Complex Numbers - Finding roots

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To solve the equation z^4 = -i, the modulus is determined to be r = 1, leading to the equation e^{4iθ} = e^{-iπ/2}. The confusion arises from the choice of angle conventions, as angles can be normalized between -π and π or between 0 and 2π. Using the first convention, the correct angles for θ can be derived as -π/8 + n(π/2), while the second convention leads to different equivalent angles. Ultimately, both methods yield valid solutions, but the choice of convention affects the representation of the angles. Understanding these conventions is crucial for accurately finding the roots of complex equations.
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Homework Statement


Solve the equation z^4= -i


Homework Equations


De Moivre's Theorem


The Attempt at a Solution


I understand how to find the roots by equating modulus and argument but I wanted to ask how do you know which arguments to take? Because I got up to

4*theta = -Pi/2, 3*Pi/2, 7*Pi/2

then I thought that I should take -5*Pi/2 because I thought that the final argument should lie between -Pi and Pi. Is that wrong? Because the answers took 11*Pi/2 instead...

I don't understand. Please help.
 
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Short answer: you are right.

Long answer:

First of all, note that for any integer n,
e^{i \theta} = e^{i (\theta + 2 \pi)}.

However, it is convention to normalize angles by subtracting multiples of 2 pi. Unfortunately two different conventions are in use: some people prefer to take all angles between -pi and pi, some prefer to use angles between 0 and 2 pi. If you are using the first [second] convention and you get a negative angle [angle > pi] you can always go to the other convention by adding [subtracting] 2pi.

Now, solving z4 = -i you first write z = r e^{i \theta}, i = e^{-i \pi}. The modulus equation gives r = 1, and then you get
e^{4 i \theta} = e^{-i \pi / 2}
(I am using the convention of angles between -pi and pi here, otherwise you would get 3pi/2 on the RHS).
The solution is given by
4 \theta = - \pi / 2 + 2 \pi n
so -- dividing by 4 --
\theta = - \frac{\pi}{8} + n \frac{pi}{2}

Now all you have to do is plug in values of n to get all the inequivalent angles between -pi and pi. You will find
4theta = -5*Pi/8, -Pi/2, 3*Pi/2, 7*Pi/2

If instead, you use the convention that angles should be between 0 and pi, you have to add 2 pi to the first two (i.e. add 8pi to 4 times the angle), and you get
4theta = 3*Pi/2, 7*Pi/2, 11*Pi/2, 15*Pi/2.

The book is apparently mixing the two conventions. Of course the answers are right, and if you want you could have written down
4theta = +75*Pi/2, -33*Pi/2, 3*Pi/2, -1593*Pi/2
if you wanted.
 

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