Three Cube Roots of Unity & Four Fourth Roots of Unity

Three Cube Roots & Four Fourth Roots of a Number

Exercise 4.4
1. Find the three cube roots of: 8, -8, 27, -27, and 64
(I) 8
Solution:
Let x be a cube root of 8
1

x = 3 8 = (8) 3
1

x 3 = ((8) 3 )3
x3 = 8
x3 8 = 0
( x)3 (2)3 = 0
( x 2)( x 2 + 2 x + 4) = 0
x2= 0
x2 + 2x + 4 = 0
x=2

2 (2) 2 4(1)(4)
x=
2(1)
2 12
2
2 (4)(3)
x=
2
2 2 3
x=
2
2(1 3i )
x=
2
1 + 3i
x = 2(
)
2
x=

1 3i
)
2
1 3i
x = 2(
)
2
Q w = 1 + 3i
x = 2w
x = 2 w2
2
Q w2 = 1 3i
2
2
Hence, three cube roots of 8 are: {2, 2 w, 2 w }

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

x = 2(

Prepared by Bilal

(II) -8
Solution:
Let x be a cube root of -8
1

x = 3 8 = (8) 3
1
3 3

x = ((8) )
x 3 = 8
x3 + 8 = 0
( x)3 + (2)3 = 0
( x + 2)( x 2 2 x + 4) = 0
x+2=0
x2 2x + 4 = 0
3

x = 2

x=

(2) (2) 2 4(1)(4)

2(1)

2 12
2
2 (4)(3)
x=
2
2 2 3
x=
2
2(1 3i )
x=
2
1 + 3i
x = 2(
)
2
1 3i
x = 2(
)
2
x=

x = 2 w 2

1 3i
x = 2(
)
2
1 3i
x = 2(
)
2
1 + 3i
x = 2(
)
2

x = 2 w

Q w = 1 + 3i
2
Q w2 = 1 3i
2

Hence, three cube roots of -8 are: {2, 2w, 2 w2 }

(III) 27
Solution:
Let x be a cube root of 27
1

x = 3 27 = (27) 3
1

x 3 = ((27) 3 )3
x 3 = 27
x 3 27 = 0
Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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( x)3 (3)3 = 0
( x 3)( x 2 + 3 x + 9) = 0
x 3= 0
x 2 + 3x + 9 = 0
3 (3) 2 4(1)(9)
x=
2(1)

x=3

3 27
2
3 (9)(3)
x=
2
3 3 3
x=
2
3(1 3)
x=
2
3(1 3i )
1 3i

x=
x = 3(
)
2
2
1 + 3i
1 3i
x = 3(
)
x = 3(
)
2
2
x = 3w
x = 3w2
Hence, three cube roots of 27 are: {3,3w,3w2 }
x=

(IV) -27
Solution:
Let x be a cube root of -27
1

x = 3 27 = (27) 3
1

x 3 = ((27) 3 )3
x 3 = 27
x 3 + 27 = 0
( x)3 + (3)3 = 0
( x + 3)( x 2 3 x + 9) = 0
x+3= 0
x 2 3x + 9 = 0
x = 3

x=

(3) ( 3) 2 4(1)(9)
2(1)

3 27
2
3 (9)(3)
x=
2
x=

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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3 3 3
2
3(1 3)
x=
2
3(1 3i )
1 3i

x=
x = 3(
)
2
2
1 + 3i
1 3i
x = 3(
)
x = 3(
)
2
2
1 3i
1 + 3i
x = 3(
)
x = 3(
)
2
2
x = 3w
x = 3w 2
Hence, three cube roots of -27 are: {3, 3w, 3w2 }
x=

(V) 64
Solution:
Let x be a cube root of 64
1

x = 3 64 = (64) 3
1

x 3 = ((64) 3 )3
x 3 = 64
x 3 64 = 0
( x)3 (4)3 = 0
( x 4)( x 2 + 4 x + 16) = 0
x4= 0
x 2 + 4 x + 16 = 0
x=4

x=

4 (4) 2 4(1)(16)
2(1)

