4.02r nth roots: of complex numbers

120 questions

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Edexcel FP2 2009 June Q2
6 marks Standard +0.8
Solve the equation $$z ^ { 3 } = 4 \sqrt { } 2 - 4 \sqrt { } 2 i$$ giving your answers in the form \(r ( \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta )\), where \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\).
OCR MEI FP2 2006 June Q2
18 marks Challenging +1.2
2
    1. Given that \(z = \cos \theta + \mathrm { j } \sin \theta\), express \(z ^ { n } + \frac { 1 } { z ^ { n } }\) and \(z ^ { n } - \frac { 1 } { z ^ { n } }\) in simplified trigonometric form.
    2. By considering \(\left( z - \frac { 1 } { z } \right) ^ { 4 } \left( z + \frac { 1 } { z } \right) ^ { 2 }\), find \(A , B , C\) and \(D\) such that $$\sin ^ { 4 } \theta \cos ^ { 2 } \theta = A \cos 6 \theta + B \cos 4 \theta + C \cos 2 \theta + D$$
    1. Find the modulus and argument of \(4 + 4 \mathrm { j }\).
    2. Find the fifth roots of \(4 + 4 \mathrm { j }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). Illustrate these fifth roots on an Argand diagram.
    3. Find integers \(p\) and \(q\) such that \(( p + q \mathrm { j } ) ^ { 5 } = 4 + 4 \mathrm { j }\).
OCR MEI FP2 2007 June Q2
18 marks Standard +0.8
2
  1. Use de Moivre's theorem to show that \(\sin 5 \theta = 5 \sin \theta - 20 \sin ^ { 3 } \theta + 16 \sin ^ { 5 } \theta\).
    1. Find the cube roots of \(- 2 + 2 \mathrm { j }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\) where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). These cube roots are represented by points \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }\) and C in the Argand diagram, with A in the first quadrant and ABC going anticlockwise. The midpoint of AB is M , and M represents the complex number \(w\).
    2. Draw an Argand diagram, showing the points \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B } , \mathrm { C }\) and M .
    3. Find the modulus and argument of \(w\).
    4. Find \(w ^ { 6 }\) in the form \(a + b \mathrm { j }\).
OCR MEI FP2 2008 June Q2
18 marks Standard +0.8
2 You are given the complex numbers \(z = \sqrt { 32 } ( 1 + \mathrm { j } )\) and \(w = 8 \left( \cos \frac { 7 } { 12 } \pi + \mathrm { j } \sin \frac { 7 } { 12 } \pi \right)\).
  1. Find the modulus and argument of each of the complex numbers \(z , z ^ { * } , z w\) and \(\frac { z } { w }\).
  2. Express \(\frac { z } { w }\) in the form \(a + b \mathrm { j }\), giving the exact values of \(a\) and \(b\).
  3. Find the cube roots of \(z\), in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\).
  4. Show that the cube roots of \(z\) can be written as $$k _ { 1 } w ^ { * } , \quad k _ { 2 } z ^ { * } \quad \text { and } \quad k _ { 3 } \mathrm { j } w ,$$ where \(k _ { 1 } , k _ { 2 }\) and \(k _ { 3 }\) are real numbers. State the values of \(k _ { 1 } , k _ { 2 }\) and \(k _ { 3 }\).
OCR MEI FP2 2010 June Q2
16 marks Challenging +1.2
2
  1. Given that \(z = \cos \theta + \mathrm { j } \sin \theta\), express \(z ^ { n } + \frac { 1 } { z ^ { n } }\) and \(z ^ { n } - \frac { 1 } { z ^ { n } }\) in simplified trigonometric form.
    Hence find the constants \(A , B , C\) in the identity $$\sin ^ { 5 } \theta \equiv A \sin \theta + B \sin 3 \theta + C \sin 5 \theta$$
    1. Find the 4th roots of - 9 j in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(0 < \theta < 2 \pi\). Illustrate the roots on an Argand diagram.
    2. Let the points representing these roots, taken in order of increasing \(\theta\), be \(\mathrm { P } , \mathrm { Q } , \mathrm { R } , \mathrm { S }\). The mid-points of the sides of PQRS represent the 4th roots of a complex number \(w\). Find the modulus and argument of \(w\). Mark the point representing \(w\) on your Argand diagram.
