Some problem

Algebra Level 3

What is the sum of the 2014133742 2014133742 nd roots of unity?


The answer is 0.

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4 solutions

Casper Putz
Jul 19, 2014

Suppose z z is a solution to the equation z 2014133742 = 1 z^{2014133742} = 1 . Since 2014133742 2014133742 is even, z -z also is a solution. Hence the sum of all solutions is 0 0 .

what about the complex solutions

Jason Hughes - 6 years, 3 months ago

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This works when z z is complex. If ( z 2 ) 1007066871 = 1 (z^2)^{1007066871} = 1 then also ( ( z ) 2 ) 1007066871 = 1 ((-z)^2)^{1007066871} = 1 because ( z ) 2 = z 2 (-z)^2 = z^2 for any z C z\in\mathbb C .

Casper Putz - 5 years, 11 months ago
Finn Hulse
Jun 25, 2014

EDITED:

We have:

x 2014133742 1 = 0 x^{2014133742}-1=0

By Vieta's, the sum of the roots is the coefficient of x x . Thus the sum of the roots is 0 \boxed{0} .

Common sense is pretty hard to find :P

Tanya Gupta - 6 years, 11 months ago

For any integer n > 1, the sum of the roots of x^n - 1 = 0 is the negative of the coefficient of x^(n-1), which will always be 0 for n > 1.

David Lee
Jun 22, 2014

The large number was intended to intimidate solvers. Don't get intimidated! The sum of the n th n^{\text{th}} roots is 0.

I don't feel like posting that proof right now

David Lee - 6 years, 11 months ago

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