Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
OpenStax Logo
Intermediate Algebra 2e

Key Terms

Intermediate Algebra 2eKey Terms

Key Terms

complex conjugate pair
A complex conjugate pair is of the form a + bi, a – bi.
complex number
A complex number is of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers. We call a the real part and b the imaginary part.
complex number system
The complex number system is made up of both the real numbers and the imaginary numbers.
imaginary unit
The imaginary unit ii is the number whose square is –1. i2 = –1 or i=−1.i=−1.
like radicals
Like radicals are radical expressions with the same index and the same radicand.
radical equation
An equation in which a variable is in the radicand of a radical expression is called a radical equation.
radical function
A radical function is a function that is defined by a radical expression.
rationalizing the denominator
Rationalizing the denominator is the process of converting a fraction with a radical in the denominator to an equivalent fraction whose denominator is an integer.
square of a number
If n2 = m, then m is the square of n.
square root of a number
If n2 = m, then n is a square root of m.
standard form
A complex number is in standard form when written as a+bi,a+bi, where a, b are real numbers.
PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/intermediate-algebra-2e/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/intermediate-algebra-2e/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

© Mar 24, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.