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AlexChandler
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Homework Statement
Show that if p is prime and [tex] e^{2 \pi i/p} [/tex] is constructable
then [tex] p=2^k+1 [/tex] for a positive integer k
Homework Equations
[tex] e^{i \theta} = Cos \theta + iSin \theta [/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
By definition, a complex number a+bi is constructible if a and b are constructible. Thus we know that
[tex] Cos(2 \pi /p) , Sin(2 \pi /p) [/tex] are constructible
I have tried finding a polynomial such that these are roots but I am having trouble here. We have a theorem that if a real number is a root of a polynomial of some degree that is not a power of 2, then the number is not constructible. I am trying to use this to show that p must be one more than a power of 2, but I'm not sure how to construct these polynomials. Any ideas? Thanks
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