Is the work shown below correct? Explain your answer.(11 + 2i ) – (3 – 10i ) = 11 + 2i – 3 – 10i = (11 – 3) + (2i – 10i) = 8 – 8i

Answer:

No, the work is incorrect. When subtracting $(3 10i)$, the subtraction sign must be distributed to both terms in the parentheses. This means $(10i)$ should become $10i$. The correct steps should be: $11 2i 3 10i (11 3) (2i 10i) 8 12i$.