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Abel's theorem in problems and solutions - School of Mathematics

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54 Chapter 2<br />

208. Solve the equation (i.e., f<strong>in</strong>d the formula for the quotient)<br />

It is easy to verify that<br />

i.e., Hence <strong>in</strong> the field <strong>of</strong> complex numbers, square roots <strong>of</strong><br />

negative numbers are well def<strong>in</strong>ed.<br />

209. Calculate a) b) c)<br />

210. F<strong>in</strong>d all complex numbers such that: a) b)<br />

c) d) is a real number).<br />

DEFINITION. The complex number is called the conjugate <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> it is denoted by It is easy to verify that<br />

211. Let <strong>and</strong> be two arbitrary complex numbers. Prove that: a)<br />

b) c) d)<br />

212. Let<br />

where is a complex number <strong>and</strong> all the are real. Prove that<br />

The passage to the complex numbers is a successive step <strong>in</strong> the series:<br />

natural numbers – <strong>in</strong>teger numbers – rational numbers – real numbers –<br />

complex numbers. The reader may feel that up to the real numbers one<br />

deals with numbers, whereas the complex numbers are objects <strong>of</strong> another<br />

nature. Of course, one may use whatever term<strong>in</strong>ology one wishes, but the<br />

complex numbers must, <strong>in</strong> fact, be considered as numbers.<br />

The first objection aga<strong>in</strong>st this is that complex numbers are not numbers,<br />

but pairs <strong>of</strong> numbers. Recall, however, that <strong>in</strong> a similar way one<br />

<strong>in</strong>troduces rational numbers. A rational number is a class <strong>of</strong> equivalent<br />

fractions, <strong>and</strong> a fraction is a pair <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>teger numbers <strong>of</strong> the form<br />

(where <strong>in</strong> this way the operations on rational numbers are simply<br />

operations on pairs <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>teger numbers. Another objection should be<br />

that a number is an object which allows us to measure someth<strong>in</strong>g. If we

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