What is the numerical value of this tricky equation?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter anemone
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    2016
In summary, the order of operations, also known as PEMDAS, is a convention used to solve mathematical equations by following the sequence of Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), and Addition and Subtraction (from left to right). Variables are symbols used to represent unknown values in an equation, and it is important to understand their meaning in order to solve for a numerical value. Different methods and algorithms, such as substitution, elimination, and graphing, can be used to solve equations depending on their complexity. To check if a numerical value is correct, it can be plugged back into the original equation or verified with a calculator or online tool. It is important to follow the order of operations and properly manipulate
  • #1
anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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If $x^2+x+1=0$, compute the numerical value of

\(\displaystyle \left(x+\frac{1}{x}\right)^2+\left(x^2+\frac{1}{x^2}\right)^2+\left(x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}\right)^2+\cdots+\left(x^{29}+\frac{1}{x^{29}}\right)^2\).

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  • #2
Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution::)

1. greg1313
2. kaliprasad
3. johng

Solution from jonng:
Since $x^2+x+1=0$, $x^3=1\text{ but }x\neq1$. So ${1\over x}=x^2$. Now consider a term $(x^k+(x^{-1})^k)^2=(x^k+x^{2k})^2$. Now if $k\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, this term is 4; otherwise the term is $1$ since $x^k\neq 1$ is a cube root of 1 and hence satisfies $x^{2k}+x^k+1=0$. So there are 9 terms of the 29 that have value 4 and the remaining 20 have value 1. Thus the sum of the 29 terms is 56.
 
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