Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 1667Algebra › Equations and radicalsOlympiadAdded 3 Nov 2026

A cyclotomic equation

#roots of unity#cyclotomic#complex

Statement

Solve in C\mathbb{C} the equation z5=1z^5=1.

Hint

Write z=reiθz=re^{i\theta} and identify modulus and argument.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Modulus. ∣z∣5=1|z|^5=1, so r=1r=1.

Argument. 5θ≡0(mod2π)5\theta\equiv0\pmod{2\pi}, so θ=2kπ/5\theta=2k\pi/5, k=0,1,2,3,4k=0,1,2,3,4.

Solutions. zk=e2ikπ/5z_k=e^{2ik\pi/5} for k=0,1,2,3,4k=0,1,2,3,4:
z=1,e2iπ/5,e4iπ/5,e6iπ/5,e8iπ/5.z=1,\quad e^{2i\pi/5},\quad e^{4i\pi/5},\quad e^{6i\pi/5},\quad e^{8i\pi/5}.

Conclusion. The fifth roots of unity are the vertices of a regular pentagon on the unit circle.