Difference between revisions of "2012 AIME I Problems/Problem 6"

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Let <math>z</math> and <math>w</math> be complex numbers such that <math>z^{13} = w</math> and <math>w^{11} = z</math>. If the imaginary part of <math>z</math> can be written as <math> \sin {\frac{m\pi}{n}}</math>, where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are relatively prime positive integers, find <math>n</math>.
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==Problem ==
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The complex numbers <math>z</math> and <math>w</math> satisfy <math>z^{13} = w,</math> <math>w^{11} = z,</math> and the imaginary part of <math>z</math> is <math>\sin{\frac{m\pi}{n}}</math>, for relatively prime positive integers <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> with <math>m<n.</math> Find <math>n.</math>
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==Solution==
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Substituting the first equation into the second, we find that <math>(z^{13})^{11} = z</math> and thus <math>z^{143} = z.</math> We know that <math>z \neq 0,</math> because we are given the imaginary part of <math>z,</math> so we can divide by <math>z</math> to get <math>z^{142} = 1.</math> So, <math>z</math> must be a <math>142</math>nd root of unity, and thus, by De Moivre's theorem, the imaginary part of <math>z</math> will be of the form <math>\sin{\frac{2k\pi}{142}} = \sin{\frac{k\pi}{71}},</math> where <math>k \in \{1, 2, \ldots, 70\}.</math> Note that <math>71</math> is prime and <math>k<71</math> by the conditions of the problem, so the denominator in the argument of this value will always be <math>71.</math> Thus, <math>n = \boxed{071}.</math>
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==Video Solutions==
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQmmkfZvPgU&t=30s
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMka35X-3WI&list=PLyhPcpM8aMvIo_foUDwmXnQClMHngjGto&index=6 (Solution by Richard Rusczyk) - AMBRIGGS
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== See also ==
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{{AIME box|year=2012|n=I|num-b=5|num-a=7}}
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{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 17:15, 30 July 2022

Problem

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, by De Moivre's theorem, 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, $n = \boxed{071}.$

Video Solutions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQmmkfZvPgU&t=30s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMka35X-3WI&list=PLyhPcpM8aMvIo_foUDwmXnQClMHngjGto&index=6 (Solution by Richard Rusczyk) - AMBRIGGS

See also

2012 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
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

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