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Exercise 425Algebra › Complex numbersHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

De Moivre's formula

#De Moivre#powers#trigonometric form

Statement

Compute (1+i)10(1+i)^{10} using De Moivre's formula.

Hint

Write 1+i1+i in trigonometric form first.

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Solution

Trigonometric form. ∣1+i∣=2|1+i|=\sqrt2, arg⁡(1+i)=π/4\arg(1+i)=\pi/4, so 1+i=2eiπ/41+i=\sqrt2 e^{i\pi/4}.

De Moivre. (1+i)10=(2)10e10iπ/4=25e5iπ/2=32eiπ/2=32i(1+i)^{10}=(\sqrt2)^{10}e^{10i\pi/4}=2^5 e^{5i\pi/2}=32e^{i\pi/2}=32i.

Conclusion. (1+i)10=32i(1+i)^{10}=32i.

Verification. (1+i)2=2i(1+i)^2=2i, (1+i)4=−4(1+i)^4=-4, (1+i)8=16(1+i)^8=16, (1+i)10=16⋅(2i)=32i(1+i)^{10}=16\cdot(2i)=32i. Correct.