Definition of the word conjugate

In algebra, the term "conjugate" is used to describe the opposite operation of a given operation. For instance, the conjugate of addition is subtraction, and the conjugate of multiplication is division. This terminology comes from the fact that if you perform an operation (such as adding) and then undo it (through subtraction), you're left with your original number. However, the more commonly known meaning of conjugate is in the context of complex numbers. A complex number is made up of a real part and an imaginary part, separated by the letter "i", which is the square root of minus one. The conjugate of a complex number is simply the same number, but with the imaginary part replaced by its opposite. For example, the conjugate of 3 + 4i is 3 - 4i. In a mathematical sense, the conjugate of a complex number can be thought of as a "mirror image" version of the original number, reflected across the real axis. Both meanings of conjugate share a theme of opposite or complementary operations, but they're used in different mathematical contexts.