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Using De Moivre's theorem, the complex roots of $z^3=1$ are:
A$1,\;-\frac12+i\frac{\sqrt3}{3},\;-\frac12-i\frac{\sqrt3}{3}$
B$1,\;\frac12+i\frac{\sqrt3}{2},\;\frac12-i\frac{\sqrt3}{2}$
C$1,\;-\frac12+i\frac{\sqrt3}{2},\;-\frac12-i\frac{\sqrt3}{2}$
D$1,\;-\frac13+i\frac{\sqrt3}{2},\;-\frac13-i\frac{\sqrt3}{2}$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. $1,\;-\frac12+i\frac{\sqrt3}{3},\;-\frac12-i\frac{\sqrt3}{3}$
1. Write $1$ in polar form: $1=\cos 2\pi k+i\sin 2\pi k$ for integer $k$.
2. De Moivre's theorem gives $z_k=\cos\dfrac{2\pi k}{3}+i\sin\dfrac{2\pi k}{3}$.
3. For $k=0$: $z=1$. For $k=1$: $\cos 120^{\circ}+i\sin 120^{\circ}=-\dfrac12+i\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}$.
4. For $k=2$: $\cos 240^{\circ}+i\sin 240^{\circ}=-\dfrac12-i\dfrac{\sqrt3}{2}$.
5. Solving $z^3=1$ as an ordinary cubic returns only the real root $1$ and misses the other two.
_Source: NECTA ACSEE 2023 Advanced Mathematics 142/2, Question 4: Complex Numbers_
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