Complex Numbers III: Solving z^5-(z-i)^5=0

In summary, the first part of the question asked to find the roots of \(w^5=1\) which have been found to be \(e^{2k\pi\;i}\). The roots of the equation \(z^5-(z-i)^5=0\) are \(\frac{1}{2}(cot{\frac({k\pi}{5})+i), where k=-2, -1, 0, 1, 2.\) However, the equation is a quartic and has exactly 4 complex roots, but 5 distinct roots are listed.
  • #1
Punch
44
0
The first part of the question asked to find the roots of w^5=1 which I have found to be e^{2k\pi)i}

Hence show that the roots of the equation z^5-(z-i)^5=0, z not equal i, are \frac{1}{2}(cot{\frac({k\pi}{5})+i), where k=-2, -1, 0, 1, 2.
 
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  • #2
Punch said:
The first part of the question asked to find the roots of \(w^5=1\) which I have found to be \( e^{2k\pi\;i}\)

Those are not the 5-th roots of unity, whatever integer values k takes, they are all the same and =1

You find the 5-th roots of unity by putting:

\[w^5=1=e^{2\pi k\;i},\ k=0,\pm 1, ...\]

so:

\[ w=e^{ \frac{2 \pi k \; i}{5} },\ k= 0, \pm 1, ...\]

and any set of 5 consecutive values of k will give the 5 distinct roots of unity, so:\(w=e^{\frac{2\pi k\;i}{5}},\ k=-2,-1, 0,1,2 \)



Hence show that the roots of the equation \( z^5-(z-i)^5=0, z \) not equal \(i\), are \(\frac{1}{2} \left(cot\left(\frac{k\pi}{5}\right)+i\right)\), where \( k=-2, -1, 0, 1, 2.\)

Since either one of the purported roots is infinite oR with a different guess at where the brackets are supposed to be \( z^5-(z-i)^5=0, \) is a quartic and so has exactly 4 complex roots, but you list 5 distinct roots.
 
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  • #3
CaptainBlack said:
Those are not the 5-th roots of unity, whatever integer values k takes, they are all the same and =1

You find the 5-th roots of unity by putting:

\[w^5=1=e^{2\pi k\;i},\ k=0,\pm 1, ...\]

so:

\[ w=e^{ \frac{2 \pi k \; i}{5} },\ k= 0, \pm 1, ...\]

and any set of 5 consecutive values of k will give the 5 distinct roots of unity, so:\(w=e^{\frac{2\pi k\;i}{5}},\ k=-2,-1, 0,1,2 \)


Since either one of the purported roots is infinite oR with a different guess at where the brackets are supposed to be \( z^5-(z-i)^5=0, \) is a quartic and so has exactly 4 complex roots, but you list 5 distinct roots.

I understood your answer to the first quote. However, I didn't understand your answer to the second quote. I have checked the question and indeed, 5 distinct roots are listed.
 
  • #4
$(z- i)^5= z^5- 5iz^4+ 10i^2z^3- 10i^3z^2+ 5i^4z- i^5= z^5- 5iz^4- 10z^3+ 10iz^2+ 5z- 1$
so that $z^5- (z- i)^5= z^5- (z^5- 5iz^4+ 10i^2z^3- 10i^3z^2+ 5i^4z- i^5= z^5- 5iz^4- 10z^3+ 10iz^2+ 5z- 1)= 5iz^4+ 10z^3- 10iz^20- 5z+ 1= 0$
That's a fourth degree equation and has 4 roots.
 
  • #5


To solve this equation, we can use the fact that the roots of w^5=1 are given by w=e^{2k\pi i}, where k=0,1,2,3,4. We can then substitute this into the original equation to get:

z^5-(z-i)^5=0
(z-e^{2k\pi i})^5-(z-i-e^{2k\pi i})^5=0
(z^5-5ze^{2k\pi i}^4+10z^3e^{2k\pi i}^3-10z^2e^{2k\pi i}^2+5ze^{2k\pi i}-e^{2k\pi i})-(z^5-5z^4e^{2k\pi i}+10z^3e^{4k\pi i}-10z^2e^{6k\pi i}+5ze^{8k\pi i}-e^{10k\pi i})=0

Simplifying this, we get:

-5ze^{2k\pi i}^4+10z^3e^{2k\pi i}^3-10z^2e^{2k\pi i}^2+5ze^{2k\pi i}=0

We can then factor out a z and e^{2k\pi i} from this equation to get:

z(e^{2k\pi i}-1)(-5e^{2k\pi i}+10z^2+10z+5)=0

From this, we can see that the solutions for z are given by:

z=0 or e^{2k\pi i}-1=0 or -5e^{2k\pi i}+10z^2+10z+5=0

The first solution, z=0, is not valid since it is equal to i, which is not allowed in the original equation. To find the remaining solutions, we can solve the quadratic equation -5e^{2k\pi i}+10z^2+10z+5=0, which gives us:

z=\frac{-5\pm\sqrt{5^2-4(10)(5)}}{2(10)}=\frac{-5\pm i\sqrt{5}}{20}

S
 

FAQ: Complex Numbers III: Solving z^5-(z-i)^5=0

What are complex numbers?

Complex numbers are numbers that contain both a real and an imaginary component. They are represented in the form a + bi, where a is the real part and bi is the imaginary part with i being the imaginary unit.

How do you solve equations involving complex numbers?

To solve an equation involving complex numbers, you can use algebraic manipulation and the properties of complex numbers, such as the distributive property and the fact that i^2 = -1. You can also use the quadratic formula or the cubic formula for more complex equations.

What is the significance of z^5-(z-i)^5=0?

This equation represents a polynomial with degree 5, meaning it has 5 solutions. It is also known as a quintic equation, which is one of the unsolvable equations by radicals. Therefore, it requires more advanced techniques, such as using complex numbers, to find the solutions.

How can you solve z^5-(z-i)^5=0?

To solve this equation, you can use the substitution method to turn it into a quadratic equation. You can also use the roots of unity, which are the solutions to z^n=1, to find the solutions.

Can you provide an example of solving z^5-(z-i)^5=0?

Yes, for example, if we substitute y = z-i, the equation becomes y^5-y^5=0, which simplifies to 0=0. This means that any complex number z can be a solution to the equation. Using the roots of unity, the solutions are z = i, -i, 1, -1, and 0.

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