Difference between revisions of "De Moivre's Theorem"
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− | ''' | + | '''De Moivre's Theorem''' is a very useful theorem in the mathematical fields of [[complex numbers]]. It allows complex numbers in [[polar form]] to be easily raised to certain powers. It states that for <math>x\in\mathbb{R}</math> and <math>n\in\mathbb{Z}</math>, <math>\left(\cos x+i\sin x\right)^n=\cos(nx)+i\sin(nx)</math>. |
== Proof == | == Proof == | ||
− | This is one proof of | + | This is one proof of de Moivre's theorem by [[induction]]. |
− | *If <math>n | + | *If <math>n\ge0</math>: |
− | :Assume true for | + | :If <math>n=0</math>, the formula holds true because <math>\cos(0x)+i\sin(0x)=1+0i=1=z^0.</math> |
+ | |||
+ | :Assume the formula is true for <math>n=k</math>. Now, consider <math>n=k+1</math>: | ||
<cmath>\begin{align*} | <cmath>\begin{align*} | ||
(\cos x+i \sin x)^{k+1} & =(\cos x+i \sin x)^{k}(\cos x+i \sin x) & \text { by Exponential laws } \\ | (\cos x+i \sin x)^{k+1} & =(\cos x+i \sin x)^{k}(\cos x+i \sin x) & \text { by Exponential laws } \\ | ||
− | & =[\cos (k x)+i \sin (k x)](\cos x+i \sin x) & \text { by | + | & =[\cos (k x)+i \sin (k x)](\cos x+i \sin x) & \text { by our assumption } \\ |
− | & =\cos (k x) \cos x-\sin (k x)+i[\cos (k x) \sin x+\sin (k x) \cos x] & \\ | + | & =\cos (k x) \cos x-\sin (k x) \sin x+i[\cos (k x) \sin x+\sin (k x) \cos x] & \\ |
− | & =\operatorname{cis}(k+1) & \text { | + | & =\operatorname{cis}((k+1)(x)) & \text { by various trigonometric identities } |
\end{align*}</cmath> | \end{align*}</cmath> | ||
− | :Therefore, the result is true for all | + | :Therefore, the result is true for all nonnegative integers <math>n</math>. |
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− | |||
*If <math>n<0</math>, one must consider <math>n=-m</math> when <math>m</math> is a positive integer. | *If <math>n<0</math>, one must consider <math>n=-m</math> when <math>m</math> is a positive integer. | ||
− | + | <cmath>\begin{align*} | |
− | (\operatorname{cis} x)^{n} &=(\operatorname{cis} x)^{-m} \\ | + | (\operatorname{cis} x)^{n} &=(\operatorname{cis} x)^{-m} \\ |
− | &=\frac{1}{(\operatorname{cis} x)^{m}} \\ | + | &=\frac{1}{(\operatorname{cis} x)^{m}} \\ |
− | &=\frac{1}{\operatorname{cis}(m x)} \\ | + | &=\frac{1}{\operatorname{cis}(m x)} \\ |
− | &=\cos (m x)-i \sin (m x) | + | &=\cos (m x)-i \sin (m x) & \text { rationalization of the denominator } \\ |
− | &=\operatorname{cis}(-m x) \\ | + | &=\operatorname{cis}(-m x) \\ |
− | &=\operatorname{cis}(n x) | + | &=\operatorname{cis}(n x) |
− | \end{align*} | + | \end{align*}</cmath> |
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | And thus, the formula proves true for all integral values of <math>n</math>. <math>\blacksquare</math> | |
==Generalization== | ==Generalization== | ||
+ | Note that from the functional equation <math>f(x)^n = f(nx)</math> where <math>f(x) = \cos x + i\sin x</math>, we see that <math>f(x)</math> behaves like an exponential function. Indeed, [[Euler's identity]] states that <math>e^{ix} = \cos x+i\sin x</math>. This extends de Moivre's theorem to all <math>n\in \mathbb{R}</math>. | ||
+ | ==See Also== | ||
[[Category:Theorems]] | [[Category:Theorems]] | ||
[[Category:Complex numbers]] | [[Category:Complex numbers]] |
Latest revision as of 09:49, 31 August 2024
De Moivre's Theorem is a very useful theorem in the mathematical fields of complex numbers. It allows complex numbers in polar form to be easily raised to certain powers. It states that for and , .
Proof
This is one proof of de Moivre's theorem by induction.
- If :
- If , the formula holds true because
- Assume the formula is true for . Now, consider :
- Therefore, the result is true for all nonnegative integers .
- If , one must consider when is a positive integer.
And thus, the formula proves true for all integral values of .
Generalization
Note that from the functional equation where , we see that behaves like an exponential function. Indeed, Euler's identity states that . This extends de Moivre's theorem to all .