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Exercise 2.9 · Q1

Q.in+in+1+in+2+in+3i^n+i^{n+1}+i^{n+2}+i^{n+3} is

(1) 00
(2) 11
(3) −1-1
(4) ii
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✓ Free question

Factor out ini^n and use 1+i+i2+i3=01+i+i^2+i^3=0, which holds because i,i2,i3,i4i,i^2,i^3,i^4 are exactly one full period of the powers of ii.

Step 1. Factor out the common power ini^n.

in+in+1+in+2+in+3=in(1+i+i2+i3).i^n+i^{n+1}+i^{n+2}+i^{n+3}=i^n\left(1+i+i^2+i^3\right).

Step 2. Evaluate the bracket using i2=−1, i3=−ii^2=-1,\ i^3=-i.

1+i+i2+i3=1+i+(−1)+(−i)=(1−1)+(i−i)=0.1+i+i^2+i^3=1+i+(-1)+(-i)=(1-1)+(i-i)=0.

Step 3. Conclude.

in+in+1+in+2+in+3=in(0)=0,i^n+i^{n+1}+i^{n+2}+i^{n+3}=i^n(0)=0,

and this holds for EVERY integer nn (verified directly for n=1,2,3,4,5,17n=1,2,3,4,5,17: each sum is 00), since the four powers always land on one complete cycle of the period-4 pattern i,−1,−i,1i,-1,-i,1, regardless of where the cycle starts.

✓Final answer

Option (1): 00.

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