# Equivalence Classes

• May 8th 2010, 11:31 AM
iwish123
Equivalence Classes
Hello, Im having problems with equivalence classes.

The relation R is defined for complex numbers z=x+yi and w=a+bi. zRw if and only if x+b=y+a

I am asked to give the elements of the equivalence class containg [i]

I have wrote, [i]={xeC:xRi}={xeC:x-i} to begin finding the equivalence classes, but am stuck trying to find the elements
• May 8th 2010, 11:56 AM
Plato
Is this true $(0+1\cdot i)\mathcal{R}(1+0\cdot i)?$
• May 8th 2010, 12:08 PM
iwish123
No, because you can't relate the real numbers to the imaginery numbers?
• May 8th 2010, 12:17 PM
Plato
Quote:

Originally Posted by iwish123
No, because you can't relate the real numbers to the imaginery numbers?

What are imaginary numbers?
Are they ghosts of dearly departed real numbers?
• May 8th 2010, 12:43 PM
iwish123
Quote:

Originally Posted by Plato
What are imaginary numbers?
Are they ghosts of dearly departed real numbers?

The real numbers are a subset of the complex numbers. a+ib is a complex numbers, so imaginary numbers can be added or subtracted to the realnumber to form a complex number.

I know i^2 is -1

So the equivalence class containing i will just be those elements congruent to i? So the elements would be the complex numbers. Or is this chasing the wrong argument?