Find the best solutions to your problems with the help of IDNLearn.com. Ask your questions and get detailed, reliable answers from our community of experienced experts.

Donte simplified the expression below.

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
4(1 + 3i) - (8 - 5i) \\
4 + 12i - 8 + 5i \\
-4 + 17i
\end{array}
\][/tex]

What mistake did Donte make?

A. He did not apply the distributive property correctly for [tex]\(4(1 + 3i)\)[/tex].

B. He did not distribute the subtraction sign correctly for [tex]\(8 - 5i\)[/tex].

C. He added the real number and coefficient of [tex]\(i\)[/tex] in [tex]\(4(1 + 3i)\)[/tex].

D. He added the two complex numbers instead of subtracting.


Sagot :

To identify and explain Donte's mistake, let's simplify the expression [tex]\(4(1 + 3i) - (8 - 5i)\)[/tex] step by step correctly:

1. Applying the distributive property:
- For [tex]\(4(1 + 3i)\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 4 \cdot 1 + 4 \cdot 3i = 4 + 12i \][/tex]

2. Distributing the minus sign:
- For [tex]\(-(8 - 5i)\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ -8 + 5i \][/tex]

3. Combining the results:
- Add [tex]\(4 + 12i\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-8 + 5i\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ (4 + 12i) - (8 - 5i) = 4 + 12i - 8 + 5i \][/tex]

4. Simplifying the final expression:
- Combine the real numbers: [tex]\(4 - 8 = -4\)[/tex]
- Combine the imaginary parts: [tex]\(12i + 5i = 17i\)[/tex]
[tex]\[ -4 + 17i \][/tex]

Now, let's look at Donte's steps and identify the mistake:

1. Donte rewrote the expression as:
[tex]\[ 4 + 3i - 8 + 5i \][/tex]
This step is incorrect because it seems like Donte mistakenly added the real number 4 and the imaginary coefficient [tex]\(3i\)[/tex] individually without correctly applying the distributive property.

Thus, Donte's mistake was:
He added the real number and coefficient of [tex]\(4(1+3i)\)[/tex] instead of multiplying.