OCR FP3 Specimen Q4
9 marks Standard +0.3
4 In this question, give your answers exactly in polar form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\).
  1. Express \(4 ( ( \sqrt { } 3 ) - \mathrm { i } )\) in polar form.
  2. Find the cube roots of \(4 ( ( \sqrt { } 3 ) - \mathrm { i } )\) in polar form.
  3. Sketch an Argand diagram showing the positions of the cube roots found in part (ii). Hence, or otherwise, prove that the sum of these cube roots is zero.
OCR MEI FP2 2008 January Q2
18 marks Challenging +1.2
2
  1. Find the 4th roots of 16j, in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\) where \(r > 0\) and \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). Illustrate the 4th roots on an Argand diagram.
    1. Show that \(\left( 1 - 2 \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta } \right) \left( 1 - 2 \mathrm { e } ^ { - \mathrm { j } \theta } \right) = 5 - 4 \cos \theta\). Series \(C\) and \(S\) are defined by $$\begin{aligned} & C = 2 \cos \theta + 4 \cos 2 \theta + 8 \cos 3 \theta + \ldots + 2 ^ { n } \cos n \theta \\ & S = 2 \sin \theta + 4 \sin 2 \theta + 8 \sin 3 \theta + \ldots + 2 ^ { n } \sin n \theta \end{aligned}$$
    2. Show that \(C = \frac { 2 \cos \theta - 4 - 2 ^ { n + 1 } \cos ( n + 1 ) \theta + 2 ^ { n + 2 } \cos n \theta } { 5 - 4 \cos \theta }\), and find a similar expression for \(S\).
Edexcel F2 2018 June Q7
11 marks Challenging +1.2
7.(a)Use de Moivre's theorem to show that $$\cos 7 \theta \equiv 64 \cos ^ { 7 } \theta - 112 \cos ^ { 5 } \theta + 56 \cos ^ { 3 } \theta - 7 \cos \theta$$ (b)Hence find the four distinct roots of the equation $$64 x ^ { 7 } - 112 x ^ { 5 } + 56 x ^ { 3 } - 7 x + 1 = 0$$ giving your answers to 3 decimal places where necessary.
OCR MEI FP2 2012 January Q2
18 marks Standard +0.3
2
  1. The infinite series \(C\) and \(S\) are defined as follows. $$\begin{aligned} & C = 1 + a \cos \theta + a ^ { 2 } \cos 2 \theta + \ldots \\ & S = a \sin \theta + a ^ { 2 } \sin 2 \theta + a ^ { 3 } \sin 3 \theta + \ldots \end{aligned}$$ where \(a\) is a real number and \(| a | < 1\).
    By considering \(C + \mathrm { j } S\), show that \(C = \frac { 1 - a \cos \theta } { 1 + a ^ { 2 } - 2 a \cos \theta }\) and find a corresponding expression for \(S\).
  2. Express the complex number \(z = - 1 + \mathrm { j } \sqrt { 3 }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\). Find the 4th roots of \(z\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\).
    Show \(z\) and its 4th roots in an Argand diagram.
    Find the product of the 4th roots and mark this as a point on your Argand diagram.
OCR FP3 2012 January Q2
7 marks Standard +0.8
2
  1. Show that \(\left( z ^ { n } - \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta } \right) \left( z ^ { n } - \mathrm { e } ^ { - \mathrm { i } \theta } \right) \equiv z ^ { 2 n } - ( 2 \cos \theta ) z ^ { n } + 1\).
  2. Express \(z ^ { 4 } - z ^ { 2 } + 1\) as the product of four factors of the form \(\left( z - e ^ { \mathrm { i } \alpha } \right)\), where \(0 \leqslant \alpha < 2 \pi\).
OCR FP3 2013 January Q5
7 marks Challenging +1.2
5
  1. Solve the equation \(z ^ { 5 } = 1\), giving your answers in polar form.
  2. Hence, by considering the equation \(( z + 1 ) ^ { 5 } = z ^ { 5 }\), show that the roots of $$5 z ^ { 4 } + 10 z ^ { 3 } + 10 z ^ { 2 } + 5 z + 1 = 0$$ can be expressed in the form \(\frac { 1 } { \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta } - 1 }\), stating the values of \(\theta\).
OCR FP3 2012 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2
  1. Solve the equation \(z ^ { 4 } = 2 ( 1 + \mathrm { i } \sqrt { 3 } )\), giving the roots exactly in the form \(r ( \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta )\), where \(r > 0\) and \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\).
