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Difference between revisions of "Roots of unity"

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The '''Roots of unity''' are a topic closely related to [[trigonometry]]. Roots of unity come up when we examine the [[complex number|complex]] [[root]]s of the [[polynomial]] <math> x^n=1 </math>.
 
The '''Roots of unity''' are a topic closely related to [[trigonometry]]. Roots of unity come up when we examine the [[complex number|complex]] [[root]]s of the [[polynomial]] <math> x^n=1 </math>.
  
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== Solving the equation ==
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== Solving the Equation ==
  
 
First, we note that since we have an '''n'''th degree polynomial, there will be '''n''' complex roots.
 
First, we note that since we have an '''n'''th degree polynomial, there will be '''n''' complex roots.
  
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Now, we can convert everything to [[polar]] by letting <math>x = re^{i\theta} </math>, and noting that <math>1 = e^{2\pi ik}</math> for <math> k\in \mathbb{Z}</math>, to get <math>r^ne^{ni\theta} = e^{2\pi ik}</math>. The magnitude of the RHS is 1, making <math>r^n=1\Rightarrow r=1</math> (magnitude is always expressed as a positive real number).  This leaves us with <math>e^{ni\theta} = e^{2\pi ik}</math>.
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Now, we can convert everything to [[polar form]] by letting <math>x = re^{i\theta} </math>, and noting that <math>1 = e^{2\pi ik}</math> for <math> k\in \mathbb{Z}</math>, to get <math>r^ne^{ni\theta} = e^{2\pi ik}</math>. The magnitude of the RHS is 1, making <math>r^n=1\Rightarrow r=1</math> (magnitude is always expressed as a positive real number).  This leaves us with <math>e^{ni\theta} = e^{2\pi ik}</math>.
  
 
Taking the [[natural logarithm]] of both sides gives us <math> ni\theta = 2\pi ik</math>.  Solving this gives <math> \theta=\frac{2\pi k}n </math>.  Additionally, we note that for each of <math> k=0,1,2,\ldots,n-1 </math> we get a distinct value for  <math> \theta </math>, but once we get to <math> k > n-1 </math>, we start getting [[coterminal]] angles.
 
Taking the [[natural logarithm]] of both sides gives us <math> ni\theta = 2\pi ik</math>.  Solving this gives <math> \theta=\frac{2\pi k}n </math>.  Additionally, we note that for each of <math> k=0,1,2,\ldots,n-1 </math> we get a distinct value for  <math> \theta </math>, but once we get to <math> k > n-1 </math>, we start getting [[coterminal]] angles.
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Thus, the solutions to <math>x^n=1 </math> are given by <math>x = e^{2\pi k i/n} </math> for <math> k=0,1,2,\ldots,n-1</math>.  We could also express this in trigonometric form as <math>x=\cos\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right) + i\sin\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right) = \mathrm{cis }\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right). </math>
 
Thus, the solutions to <math>x^n=1 </math> are given by <math>x = e^{2\pi k i/n} </math> for <math> k=0,1,2,\ldots,n-1</math>.  We could also express this in trigonometric form as <math>x=\cos\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right) + i\sin\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right) = \mathrm{cis }\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right). </math>
  
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== Geometry of  the roots of unity ==
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== Geometry ==
  
 
All of the roots of unity lie on the [[unit circle]] in the complex plane.  This can be seen by considering the magnitudes of both sides of the equation <math> x^n = 1</math>.  If we let <math> x = re^{i\theta} </math>, we see that <math> r^n = 1</math>, since the magnitude of the RHS of <math> x^n=1 </math> is 1, and for two complex numbers to be equal, both their magnitudes and arguments must be equivalent.
 
All of the roots of unity lie on the [[unit circle]] in the complex plane.  This can be seen by considering the magnitudes of both sides of the equation <math> x^n = 1</math>.  If we let <math> x = re^{i\theta} </math>, we see that <math> r^n = 1</math>, since the magnitude of the RHS of <math> x^n=1 </math> is 1, and for two complex numbers to be equal, both their magnitudes and arguments must be equivalent.
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Additionally, we can see that when the '''n'''th roots of unity are connected in order (more technically, we would call this their [[convex hull]]), they form a regular '''n'''-sided polygon.  This becomes even more evident when we look at the arguments of the roots of unity.
 
