Final answer:
To multiply the complex numbers (-4-8i) and (3+i), we follow the distributive property, combining like terms after multiplying each pair of terms, resulting in a final product of -4 - 28i.
Step-by-step explanation:
To multiply two complex numbers such as (-4-8i)(3+i), we apply the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method in this context — which stands for First, Outer, Inner, Last). Here's the step-by-step calculation:
- Multiply the First terms: (-4) × 3 = -12.
- Multiply the Outer terms: (-4) × i = -4i.
- Multiply the Inner terms: (-8i) × 3 = -24i.
- Multiply the Last terms: (-8i) × i = -8i². Since i² = -1, this is equivalent to 8.
Combine these results: -12 - 4i - 24i + 8.
Combine like terms (the real numbers and the imaginary numbers separately): (-12 + 8) + (-4i - 24i).
Simplify the expression: -4 - 28i.
The product of the given complex numbers is -4 - 28i.