find the value of #10

Algebra Level 3


The answer is -1.

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2 solutions

The two expressions within the brackets are the two complex cube roots of unity, ω , ω 2 \omega, \omega^2 with 1 + ω + ω 2 = 0 , ω 3 = 1 1+\omega+\omega^2=0,\omega^3=1

The given expression equals ω 2 + ω = 1 \omega^2+\omega=\boxed {-1} .

Ron Gallagher
Jun 26, 2020

Let z1 and z2 be the numbers in the first and second brackets respectively. Using polar form, z1 = exp(2 Pi (i)/3) and z2 = exp(4 Pi (i)/3)). Raising each to the 2021st power we find (z1)^2021 = exp(4042 Pi (i)/3) = exp(4 Pi (i)/3) = -1/2 - i sqrt(3) / 2 (the penultimate equality follows from the periodicity of the sine and cosine). Similarly, (z2)^2021 = -1/2 + i sqrt(3)/2, so that the sum of the two numbers is -1/2 - 1/2 = -1.

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