4 48
2
4 (16)(3)
x=
2
4 4 3
x=
2
4(1 3i )
1 3i

x=
x = 4(
)
2
2
1 + 3i
1 3i
x = 4(
)
x = 4(
)
2
2
x = 4w
x = 4 w2
Hence, three cube roots of 64 are: {4, 4w, 4w2 }
x=

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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2. Evaluate:
(i) (1 + w w2 )8
(iv) (

(ii) w28 + w29 + 1

1 + 3 9 1 3 7
) +(
)
2
2

(v) (1 + 3)5 + (1 3)5

(i) (1 + w w2 )8
Solution:
(1 + w w2 )8
Add and subtract w2
(1 + w w2 )8 = (1 + w + w2 w2 w2 )8
= (1 + w + w2 2 w2 )8
= (0 2w2 )8
= 256w16
= 256( w3 )15 w
= 256(1)15 w
= 256w
(ii) w28 + w29 + 1
Solution:
w28 + w29 + 1 =
=
=
=

(iii) (1 + w w2 )(1 w + w2 )

( w3 )9 w + ( w3 )9 w2 + 1
(1)9 w + (1)9 w2 + 1
w + w2 + 1
0

Q 1 + w + w2 = 0

Q w3 = 1

Q w + w2 + 1 = 1 + w + w2 = 0

(iii) (1 + w w2 )(1 w + w2 )
Solution:
(1 + w w2 )(1 w + w2 )
Add and subtract w2 in the 1st bracket, and add and subtract w in the 2nd bracket.
(1 + w w2 )(1 w + w2 )
= (1 + w + w2 w2 w2 )(1 + w w w + w2 )
= (1 + w + w2 2 w2 )(1 + w + w2 2 w)
= (0 2w2 )(0 2w)
= (2 w2 )(2w)
= 4w3
=4
1 + 3 9 1 3 7
) +(
)
2
2
Solution:
(iv) (

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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1 + 3 9 1 3 7
) +(
)
2
2

= ( w ) 9 + ( w 2 )7

Qw=

1 + 3
1 3
, w2 =
2
2

= ( w3 )3 + w14
= ( w3 )3 + ( w3 )4 w2
= (1)3 + (1)4 w2
= 1 + w2
= w
1 + 3 7 1 3 7
) +(
)
2
2
Then solution:
1 + 3 7 1 3 7
=
(
) +(
)
2
2
=
=
=
=
If (

( w)7 + ( w2 )7
( w3 ) 2 w + w14
( w3 ) 2 w + ( w3 )4 w2
w + w2
1

(v) (1 + 3)5 + (1 3)5

Solution:
Multiply and divide by 2 with both the brackets.
1 + 3 5
1 3 5
= (2
(1 + 3)5 + (1 3)5
) + (2
)
2
2
= (2 w)5 + (2 w2 )5
= 32 w5 + 32 w10
= 32 w3 w2 + 32( w3 )3 w
= 32(1) w2 + 32(1) w
= 32 w2 + 32 w
= 32( w2 + w)
= 32(1)
= 32
3. Show that:
(i) x 3 y 3 = ( x y )( x wy )( x w2 y )
Solution:
x 3 y 3 = ( x y )( x wy )( x w2 y )
x 3 y 3 = ( x2 wxy xy + wy2 )( x w2 y )
x 3 y 3 = ( x3 w2 x2 y wx2 y + w3 xy2 x2 y + w2 xy2 + wxy2 w3 y3 )
Rearranging we have,

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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x3 y3
x3 y3
x3 y3
x3 y3
x3 y3

= ( x3 w2 x2 y wx2 y x2 y + w3 xy2 + w2 xy2 + wxy2 w3 y3 )

= x3 x2 y ( w2 + w + 1) + xy2 ( w3 + w2 + w) w3 y3
= x3 x2 y ( w2 + w + 1) + wxy2 ( w2 + w + 1) w3 y3
= x3 w3 y3
= x3 y 3
Proved.

