Subtraction of complex numbers is, if you'll pardon the pun, no more "complex" than addition. In much the same way that we operate on the real and imaginary parts of a complex number in addition, we do the same during the process of subtraction. Let's take a look at an example to show what this means:


Example:


It seems quite natural to operate on the real parts first:

And then on the imaginary part:

To give an overall result:

But, as is always the case in arithmetic, special care needs to be taken when it comes to manipulation of signs, remember that the "real" and "imaginary" parts of the complex number carry a sign, and just like conventional arithmetic that sign is not always shown if for example it is positive. You need to watch out for this.


Example:


The general rule for subtraction of complex numbers is:




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