  2. Sketch an Argand diagram to show the lines from the origin to the point representing \(2 ( 1 + i \sqrt { 3 } )\) and from the origin to the points which represent the roots of the equation in part (i).
OCR FP3 2014 June Q3
10 marks Standard +0.3
3
  1. Solve the equation \(z ^ { 6 } = 1\), giving your answers in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\), and sketch an Argand diagram showing the positions of the roots.
  2. Show that \(( 1 + \mathrm { i } ) ^ { 6 } = - 8 \mathrm { i }\).
  3. Hence, or otherwise, solve the equation \(z ^ { 6 } + 8 \mathrm { i } = 0\), giving your answers in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\).
OCR MEI FP2 2011 June Q2
18 marks Challenging +1.2
2
  1. Use de Moivre's theorem to find expressions for \(\sin 5 \theta\) and \(\cos 5 \theta\) in terms of \(\sin \theta\) and \(\cos \theta\).
    Hence show that, if \(t = \tan \theta\), then $$\tan 5 \theta = \frac { t \left( t ^ { 4 } - 10 t ^ { 2 } + 5 \right) } { 5 t ^ { 4 } - 10 t ^ { 2 } + 1 }$$
    1. Find the 5th roots of \(- 4 \sqrt { 2 }\) in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { j } \theta }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\). These 5th roots are represented in the Argand diagram, in order of increasing \(\theta\), by the points A , \(\mathrm { B } , \mathrm { C } , \mathrm { D } , \mathrm { E }\).
    2. Draw the Argand diagram, making clear which point is which. The mid-point of AB is the point P which represents the complex number \(w\).
    3. Find, in exact form, the modulus and argument of \(w\).
    4. \(w\) is an \(n\)th root of a real number \(a\), where \(n\) is a positive integer. State the least possible value of \(n\) and find the corresponding value of \(a\).
OCR FP3 2009 June Q1
4 marks Standard +0.3
1 Find the cube roots of \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \sqrt { 3 } + \frac { 1 } { 2 } \mathrm { i }\), giving your answers in the form \(\cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta\), where \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\).
OCR FP3 2016 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.3
1 In this question, give all non-real numbers in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\) where \(r > 0\) and \(0 < \theta < 2 \pi\).
  1. Solve \(z ^ { 5 } = 1\).
  2. Hence, or otherwise, solve \(z ^ { 5 } + 32 = 0\). Sketch an Argand diagram showing the roots.
CAIE FP1 2010 June Q9
11 marks Standard +0.3
9
  1. Write down the five fifth roots of unity.
  2. Hence find all the roots of the equation $$z ^ { 5 } + 16 + ( 16 \sqrt { } 3 ) i = 0$$ giving answers in the form \(r \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } q \pi }\), where \(r > 0\) and \(q\) is a rational number. Show these roots on an Argand diagram. Let \(w\) be a root of the equation in part (ii).
  3. Show that $$\sum _ { k = 0 } ^ { 4 } \left( \frac { w } { 2 } \right) ^ { k } = \frac { 3 + \mathrm { i } \sqrt { } 3 } { 2 - w }$$
  4. Identify the root for which \(| 2 - w |\) is least.
CAIE FP1 2012 June Q6
9 marks Challenging +1.2
6 Write down the values of \(\theta\), in the interval \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\), for which \(\cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta\) is a fifth root of unity. By writing the equation \(( z + 1 ) ^ { 5 } = z ^ { 5 }\) in the form $$\left( \frac { z + 1 } { z } \right) ^ { 5 } = 1$$ show that its roots are $$- \frac { 1 } { 2 } \left\{ 1 + \mathrm { i } \cot \left( \frac { k \pi } { 5 } \right) \right\} , \quad k = 1,2,3,4$$
CAIE FP1 2013 June Q11 OR
Standard +0.8
Show the cube roots of 1 on an Argand diagram. Show that the two non-real cube roots can be expressed in the form \(\omega\) and \(\omega ^ { 2 }\), and find these cube roots in exact cartesian form \(x + i y\). Evaluate the determinant $$\left| \begin{array} { c c c } 1 & 3 \omega & 2 \omega ^ { 2 } \\ 3 \omega ^ { 2 } & 2 & \omega \\ 2 \omega & \omega ^ { 2 } & 3 \end{array} \right|$$ It is given that \(z = ( 4 \sqrt { } 3 ) \left( \cos \frac { 4 } { 3 } \pi + i \sin \frac { 4 } { 3 } \pi \right) - 4 \left( \cos \frac { 11 } { 6 } \pi + i \sin \frac { 11 } { 6 } \pi \right)\). Express \(z\) in the form \(r ( \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta )\), giving exact values for \(r\) and \(\theta\). Hence find the cube roots of \(z\) in the form \(r ( \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta )\).
