Further Mathematics Questions On Complex Numbers
Type 1 : Application of the de Moivre’s Theorem -- on roots of
equation
1. By considering the roots of z6 = 1, or otherwise, show that the five complex numbers that
6
2w − i 1 nπ
satisfy the equation = 64 are (i − cot ) , where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
w 4 6
2. By considering the seventh roots of unity prove that
π 3π 5π 1
cos + cos + cos = .
7 7 7 2
3. The complex number ω , where ω ≠ 1, is a root of the equation z5 – 1 = 0
with the smallest positive argument .
(i) Find ω in the exponential form and write the other four roots of z5 – 1 = 0 in
terms of ω .
(ii) Show that ω + ω 2 + ω 3 + w4 = −1.
(iii) Show that ( ω − ω 2 − ω 3 + ω 4)2 = 5.
cot θ + i
4. Express in the form reiφ . Hence show that one of the roots of the equation
cot θ − i
iπ
3 +i
z4 = is e 12 and find three more roots in the similar form.
3 −i
i 7π i13π i19π
[Ans : e 12 , e 12 , e 12 ]
5. Show that the roots of the equation zn − (z − i)n = 0, z ≠ i , where n is a positive integer
1 kπ
and n > 2, are (cot + i ) where k = 1, 2, 3, …, n − 1.
2 n
n
z +1
6. Show that if n is a positive integer and z is a complex number such that = 1 , then
z −1
kπ
z = −i cot where k is one of the integers 1, 2, …, n -1.
n
Explain why k = 0 is discarded.
n
1+ z
Hence or otherwise, find the solutions of the equation = 1.
1− z
kπ
[Ans : i tan ]
n
Compiled/set by Mr Ho F H PPaaggee 11 ooff 33 08/10/00
Type 2 : Application of the de Moivre’s Theorem in trigonometry
1. Using de Moivre’s Theorem , or otherwise, prove that
7 tan θ − 35 tan3 θ + 21 tan5 θ − tan7 θ
tan 7θ = .
1 − 21 tan2 θ + 35 tan4 θ − 7 tan6 θ
π
Prove that tan is a root of the equation 7t6 – 35t4 + 21t2 – 1 = 0, and find the other
14
nπ
roots in the form tan .
14
5 cot 4 θ − 10 cot 2 θ + 1
2. Using de Moivre’s theorem , show that tan 5θ = .
cot 5 θ − 10 cot 3 θ + 5 cot θ
2 cos nθ
3. Use de Moivre’s theorem to show that (1 + i tanθ)n (1 – i tan θ)n = .
cos n θ
π
Verify that i tan is a root of the equation (1 + z)4 +(1 – z)4 = 0 and find the other roots,
8
expressing your answers in conjugate pairs.
π 3π
Show that tan2 = 3 − 2 2 . Write down the value of tan2 in similar form.
8 8
[Ans : 3 + 2 2 ]
4. Use de Moivre’s theorem to show that if z = eiθ , for every integer n,
1
zn − = 2i sin nθ.
zn
1
Hence show that sin7 θ = [sin 7θ - 7 sin 5θ + 21 sin 3θ - 35 sinθ ]
64
1
Deduce that sin5 θ sin 2θ = [cos 7θ - 5 cos 5θ + 9 cos 3θ - 5 cosθ ]
32
5. Given that z = cos θ + j sinθ , use de Moivre’s theorem to show that
1
zn + = 2cos nθ , where n is a positive integer.
zn
1 3 15 5
Show that cos 6 θ = cos 6θ + cos 4θ + cos 2θ + .
32 16 32 16
Hence deduce that − 10 ≤ cos 6θ + 6 cos 4θ + 15 cos 2θ ≤ 22 .
Compiled/set by Mr Ho F H PPaaggee 22 ooff 33 08/10/00
Type 3 : Summing series using the G.P. formula and the de Moivre's
Theorem
1. Using de Moivre’s theorem to prove that
sin 20θ cos18θ
sin4θ − sin 8θ + sin 12θ − … + sin 36θ = , provided cos2θ ≠ 0.
cos 2θ
7
2. By considering ∑ z 2n −1 , where z = e iθ , find the general solution of the equation
n =1
cos θ + cos 3θ + cos5θ + … + cos 13θ = 0.
nπ
[Ans : θ = , n is not divisible by 14]
14
3. Show by using de Moivre's theorem that provided sin2θ ≠ 0,
10
sin 40θ
∑ cos(4k − 2)θ = 2 sin 2θ .
k =1
10
sin 40θ
Deduce that provided sin2θ ≠ 0, ∑ sin 2 (2k − 1)θ = 5 −
4 sin 2θ
.
k =1
4. Show that the sum of the first n terms of the series
α α α α
cos 2 ( ) + cos 2 ( − β ) + cos 2 ( − 2 β ) + ... + cos 2 ( − (n − 1) β ) is
2 2 2 2
1
{n + cos[α – (n – 1)β] sin nβ cosec β}.
2
n
5. By considering ∑ z 2 r +1 , where z = eiθ , show that
r =0
2π 6π 10π 38π 42π 1 π
sin + sin + sin + ... + sin + sin = tan .
23 23 23 23 23 2 23
Compiled/set by Mr Ho F H PPaaggee 33 ooff 33 08/10/00
Type 4 : Summing series involving Binomial expansion
n
Note that (1 + x)n = 1 + ∑ n xr
r
r =1
1. Show that 1 + ei2θ = 2cosθ(cosθ + i sinθ).
n
Hence use de Moivre’s Theorem to show that ∑ n sin 2rθ = 2n cosn θ sin nθ
r
r =1
By differentiating the above, show that
n
n − 1
∑ cos 2rθ = 2n − 1 cosn − 1 θ cos(n+1)θ
r − 1
r =1
Please try before looking at the solution (selected questions only)
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Compiled/set by Mr Ho F H PPaaggee 44 ooff 33 08/10/00
