- #1
fluidistic
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Homework Statement
I'm trying to follow some solution to an exercise in physics and apparently [itex]e^{-im \frac{3\pi}{2}}=i^m[/itex] where [itex]m \in \mathbb{Z}[/itex].
I don't realize why this is true.
Homework Equations
Euler's formula.
The Attempt at a Solution
I applied Euler's formula but this is still a mistery.
[itex]i^m=\cos \left ( \frac{3\pi m}{2} \right ) -i \sin \left ( \frac{3\pi m }{2} \right )[/itex].
I've checked the formula for m=1 and 2, it works. I must be missing the obvious, but I'm very tired physically and mentally.
Thanks for any help.
Edit: I found it. I drew a mental sketch of [itex]e^{-i \frac{3\pi }{2}}[/itex], it's "i" in the complex plane. Then just elevate this to the power m and the job is done.