Question

simplify.
(-2 + 8i) - (-3 - 9i)
write your answer in the form a + bi.

Explanation:

Step1: Distribute the negative sign

To simplify \((-2 + 8i)-(-3 - 9i)\), we first distribute the negative sign to the terms inside the second parentheses. This gives us \(-2 + 8i + 3 + 9i\) (because subtracting a negative is like adding the positive, so \(-(-3 - 9i)=+3 + 9i\)).

Step2: Combine like terms

Now we combine the real parts and the imaginary parts separately. For the real parts: \(-2 + 3 = 1\). For the imaginary parts: \(8i + 9i = 17i\).

Answer:

\(1 + 17i\)