Thread: complex number help

could somone help me do this math problem, i've got all the information i think i need, but i cannot get the right answer. its for a math make-up, would really appriciate your help. thanks.

Info:
A=rcosΘ
B=rsinΘ
Z=A+Bi = (rcosΘ+isinΘ)
tanΘ=B/A
r=sqrt((A^2)+(B^2))

Problem: Find all the square roots of the complex number Z= -1/2 - (sqrt3)/2. You can use polar coordinates but convert them back to retangular form for the answer.

Hello,zabije cie!

Are you allowed to use DeMoivre's Theorem?

Find the square roots of: .Z .= .-½ - (½√3)i

The polar form is: .Z .= .cos(4π/3) + i·sin(4π/3)

Then: .Z^½ .= .±[cos(2π/3) + i·sin(2π/3)] .= .±[-½ + (½√3)i]

umm yes we are, could you show work how u did it? btw a square root would have two answers right?

Hello again, zabije cie!

DeMoivre's Theorem says: .(cosθ + i·sinθ)^n .= .cos(nθ) + i·sin(nθ)

In baby-talk: the exponent "jumps in and joins the angle".


We have: θ = 4π/3 and n = ½

[cos(4π/3) + i·sin(4π/3)]^½ .= .cos(½·4π/3) + i·sin(½·4π/3) .= .cos(2π/3) + i·sin(2π/3)


And I do have two square roots . . . did you see the ± ?

whyd you do it to the power of 1/2???? i thought youd do power 1 and power 2?