Analyzing the Setup
When you encounter the quadratic equation x2+x+1=0, pause and recognize it as the signature of the cube roots of unity. This equation serves as a gateway to a world where numbers rotate and dance on the complex plane.
The roots of this equation are the non-real cube roots of unity, denoted as ω and ω2. The most fundamental property of these roots is that ω3=1.
The Power of Three
This property acts as our master key. Whenever you encounter a high power of ω, you are essentially looking at a cycle of three; if the exponent is a multiple of 3, the result is simply 1.
Consider the expression:
z=3+6iz081−3iz093
We must evaluate
z081 and
z093. Since
81=3×27, we have:
z081=(ω3)27=127=1
Similarly, since
93=3×31, we find:
z093=(ω3)31=131=1
The complex powers vanish, leaving us with a simplified expression.
The Geometric Reality
Substitute these values back into the equation for
z:
z=3+6i(1)−3i(1)
This simplifies to:
z=3+3i
Imagine this point on the complex plane. You move 3 units along the real axis and 3 units up the imaginary axis, placing you in the first quadrant at coordinates (3,3). This represents a vector pointing exactly at a 45-degree angle.
The Final Calculation
To find the argument, we use the standard formula for a complex number
z=x+iy located in the first quadrant:
argz=tan−1(xy)
Given
x=3 and
y=3, we calculate:
argz=tan−1(33)=tan−1(1)
We know that the angle whose tangent is 1 is
4π. Thus, the final argument is:
argz=4π
We started with a complex-looking expression and, by understanding the underlying structure of the roots of unity, we arrived at a simple, elegant result. Keep this perspective, and no complex number problem will ever intimidate you again.