# Math Help - Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

1. ## Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

Im stuck on a textbook question that has no previous examples. Express $\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}-i}{2}\right)^{101}$ in cartesian form.

OK. So i know De moivre's Theorem but not sure if i can use it here (and thats going away from Cartesian form too)

But could I say that here the form r(cos x + isin x) can be deduced because $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ is $cos\frac{\pi}{6}$ and then deduce sin.....

But not sure where to go from here!...

2. ## Re: Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

Originally Posted by FelixHelix
Im stuck on a textbook question that has no previous examples. Express $\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}-i}{2}\right)^{101}$ in cartesian form.

OK. So i know De moivre's Theorem but not sure if i can use it here (and thats going away from Cartesian form too)

But could I say that here the form r(cos x + isin x) can be deduced because $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ is $cos\frac{\pi}{6}$ and then deduce sin.....

But not sure where to go from here!...
$z = \left(\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}-\frac{1}{2}i\right)^{101}=\left(\cos \frac{11 \pi}{6}+i\sin\frac{11 \pi}{6}\right)^{101}$

$z= \cos \frac{1111 \pi}{6}+i\sin\frac{1111 \pi}{6} = \cos \frac{7 \pi}{6}+i\sin\frac{7 \pi}{6}$

$z = -\frac{\sqrt 3}{2}-\frac{1}{2}i$

3. ## Re: Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

Originally Posted by FelixHelix
Im stuck on a textbook question that has no previous examples. Express $\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}-i}{2}\right)^{101}$ in cartesian form....
$\frac{\sqrt{3}-i}{2}=2\exp\left(\frac{-\pi}{6}\right)$
Now apply De moivre's Theorem.

4. ## Re: Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

I'm confused by the workings here. Could you explain how you get the original argument here?

5. ## Re: Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

HI Plato, Im confused, how come your workings are different to Princeps? and how do you get r = 2 in your polar form here?

6. ## Re: Expressing a complex number in cartesian form

Originally Posted by FelixHelix
HI Plato, Im confused, how come your workings are different to Princeps? and how do you get r = 2 in your polar form here?
They are not different; they are equivalent. You should know that.
I just prefer the principal argument, $-\pi<\theta\le\pi$.