Unity - Complex [24 marks]
1. [Maximum mark: 24]
This question asks you to investigate and prove a geometric property
involving the roots of the equation zn = 1 where z ∈ C for integers n,
where n ≥ 2.
The roots of the equation zn = 1 where z ∈ C are 1, ω, ω ,
2
…, ω
n−1
,
2πi
where ω = e n . Each root can be represented by a point
P0, P1, P2, … , Pn−1, respectively, on an Argand diagram.
For example, the roots of the equation z2 = 1 where z ∈ C are 1 and ω. On
an Argand diagram, the root 1 can be represented by a point P0 and the root ω
can be represented by a point P1.
Consider the case where n = 3.
The roots of the equation z3 = 1 where z ∈ C are 1, ω and ω . On the
2
following Argand diagram, the points P0, P1 and P2 lie on a circle of radius 1
unit with centre O(0, 0).
2 3
( )( )
(a.i) Show that (ω − 1)(ω2 + ω + 1) = ω
3
− 1.
[2]
([Link]) Hence, deduce that ω2 + ω + 1 = 0. [2]
Line segments [P0P1] and [P0P2] are added to the Argand diagram in part (a)
and are shown on the following Argand diagram.
P0P1is the length of [P0P1] and P0P2 is the length of [P0P2].
(b) Show that P0P1 × P0P2 = 3. [3]
Consider the case where n = 4.
The roots of the equation z4 = 1 where z ∈ C are 1, ω, ω
2
and ω3.
(c) By factorizing z4 − 1, or otherwise, deduce that
+ ω + 1 = 0. [2]
3 2
ω + ω
On the following Argand diagram, the points P0, P1, P2 and P3 lie on a
circle of radius 1 unit with centre O(0, 0). [P0P1], [P0P2] and [P0P3] are
line segments.
(d) Show that P0P1 × P0P2 × P0P3 = 4. [4]
For the case where n = 5, the equation z
5
= 1 where z ∈ C has roots
1, ω, ω , ω
2 3
and ω .
4
It can be shown that P0P1 × P0P2 × P0P3 × P0P4 = 5.
Now consider the general case for integer values of n, where n ≥ 2.
The roots of the equation zn = 1 where z ∈ C are 1, ω, ω ,
2
…, ω
n−1
.
On an Argand diagram, these roots can be represented by the points
P0, P1, P2, … , Pn−1 respectively where
[P0P1], [P0P2], … , [P0Pn−1] are line segments. The roots lie on a circle
of radius 1 unit with centre O(0, 0).
(e) Suggest a value for P0P1 × P0P2 × … × P0Pn−1. [1]
P0P1 can be expressed as |1 − ω|.
(f.i) Write down expressions for P0P2 and P0P3 in terms of ω. [2]
([Link]) Hence, write down an expression for P0Pn−1 in terms of n
and ω. [1]
Consider zn − 1 = (z − 1)(z
n−1
+ z
n−2
+ … + z + 1) where
z ∈ C.
(g.i) Express zn−1 + z
n−2
+ … + z + 1 as a product of
linear factors over the set C. [3]
([Link]) Hence, using the part (g)(i) and part (f ) results, or otherwise,
prove your suggested result to part (e). [4]
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