(ii) x 3 + y3 + z3 3 xyz = ( x + y + z )( x + wy + w2 z )( x + w2 y + wz )
Solution:
x 3 + y3 + z3 3 xyz = ( x + y + z )( x + wy + w2 z )( x + w2 y + wz )
Take L.H.S
= ( x + y + z )( x + wy + w2 z )( x + w2 y + wz )
= ( x + y + z )( x 2 + w2 xy + wxz + wxy + w3 y2 + w2 yz + w2 xz + w4 yz + w3 z2 )
= ( x + y + z )( x 2 + xy ( w2 + w) + xz ( w + w2 ) + yz ( w2 + w) + w3 y2
= ( x + y + z )( x 2 + xy (1) + xz (1) + yz (1) + (1) y2
= ( x + y + z )( x 2 xy xz yz + y2 )
= x 3 x 2 y x2 z xyz + xy2 + x2 y xy2 xyz y2 z + y3 + x2 z xyz xz2 yz2 + y2 z
= x 3 + y 3 + z 3 3 xyz Proved.
(iii) (1 + w)(1 + w2 )(1 + w4 )(1 + w8 ) 2n factors = 1
Solution:
(1 + w)(1 + w2 )(1 + w4 )(1 + w8 )
2n factors
2
2
(1 + w)(1 + w )(1 + w)(1 + w )
2n factors
2
3
2
3
(1 + w + w + w )(1 + w + w + w )
2n factors
2
2
(1 + w + w + 1)(1 + w + w + 1)
2n factors
(0 + 1)(0 + 1)
2n factors
(1)(1)
2n factors
2n
(1)
1
Proved.
4. If w is a root of x 2 + x + 1 = 0 , show that its other root is w2 and prove that w3 = 1.
Solution:
If w is the root of the equation x 2 + x + 1 = 0 then,
Equation (A)
w2 + w + 1 = 0
Now, to prove that its other root is w2 , Replace x by w2 ,
( w2 )2 + w2 + 1 = 0
x2 + x + 1 = 0
Add and subtract w2 .
( w2 )2 + w2 + w2 + 1 w2 = 0
( w2 )2 + 2 w2 + 1 w2 = 0

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( w2 + 1)2 w2 = 0
( w2 + 1 + w)( w2 + 1 w) = 0
Q a 2 b2 = ( a + b)( a b)
From Equation (A) w2 + 1 + w = 0 , therefore
(0)( w2 + 1 w) = 0
( w2 )2 + w2 + 1 = 0 Equation (B)
Hence, w2 is also a root of x 2 + x + 1 = 0 .
Now, to prove w3 = 1 subtract Equation (A) from B.
( w2 )2 + w2 + 1 = 0
_ w2 w 1 = 0
w4 w = 0
w( w3 1) = 0
As, w 0
w3 1 = 0
w3 = 1

Proved.

5. Prove that complex cube roots of 1 are

9

1 + 3i
1 3i
and
; and hence prove that
2
2

1 + 3 1 3

+
= 2
2 2
Solution:
Let x be the cube root of 1 , therefore
1

x = 3 1 = (1) 3
x 3 = 1
x3 + 1 = 0
( x)3 + (1)3 = 0
( x + 1)( x 2 x + 1) = 0
x +1 = 0
x2 x + 1 = 0
(1) 1 4
x = 1
x=
2(1)
1 3
2
1 3i
x=
2
1 + 3i
x=
2
x=

1 3i
2
1 + 3i 1 3i
Hence, three cube roots of 1 are: {1,
,
}
2
2
x=

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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1 + 3 1 3
Equation (C)
Now, we have to prove,
+
= 2
2
2

1 + 3
1 3
As we know that: w =
and
w2 =
2
2
1 3
1 + 3
w =
w2 =
2
2
Hence, equation (C) becomes:

( w ) + ( w)
2 9

= 2

Take R.H.S

( w ) + ( w)
2 9

3 6
3 3
6
3
w18 w9 = ( w ) ( w ) = (1) (1) = 2

Proved.

