SOLUTION: (–8 – 6i) – (5 + 3i) = –8 – 6i – 5 + 3i = –8 – 5 – 6i + 3i = –13 – 3i Why is this wrong? How to solve correctly?

Algebra ->  College  -> Linear Algebra -> SOLUTION: (–8 – 6i) – (5 + 3i) = –8 – 6i – 5 + 3i = –8 – 5 – 6i + 3i = –13 – 3i Why is this wrong? How to solve correctly?       Log On


   

Question 718525: (–8 – 6i) – (5 + 3i)
= –8 – 6i – 5 + 3i
= –8 – 5 – 6i + 3i
= –13 – 3i
Why is this wrong?
How to solve correctly?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First step is wrong. Subtract a quantity in parenthese means you are subtracting each term that is grouped.

%28%968%966i%29%96%285%2B3i%29
= –8 – 6i – 5 + 3i SHOULD BE -8-6i-5-3i

Another way to see this is %28-8-6i%29-%285%2B3i%29=-8-6i%2B%28-1%29%285%2B3i%29
=-8-6i%2B%28-1%29%285%29%2B%28-1%29%283i%29
=-8-6i-5-3i


(No reason why the very first line above will not render.)