Epsilon and Dual Numbers
Algebra · 34th MATHirang MATHibay | proposed by @lancemaths
Complex numbers are numbers of the form $a + bi$, where $a, b \in \mathbb{R}$ and $i^2 = -1$. We call $b$ as the complex part of the number. Suppose the number $\varepsilon$ satisfies $\varepsilon^2 = 0$ with $\varepsilon \neq 0$. We define dual numbers similarly but instead of $i$, we use $\varepsilon$. That is, dual numbers are numbers of the form $a + b\varepsilon$ where $a, b \in \mathbb{R}$. Here, we call $b$ the dual part of the number. Addition and multiplication are performed analogously: $$ (a_1 + b_1\varepsilon) + (a_2 + b_2\varepsilon) = (a_1 + a_2) + (b_1 + b_2)\varepsilon$$and $$(a_1 + b_1\varepsilon) \cdot (a_2 + b_2\varepsilon) = a_1a_2 + (a_1b_2 + a_2b_1)\varepsilon.$$Find the dual part of $(-1 + 2\varepsilon)^{2026}$.