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Exercise 1937Algebra › Complex numbersOlympiadAdded 4 Nov 2026

The product of sin(kπ/n)

#roots of unity#trigonometric product#cyclotomic

Statement

Prove that for every integer n≥2n\ge2,
∏k=1n−1sin⁡kπn=n2n−1.\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}\sin\frac{k\pi}n=\frac n{2^{n-1}}.

Hint

The numbers ωk=e2πik/n\omega^k=e^{2\pi ik/n}, 1≤k≤n−11\le k\le n-1, are the roots of xn−1+xn−2+⋯+1x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+\dots+1. Evaluate this polynomial at x=1x=1, and compute ∣1−eiθ∣|1-e^{i\theta}|.

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Solution

Factorisation. The nn-th roots of unity other than 11 are the roots of xn−1+⋯+x+1=∏k=1n−1(x−ωk)x^{n-1}+\dots+x+1=\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}(x-\omega^k). At x=1x=1: n=∏k=1n−1(1−ωk)n=\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}(1-\omega^k).

Moduli. For θ∈(0,2π)\theta\in(0,2\pi),
∣1−eiθ∣=2sin⁡θ2.|1-e^{i\theta}|=2\sin\frac\theta2.
With θ=2πkn\theta=\frac{2\pi k}n this is 2sin⁡kπn>02\sin\frac{k\pi}n>0. Taking moduli in the product,
n=∏k=1n−12sin⁡kπn=2n−1∏k=1n−1sin⁡kπn,n=\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}2\sin\frac{k\pi}n=2^{n-1}\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}\sin\frac{k\pi}n,
which is the claim.

Check. n=3n=3: sin⁡π3sin⁡2π3=34=322\sin\frac\pi3\sin\frac{2\pi}3=\frac34=\frac3{2^2} ✓. n=4n=4: 22⋅1⋅22=12=423\frac{\sqrt2}2\cdot1\cdot\frac{\sqrt2}2=\frac12=\frac4{2^3} ✓.

Lesson. A trigonometric product over equally spaced angles often comes from evaluating ∏(x−ωk)\prod(x-\omega^k) at a well-chosen point.