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Exercise 827Algebra › Complex numbersL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Cube roots of a complex number

#cube roots#complex#De Moivre

Statement

Find the cube roots of z=8iz=8i.

Hint

Write z=8eiπ/2z=8e^{i\pi/2} and use De Moivre with argument (π/2+2kπ)/3(\pi/2+2k\pi)/3.

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Solution

Exponential form. z=8eiπ/2z=8e^{i\pi/2}.

Cube roots. wk=2ei(π/2+2kπ)/3w_k=2e^{i(\pi/2+2k\pi)/3} for k=0,1,2k=0,1,2:
- k=0k=0: w0=2eiπ/6=2(cos⁡π6+isin⁡π6)=2(32+i2)=3+iw_0=2e^{i\pi/6}=2(\cos\frac\pi6+i\sin\frac\pi6)=2(\frac{\sqrt3}{2}+\frac i2)=\sqrt3+i.
- k=1k=1: w1=2ei5π/6=2(−32+i2)=−3+iw_1=2e^{i5\pi/6}=2(-\frac{\sqrt3}{2}+\frac i2)=-\sqrt3+i.
- k=2k=2: w2=2ei3π/2=2(−i)=−2iw_2=2e^{i3\pi/2}=2(-i)=-2i.

Conclusion. The cube roots are 3+i\sqrt3+i, −3+i-\sqrt3+i, −2i-2i.