How do you multiply #(1+i)(1-i)#?

1 Answer
Jan 31, 2016

Just as you would multiply any similar set of brackets: FOIL (first, outers, inners, lasts). In this case this totals 2.

Explanation:

Multiplying through using the FOIL approach:

#(1+i)(1-i) = (1*1) + (1*-i) + (i*1) + (i*-i)#
#= (1 + i - i -i^2)# but remember, since #i=sqrt(-1)#, #i^2=-1#.
#= 1+1 = 2#

in this case, the answer is a real number.