Difference between revisions of "2023 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 14"

(Solution 3 (Rectangular Form))
(Solution 3 (Rectangular Form))
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-Benedict T (countmath 1)
 
-Benedict T (countmath 1)
  
==Solution 3 (Rectangular Form)==
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==Solution 3 (Rectangular Form, similar to Solution 1)==
  
 
Let <math>z = a+bi</math>.
 
Let <math>z = a+bi</math>.
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Then, our equation becomes:  
 
Then, our equation becomes:  
 
<math>(a+bi)^5=a-bi</math>
 
<math>(a+bi)^5=a-bi</math>
 +
 +
Note that since every single term in the expansion contains either an <math>a</math> or <math>b</math>, simply setting <math>a=0</math> and <math>b=0</math> yields a solution.
 +
 +
Now, considering the other case that either <math>a</math> or <math>b</math> does not equal <math>0</math>:
 +
 +
Multiplying both sides by <math>a+bi</math> (or <math>z</math>), we get:
 +
<math>(a+bi)^6=a^2+b^2</math> (since <math>i^2=-1</math>).
 +
 +
Substituting <math>z</math> back into the left hand side, we get:
 +
<math>z^6=a^2+b^2</math>
 +
 +
Note that this will have 6 distinct, non-zero solutions since in this case, we consider that either <math>a</math> or <math>b</math> is not <math>0</math>.
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 +
Adding up the solutions, we get <math>1+6=E)7.</math>
  
 
==Video Solution by OmegaLearn==
 
==Video Solution by OmegaLearn==

Revision as of 22:14, 3 April 2024

Problem

How many complex numbers satisfy the equation $z^5=\overline{z}$, where $\overline{z}$ is the conjugate of the complex number $z$?

$\textbf{(A)} ~2\qquad\textbf{(B)} ~3\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~5\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~6\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~7$

Solution 1

When $z^5=\overline{z}$, there are two conditions: either $z=0$ or $z\neq 0$. When $z\neq 0$, since $|z^5|=|\overline{z}|$, $|z|=1$. $z^5\cdot z=z^6=\overline{z}\cdot z=|z|^2=1$. Consider the $r(\cos \theta +i\sin \theta)$ form, when $z^6=1$, there are 6 different solutions for $z$. Therefore, the number of complex numbers satisfying $z^5=\bar{z}$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)} 7}$.

~plasta

Solution 2

Let $z = re^{i\theta}.$ We now have $\overline{z} = re^{-i\theta},$ and want to solve

\[r^5e^{5i\theta} = re^{-i\theta}.\]

From this, we have $r = 0$ as a solution, which gives $z = 0$. If $r\neq 0$, then we divide by it, yielding

\[r^4e^{5i\theta} = e^{-i\theta}.\]

Dividing both sides by $e^{-i\theta}$ yields $r^4e^{6i\theta} = 1$. Taking the magnitude of both sides tells us that $r^4 = 1$, so $r^2 = \pm 1$. However, if $r^2 = -1$, then $r = \pm i$, but $r$ must be real. Therefore, $r^2 = 1$.

Multiplying both sides by $r^2$,

\[r^6\cdot e^{6i\theta} = z^6 = 1.\]

Each of the $6$th roots of unity is a solution to this, so there are $6 + 1 = \boxed{\textbf{(D)}\ 7}$ solutions.

-Benedict T (countmath 1)

Solution 3 (Rectangular Form, similar to Solution 1)

Let $z = a+bi$.

Then, our equation becomes: $(a+bi)^5=a-bi$

Note that since every single term in the expansion contains either an $a$ or $b$, simply setting $a=0$ and $b=0$ yields a solution.

Now, considering the other case that either $a$ or $b$ does not equal $0$:

Multiplying both sides by $a+bi$ (or $z$), we get: $(a+bi)^6=a^2+b^2$ (since $i^2=-1$).

Substituting $z$ back into the left hand side, we get: $z^6=a^2+b^2$

Note that this will have 6 distinct, non-zero solutions since in this case, we consider that either $a$ or $b$ is not $0$.

Adding up the solutions, we get $1+6=E)7.$

Video Solution by OmegaLearn

https://youtu.be/rbdIrmOyczk

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/m627Mjp3PkM

~Steven Chen (Professor Chen Education Palace, www.professorchenedu.com)

See also

2023 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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