Finding Complex Roots of Equation z^3+8=0

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the complex roots of the equation z^3+8=0 in both polar and rectangular form. The speaker initially struggles with understanding the problem, but their roommate suggests using roots of unity. The speaker then considers their solution and discusses the importance of finding the cube roots of -1 instead of 1.
  • #1
Valhalla
69
0
I just bombed a quiz because it was 2 questions and this was one of them:

Find all three complex roots of the following equation (give answers in polar and rectangular form)

[tex]z^3+8=0[/tex]

Looks easy enough,

[tex] z=2e^{-i\frac{\theta}{3}} [/tex]

This is where I think I completely realized I wasn't sure what I was doing. My roommate suggested I look for the roots of unity which I know that:

[tex]r^n(cos(n\theta)+isin(n\theta))=1+i*0[/tex]

so if I want to consider mine it should be:

[tex]8^{1/3}(cos(\frac{\theta}{3})+isin(\frac{\theta}{3})=-8 [/tex]

so then

[tex]\theta=\frac{k2\pi}{3}[/tex]

is this the right track?
 
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  • #2
I'm not sure what you're trying to do (eg, your second to last latex line doesn't look right). Just keep in mind that there will be a unique solution for r, and then you're left with finding the cube roots of -1 (not 1). If it helps, these are the sixth roots of 1 that aren't also cube roots of 1.
 

FAQ: Finding Complex Roots of Equation z^3+8=0

What is the equation for finding complex roots?

The equation for finding complex roots is z^3+8=0. This is a third degree polynomial equation, also known as a cubic equation.

What does the term "complex roots" mean?

Complex roots are solutions to an equation that involve the imaginary number "i", which is the square root of -1. These roots are not real numbers and are often denoted as a+bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit.

How many complex roots does the equation z^3+8=0 have?

This equation has 3 complex roots, since it is a third degree polynomial. This is because a polynomial of degree n has at most n complex roots.

What is the process for finding complex roots of this equation?

The process for finding complex roots of this equation involves using the cubic formula, which is a general formula for solving third degree polynomials. It is a complex formula that involves finding the roots of a quadratic equation and then plugging those values into another formula. Alternatively, you can also use graphing techniques or numerical methods to approximate the roots.

Can complex roots be found using traditional algebraic methods?

Yes, complex roots can be found using traditional algebraic methods, such as factoring or the quadratic formula. However, these methods may not always be practical or efficient for higher degree polynomials, which is when the cubic formula or other numerical methods are often used.

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