Difference between revisions of "Imaginary unit/Introductory"

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==Problem==
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#Find the sum of <math>i^1+i^2+\ldots+i^{2006}</math>.
Find the sum of <math>i^1+i^2+\ldots+i^{2006}</math>
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#Find the product of <math>i^1 \times i^2 \times \cdots \times i^{2006}</math>.
== Solution ==
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Let's begin by computing powers of <math>i</math>.
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__TOC__
#<math>i^1=\sqrt{-1}</math>
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#<math>i^2=\sqrt{-1}\cdot\sqrt{-1}=-1</math>
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== Solution 1 ==
#<math>i^3=-1\cdot i=-i</math>
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Since <math>i</math> repeats in a n exponential series at every fifth turn, the sequence <math>i, -1, -i, 1</math> repeats. Note that this sums to <math>0</math>. That means that all sequences <math>i^1+i^2+\ldots+i^{4k}</math> have a sum of zero (k is a natural number). Since <math>2006=4\cdot501+2</math>, the original series sums to the first two terms of the powers of i, which equals <math>-1+i</math>.
#<math>i^4=-i\cdot i=-i^2=-(-1)=1</math>
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#<math>i^5=1\cdot i=i</math>
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== Solution 2 ==
We can now stop because we have come back to our original term. This means that the sequence i, -1, -i, 1 repeats. Note that this sums to 0. That means that all sequences <math>i^1+i^2+\ldots+i^{4k}</math> have a sum of zero (k is a natural number). Since <math>2006=4\cdot501+2</math>, the original series sums to the first two terms of the powers of i, which equals <math>-1+i</math>.
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<math>i \cdot -1 \cdot -i \cdot 1 = -1</math>, so the product is equal to <math>(-1)^{501} \times i^{2005} \times i^{2006} = -1 \times i \times -1 = i</math>.

Latest revision as of 12:15, 27 October 2007

  1. Find the sum of $i^1+i^2+\ldots+i^{2006}$.
  2. Find the product of $i^1 \times i^2 \times \cdots \times i^{2006}$.

Solution 1

Since $i$ repeats in a n exponential series at every fifth turn, the sequence $i, -1, -i, 1$ repeats. Note that this sums to $0$. That means that all sequences $i^1+i^2+\ldots+i^{4k}$ have a sum of zero (k is a natural number). Since $2006=4\cdot501+2$, the original series sums to the first two terms of the powers of i, which equals $-1+i$.

Solution 2

$i \cdot -1 \cdot -i \cdot 1 = -1$, so the product is equal to $(-1)^{501} \times i^{2005} \times i^{2006} = -1 \times i \times -1 = i$.