Application of De Moivre’s Theorem

# Computing nth roots of a complex number:

Let the equation be z n = cos + i sin 

1
z = (cos + i sin  ) n

1
= [cos(2k +  ) + i sin(2k +  )] n

2k +  2k + 
= cos + i sin
n n

Now putting k=0,1,2,……….(k-1),all n roots of the equation are obtained.

1
Ex: Find the values of ( 3 + i) 3
.

Solution: we know 3 + i in polar form

3 + i = r (cos  + i sin  )

3 = r cos

1 = r sin

r = [( 3 ) 2 + (1) 2 ]

r=2

1
and  = tan −1
3


= tan −1 tan
6


=
6

 
Now 3 + i = 2(cos + i sin )
6 6

1   1
( 3 + i) 3
= [2(cos + i sin )] 3
6 6
   1
= [2{cos(2k + ) + i sin(2k + )}] 3
6 6

1 12k + 1 12k + 1 13
= 2 3 {cos( ) + i sin( ) }
6 6

1  
= 2 3 {cos(12k + 1) + i sin((12k + 1) } [By using De Moivre,s theorem]
18 18
1
Putting k=0,1,2, we get all the three values of ( 3 + i) 3
are:

1  
2 3 {cos + i sin },
18 18

1 13 13
2 3 {cos + i sin },
18 18

1 25 25
2 3 {cos + i sin }
18 18 .

# Particular cases:

1 = cos0 + i sin 0 [cos0=1,sin0=0]

−1 = cos + i sin 

 
i = cos + i sin
2 2

 
- i = cos − i sin
2 2
# Solve the equation x 7 + x 4 + x 3 + 1 = 0

With the help of De Moivre’s theorem.

Solution:

x7 + x 4 + x3 + 1 = 0

Or x ( x + 1) + 1( x + 1) = 0
4 3 3

Or ( x + 1)( x + 1) = 0
4 3

x4 + 1 = 0 , x3 + 1 = 0

x 4 = −1 , x 3 = −1
1 1
x = (−1) 4 , x = (−1) 3

We know − 1 = cos + i sin 

1 1
(−1) 4
= (cos + i sin  ) 4

1
= [cos(2k +  ) + i sin(2k +  )] 4

1
= [cos(2k + 1) + i sin(2k + 1) ] 4

 
= [cos(2k + 1) + i sin(2k + 1) ]
4 4
1
4
Putting k=0,1,2,3 , we get the four values of (−1) Which are:

 
When k=0, (cos + i sin )
4 4

3 3  
When k=1 , cos + i sin = cos( − ) + i sin( − )
4 4 4 4

 
= (− cos + i sin )
4 4

5 5  
When k=2, cos + i sin = cos( + ) + i sin( + )
4 4 4 4
  
= (− cos − i sin )
4 4

7 7  
When k=3, cos + i sin = cos(2 − ) + i sin(2 − )
4 4 4 4

 
= (cos − i sin )
4 4

1
Similarly for x = (−1) 3 ,we get

1 1
(−1) 4
= (cos + i sin  ) 3

 
= = [cos(2k + 1) + i sin(2k + 1) ]
3 3
1
3
Putting k=0,1,2, , we get the three values of (−1) Which are:

 
When k=0, (cos + i sin )
3 3

3 3
When k=1, cos + i sin = cos + i sin  =-1
3 3

5 5  
When k=2, cos + i sin = cos(2 − ) + i sin(2 − )
3 3 3 3

 
= cos − i sin
3 3

Hence we get the seven values of x 7 + x 4 + x 3 + 1 = 0 are:

     
-1, (cos  i sin ) , (cos  i sin ) , (− cos  i sin ) .
3 3 4 4 4 4

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