Additionally, we can see that when the '''n'''th roots of unity are connected in order (more technically, we would call this their [[convex hull]]), they form a regular '''n'''-sided polygon.  This becomes even more evident when we look at the arguments of the roots of unity.
  
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== Properties of roots of unity ==
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== Properties ==
 
Listed below is a quick summary of important properties of roots of unity.
 
Listed below is a quick summary of important properties of roots of unity.
  
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* Also, don't overlook the most obvious property of all!  For each <math>n</math>th root of unity, <math>\zeta</math>, we have that <math> \zeta^n=1 </math>
 
* Also, don't overlook the most obvious property of all!  For each <math>n</math>th root of unity, <math>\zeta</math>, we have that <math> \zeta^n=1 </math>
  
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== Uses of roots of unity ==
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== Uses ==
 
Roots of unity show up in many surprising places.  Here, we list a few:
 
Roots of unity show up in many surprising places.  Here, we list a few:
  
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* [[Number theory]]
 
* [[Number theory]]
  
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== See also ==
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== See Also ==
 
* [[Complex number]]s
 
* [[Complex number]]s
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[[Category:Definition]]
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[[Category:Complex numbers]]

Latest revision as of 20:36, 11 December 2011

The Roots of unity are a topic closely related to trigonometry. Roots of unity come up when we examine the complex roots of the polynomial $x^n=1$.

Solving the Equation

First, we note that since we have an nth degree polynomial, there will be n complex roots.

Now, we can convert everything to polar form by letting $x = re^{i\theta}$, and noting that $1 = e^{2\pi ik}$ for $k\in \mathbb{Z}$, to get $r^ne^{ni\theta} = e^{2\pi ik}$. The magnitude of the RHS is 1, making $r^n=1\Rightarrow r=1$ (magnitude is always expressed as a positive real number). This leaves us with $e^{ni\theta} = e^{2\pi ik}$.

Taking the natural logarithm of both sides gives us $ni\theta = 2\pi ik$. Solving this gives $\theta=\frac{2\pi k}n$. Additionally, we note that for each of $k=0,1,2,\ldots,n-1$ we get a distinct value for $\theta$, but once we get to $k > n-1$, we start getting coterminal angles.

Thus, the solutions to $x^n=1$ are given by $x = e^{2\pi k i/n}$ for $k=0,1,2,\ldots,n-1$. We could also express this in trigonometric form as $x=\cos\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right) + i\sin\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right) = \mathrm{cis }\left(\frac{2\pi k}n\right).$

Geometry

All of the roots of unity lie on the unit circle in the complex plane. This can be seen by considering the magnitudes of both sides of the equation $x^n = 1$. If we let $x = re^{i\theta}$, we see that $r^n = 1$, since the magnitude of the RHS of $x^n=1$ is 1, and for two complex numbers to be equal, both their magnitudes and arguments must be equivalent.

Additionally, we can see that when the nth roots of unity are connected in order (more technically, we would call this their convex hull), they form a regular n-sided polygon. This becomes even more evident when we look at the arguments of the roots of unity.

Properties

Listed below is a quick summary of important properties of roots of unity.

  • They occupy the vertices of a regular n-gon in the complex plane.
  • For $n>1$, the sum of the nth roots of unity is 0. More generally, if $\zeta$ is a primitive nth root of unity (i.e. $\zeta^m\neq 1$ for $1\le m\le n-1$), then $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \zeta^{km}=\begin{cases} n & {n\mid m}, \\ 0 & \mathrm{otherwise.}\end{cases}$
  • If $\zeta$ is a primitive nth root of unity, then the roots of unity can be expressed as $1, \zeta, \zeta^2,\ldots,\zeta^{n-1}$.
  • Also, don't overlook the most obvious property of all! For each $n$th root of unity, $\zeta$, we have that $\zeta^n=1$

Uses

Roots of unity show up in many surprising places. Here, we list a few:

See Also

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