CAIE FP1 2018 June Q11 EITHER
Challenging +1.2
  1. Show that if \(z = \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\) and \(z \neq - 1\) then $$\frac { z - 1 } { z + 1 } = \mathrm { i } \tan \frac { 1 } { 2 } \theta$$
  2. Hence, or otherwise, show that if \(z\) is a cube root of unity then $$\frac { z ^ { 3 } - 1 } { z ^ { 3 } + 1 } + \frac { z ^ { 2 } - 1 } { z ^ { 2 } + 1 } + \frac { z - 1 } { z + 1 } = 0$$
  3. Hence write down three roots of the equation $$\left( z ^ { 3 } - 1 \right) \left( z ^ { 2 } + 1 \right) ( z + 1 ) + \left( z ^ { 2 } - 1 \right) \left( z ^ { 3 } + 1 \right) ( z + 1 ) + ( z - 1 ) \left( z ^ { 3 } + 1 \right) \left( z ^ { 2 } + 1 \right) = 0$$ and find the other three roots. Give your answers in an exact form.
CAIE FP1 2019 June Q3
7 marks Moderate -0.3
3
  1. Write down the fifth roots of unity.
  2. Find all the roots of the equation $$z ^ { 10 } + z ^ { 5 } + 1 = 0$$ giving each root in the form \(\mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta }\).
CAIE FP1 2002 November Q7
9 marks Challenging +1.2
7 Given that \(z = \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta\), show that
  1. \(z - \frac { 1 } { z } = 2 \mathrm { i } \sin \theta\).
  2. \(z ^ { n } + z ^ { - n } = 2 \cos n \theta\). Hence show that $$\sin ^ { 6 } \theta = \frac { 1 } { 32 } ( 10 - 15 \cos 2 \theta + 6 \cos 4 \theta - \cos 6 \theta )$$ Find a similar expression for \(\cos ^ { 6 } \theta\), and hence express \(\cos ^ { 6 } \theta - \sin ^ { 6 } \theta\) in the fom \(a \cos 2 \theta + b \cos 6 \theta\).
CAIE FP1 2004 November Q6
8 marks Standard +0.3
6 Write down all the 8th roots of unity. Verify that $$\left( z - \mathrm { e } ^ { \mathrm { i } \theta } \right) \left( z - \mathrm { e } ^ { - \mathrm { i } \theta } \right) \equiv z ^ { 2 } - ( 2 \cos \theta ) z + 1$$ Hence express \(z ^ { 8 } - 1\) as the product of two linear factors and three quadratic factors, where all coefficients are real and expressed in a non-trigonometric form.
CAIE FP1 2006 November Q11
13 marks Challenging +1.2
11 Prove de Moivre's theorem for a positive integral exponent: $$\text { for all positive integers } n , \quad ( \cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta ) ^ { n } = \cos n \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin n \theta \text {. }$$ Use de Moivre's theorem to show that $$\cos 7 \theta = 64 \cos ^ { 7 } \theta - 112 \cos ^ { 5 } \theta + 56 \cos ^ { 3 } \theta - 7 \cos \theta$$ Hence obtain the roots of the equation $$128 x ^ { 7 } - 224 x ^ { 5 } + 112 x ^ { 3 } - 14 x + 1 = 0$$ in the form \(\cos q \pi\), where \(q\) is a rational number.
CAIE FP1 2013 November Q16 EITHER
Standard +0.3
State the fifth roots of unity in the form \(\cos \theta + \mathrm { i } \sin \theta\), where \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). Simplify $$\left( x - \left[ \cos \frac { 2 } { 5 } \pi + i \sin \frac { 2 } { 5 } \pi \right] \right) \left( x - \left[ \cos \frac { 2 } { 5 } \pi - i \sin \frac { 2 } { 5 } \pi \right] \right)$$ Hence find the real factors of $$x ^ { 5 } - 1$$ Express the six roots of the equation $$x ^ { 6 } - x ^ { 3 } + 1 = 0$$ as three conjugate pairs, in the form \(\cos \theta \pm \mathrm { i } \sin \theta\). Hence find the real factors of $$x ^ { 6 } - x ^ { 3 } + 1$$