6. If w is a cube root of unity, form an equation whose roots are 2w and 2w2 .
Solution:
To form an equation, whose roots are 2w and 2w2 , we have
Q If 2w is a root
x = 2w x 2 w = 0
( x 2 w)( x 2 w2 ) = 0
x = 2 w2 x 2 w2 = 0
Is 2w2 is a root
x 2 2 w2 x 2 wx + 4 w3 = 0
x 2 2 x ( w2 + w) + 4 w3 = 0
Q w2 + w = 1 , w3 = 1
x 2 2 x (1) + 4(1) = 0
Answer
x2 + 2x + 4 = 0
7. Find four fourth roots of: 16, 81, and 625
(i) 16
Solution:
Let x be a fourth root of 16, therefore,
x = 4 16
x = 16

1
4

14
( x) = 16

4
x = 16
x 4 16 = 0

( x ) ( 4)
2 2

=0

( x 2 + 4)( x 2 4) = 0
x2 + 4 = 0
x 2 = 4
x = 4

Q a 2 b2 = ( a + b)( a b)
x2 4 = 0
x2 = 4
x= 4

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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x = 2
x = 4i
x = 2i
Hence four fourth roots of 16 are: 2, 2, 2i, 2i

(ii) 81
Solution:
Let x be a fourth root of 81, therefore,
x = 4 81
1
4

x = 81

14
( x) = 81

4
x = 81
x 4 81 = 0

( x ) ( 9)
2 2

=0

( x + 9)( x 9) = 0
Q a 2 b2 = ( a + b)( a b)
x2 + 9 = 0
x2 9 = 0
x 2 = 9
x2 = 9
x = 9
x= 9
x = 3
x = 9i
x = 3i
Hence, four fourth roots of 81 are: 3, 3,3i, 3i
2

(iii) 625
Solution:
Let x be a fourth root of 625, therefore,
x = 4 625
1

x = 625 4
1

( x) = 625 4

4
x 625 = 0

( x ) ( 25)
2 2

=0

( x 2 + 25)( x 2 25) = 0
x 2 + 25 = 0
x 2 = 25
x = 25
x = 25i
x = 5i

Q a 2 b2 = ( a + b)( a b)
x 2 25 = 0
x 2 = 25
x = 25
x = 5

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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Hence, four fourth roots of 625 are: 5, 5,5i, 5i

8. Solve the following equations:
(i) 2 x 4 32 = 0
Solution:
2 x 4 32 = 0
2( x 4 16) = 0
x 4 16 = 0
( x 2 ) 2 (4)2 = 0
( x 2 + 4)( x 2 4) = 0
Q a 2 b2 = ( a + b)( a b)
x2 + 4 = 0
x2 4 = 0
x 2 = 4
x2 = 4
x = 4
x= 4
x = 2
x = 4i
x = 2i
Hence, solution set = {2, 2, 2i, 2i}
(ii) 3 y 5 243 y = 0
Solution:
3 y 5 243 y = 0
3 y ( y 4 81) = 0
3y = 0
y 4 81 = 0
y=0
( y 2 )2 (9)2 = 0
( y 2 + 9)( y 2 9) = 0
y2 + 9 = 0
y 2 = 9

Q a 2 b2 = ( a + b)( a b)
y2 9 = 0
y2 = 9

y = 9
y= 9
y = 3i
y = 3
Hence, solution set = {0,3, 3,3i, 3i}
(iii) x 3 + x 2 + x + 1 = 0
Solution:
x3 + x2 + x + 1 = 0
x 2 ( x + 1) + 1( x + 1) = 0
( x + 1)( x 2 + 1) = 0
x +1 = 0
x2 + 1 = 0
x = 1
x 2 = 1
x = 1

Q i 2 = 1

x = i2
Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

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x = i
Hence, solution set = {1, i, i}
(iv) 5 x 5 5 x = 0
Solution:
5 x5 5 x = 0
5 x( x 4 1) = 0
5x = 0
x4 1 = 0
x=0
( x 2 ) 2 (1)2 = 0
( x 2 + 1)( x 2 1) = 0
x2 + 1 = 0
x2 1 = 0
x 2 = 1
x2 = 1
x = i
x = 1
{0,1,

1,
i
, i}
Hence, solution set =

Mathematics Notes for First Year (Class 11)

Prepared by Bilal