difference of squares (a^2-b^2).

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If we apply this concept to this expression, that means there will be no middle value.

(6-isqrt2)(6+isqrt2)

=36-2i^2

=~2i^2 +36

If we equate this expression to 0, then...

0=~2i^2 +36

~36=~2i^2

18=i^2

sqrt18=i

Hope this helps :)