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Exercise 2.4 · Q6

Q.Find the least value of the positive integer nn for which (3+i)n(\sqrt3+i)^n is

(i) real
(ii) purely imaginary.
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We first put 3+i\sqrt3+i into polar form, apply de Moivre's theorem to get (3+i)n(\sqrt3+i)^n in terms of cos⁡\cos and sin⁡\sin of nπ6\dfrac{n\pi}6, and then find the smallest nn that kills the imaginary or the real part respectively.

Step 1. Find the modulus and argument of 3+i\sqrt3+i. Here x=3, y=1x=\sqrt3,\ y=1, so

r=(3)2+12=3+1=2.r=\sqrt{(\sqrt3)^2+1^2}=\sqrt{3+1}=2.

Since x>0,y>0x>0,y>0 (Quadrant I), θ=tan⁡−113=π6\theta=\tan^{-1}\dfrac1{\sqrt3}=\dfrac\pi6.

Step 2. Write the polar form. 3+i=2(cos⁡π6+isin⁡π6)\sqrt3+i=2\left(\cos\dfrac\pi6+i\sin\dfrac\pi6\right).

Step 3. Apply de Moivre's theorem.

(3+i)n=2n(cos⁡nπ6+isin⁡nπ6).(\sqrt3+i)^n=2^n\left(\cos\dfrac{n\pi}6+i\sin\dfrac{n\pi}6\right).

Step 4. Part (i): condition for real. (3+i)n(\sqrt3+i)^n is real exactly when sin⁡nπ6=0\sin\dfrac{n\pi}6=0, i.e. nπ6=kπ\dfrac{n\pi}6=k\pi for some integer kk, i.e. n=6kn=6k. The least positive such nn is n=6n=6.

Step 5. Part (i): check. At n=6n=6: (3+i)6=26(cos⁡π+isin⁡π)=64(−1+0i)=−64(\sqrt3+i)^6=2^6(\cos\pi+i\sin\pi)=64(-1+0i)=-64, real. For n=1,…,5n=1,\dots,5, nπ6\dfrac{n\pi}6 is not a multiple of π\pi, so none of them are real. …

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