What is the Imaginary Unit i?

What is the Imaginary Unit i?

Note:

Every tried to take the square root of a negative number? You'll need the imaginary unit 'i' to write the answer. This tutorial introduces you to this useful imaginary unit.

Keywords:

  • imaginary unit
  • i
  • imaginary numbers
  • complex
  • square root of a negative
  • definition

Background Tutorials

  • Definitions and Properties of Square Roots

      • What is the Product Property of Square Roots?What is the Product Property of Square Roots?

      What is the Product Property of Square Roots?

      The product property of square roots is really helpful when you're simplifying radicals. This property lets you take a square root of a product of numbers and break up the radical into the product of separate square roots. Check out this tutorial and learn about the product property of square roots!

  • Evaluating Expressions

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Imaginary and Complex Numbers

      • How Do You Simplify the Square Root of a Negative Number?How Do You Simplify the Square Root of a Negative Number?

      How Do You Simplify the Square Root of a Negative Number?

      Simplifying the square root of a negative number is very similar to simplifying the square root of a positive number. You just need to remember 'i' in your answer! Check out this tutorial to see how to simplify the square root of a negative number.

      • What is an Imaginary Number?What is an Imaginary Number?

      What is an Imaginary Number?

      Imaginary numbers are used to help us work with numbers that involve taking the square root of a negative number. In this tutorial, you'll be introduced to imaginary numbers and learn that they're a type of complex number.

  • Rules of Exponents

      • What are Exponents?What are Exponents?

      What are Exponents?

      Did you know that another word for 'exponent' is 'power'? To learn the meaning of these words and to see some special cases involving exponents, check out this tutorial!

Further Exploration

  • Imaginary and Complex Numbers

      • How Do You Multiply Pure Imaginary Numbers?How Do You Multiply Pure Imaginary Numbers?

      How Do You Multiply Pure Imaginary Numbers?

      You can multiply imaginary numbers like you multiply variables. Just remember that 'i' isn't a variable, it's an imaginary unit! This tutorial shows you the steps to find the product of pure imaginary numbers.