De Moivre’s Theorem

This theorem can be described as follows:

Let an angle Ɵ be and any integer be n

Then (Cos Ɵ + iSin Ɵ )n = Cos nƟ + iSin nƟ

where i = √-1

Extended further it becomes

[v (Cos Ɵ + iSin Ɵ )]n = vn (Cos nƟ + iSin nƟ). Alternatively represented as:

Ɵ 360° Ɵ 360°
Zk = v1/n [Cos ( n +k n ) + iSin ( n +k n )], for k = 0, 1, 2..., n-1

The Scope of this theorem

It is used to :

 Compute a complex number’s positive power

 Compute nth roots of a complex number
 Provide trigonometric identities
 Solve differential equations
 Find an infinite series’ sum

Examples of roots

1. Assume we have z = -16

This can be written as

-16 = 16 (Cos π + iSin π)

To find the fourth root we have formula

Zk = 161/4 [Cos (π+2kπ) + iSin (π+2kπ)] 1/4

π + 2 kπ π + 2 kπ
= 2[Cos ( 4
) + i Sin (
4
)]
 π π
Zo = 2[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )] = √2 + √2i

3π 3π
Z1 = 2[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )] = -√2 + √2i

5π 5π
Z2 = 2[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )] = -√2 - √2i

7π 7π
Z3 = 2[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )] = √2 - √2i

2. Assume we have z = 27i

In polar form
π π
27i = = 27[Cos ( 2 ) + iSin ( 2 )]

To find the complex cube roots

π π
Zk = 271/3[Cos ( 2 +2 kπ ) + iSin ( 2 +2 kπ )] 1/3

π π
+2 kπ +2 kπ
Zk = 3[Cos ( 2
) + i Sin (
2
)]
3 3

Therefore,
π π 3√3 3
Z0 = 3[Cos ( 6 ) + iSin ( 6 )] = 2 + 2 i

5π 5π −3 √ 3 3
Z1 = 3[Cos ( 6 ) + iSin ( 6 )] = 2 + 2 i

3π 3π
Z2 = 3[Cos ( 2 ) + iSin ( 2 )] = -3i

Examples of powers

1. Assume that Z =1 –i and we need to find Z10

In polar form
 −π −π
Z = √ 2[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )]

Therefore,
−π −π
Z10 =[√ 2[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )]]10

−10 π −10 π
= ¿)10[Cos ( 4 ) + iSin ( 4 )]

−5 π −5 π
= ¿)5[Cos ( 2 ) + iSin ( 2 )]

−5 π −5 π
= 32[Cos ( 2 +2 π ) + iSin ( 2 +2 π )]

−π −π
= 32[Cos ( 2 ) + iSin ( 2 )]

= 32 i

2. Assume we have Z =√ 3 –i and we need to find Z6

In polar form
π π
Z =2[Cos ( 6 ) + iSin ( 6 )]

Therefore,
π π
Z6 =[2[Cos ( 6 ) + iSin ( 6 )]]6

6π 6π
= ¿)6 [Cos ( 6 ) + iSin ( 6 )]

= 64 [Cos ( π ) + iSin (π )]

= 64 [-1 + i (0)]

= −64