2012 AIME I Problems/Problem 6

Problem 6

The complex numbers $z$ and $w$ satisfy $z^{13} = w,$ $w^{11} = z,$ and the imaginary part of $z$ is $\sin{\frac{m\pi}{n}}$ , for relatively prime positive integers $m$ and $n$ with $m<n.$ Find $n.$

Solution

Substituting the first equation into the second, we find that $(z^{13})^{11} = z$ and thus $z^{143} = z.$ We know that $z \neq 0,$ because we are given the imaginary part of $z,$ so we can divide by $z$ to get $z^{142} = 1.$ So, $z$ must be a $142$ nd root of unity, and thus the imaginary part of $z$ will be of the form $\sin{\frac{2k\pi}{142}} = \sin{\frac{k\pi}{71}},$ where $k \in \{1, 2, \ldots, 70\}.$ Note that $71$ is prime and $k<71$ by the conditions of the problem, so the denominator in the argument of this value will always be $71.$ Thus, $n = \boxed{071}.$

2012 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 5	Followed by Problem 7
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

Page

Toolbox

Search

2012 AIME I Problems/Problem 6

Problem 6

Solution

See also