# Difference between revisions of "2019 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 17"

## Problem

How many nonzero complex numbers $z$ have the property that $0, z,$ and $z^3,$ when represented by points in the complex plane, are the three distinct vertices of an equilateral triangle?

$\textbf{(A) }0\qquad\textbf{(B) }1\qquad\textbf{(C) }2\qquad\textbf{(D) }4\qquad\textbf{(E) }\text{infinitely many}$

## Solution

Convert z and $z^3$ into $$r\text{cis}\theta$$ form, giving $$z=r\text{cis}\theta$$ and $$z^3=r^3\text{cis}(3\theta)$$. Since the distance from 0 to z is r, the distance from 0 to z^3 must also be r, so r=1. Now we must find $$\text{cis}(2\theta)=60$$. From 0 < theta < pi/2, we have $$\theta=\frac{\pi}{2}$$ and from pi/2 < theta < pi, we see a monotonic decrease of $$\text{cis}(2\theta)$$, from 180 to 0. Hence, there are 2 values that work for 0 < theta < pi. But since the interval pi < theta < 2pi is identical, because 3theta=theta at pi, we have 4 solutions. There are not infinitely many solutions since the same four solutions are duplicated. $\boxed{D}$

-FlatSquare

Someone pls help with LaTeX formatting, thanks