Confirm a) & Solve b): Homework Help

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a complex number problem involving the fourth root of a complex number in polar form. The correct approach emphasizes the importance of calculating the root before converting to rectangular form. The fourth roots of the complex number 7(cos(π/2) + i sin(π/2)) are derived using the formula [r (cos(θ) + i sin(θ))]^n = r^n(cos(nθ) + i sin(nθ)), resulting in four distinct roots: 7^{1/4}(cos(π/8) + i sin(π/8)), 7^{1/4}(cos(π/4 + π/2) + i sin(π/4 + π/2)), 7^{1/4}(cos(π/4 + π) + i sin(π/4 + π)), and 7^{1/4}(cos(π/4 + 3π/2) + i sin(π/4 + 3π/2)).

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Homework Statement



http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/999/ksknl6.th.jpg http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php

Could someone confirm that the a) part is correct, and if it is, then what is the next step? :)
And I am not exactly sure what to do in the b) part.

I would really appreciate if someone could help me out with this. :)

Thanks in advance.
 
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NO, (a) is not correct because you haven't answered the question! I think you have misunderstood what is asked. If you were asked to find ^4\sqrt{16}, you wouldn't answer "161/4"!

Don't change from polar to rectangular form until after you have done the root! One important reason for using polar form for complex numbers is the fact that
[r (cos(\theta)+ i sin(\theta)]^n= r^n(cos(n\theta)+ i sin(n\theta))

For n= 1/4,
(7(cos(\pi/2)+ i sin(\pi/2))^{1/4}= 7^{1/4}(cos(\pi/8)+ i sin(\pi/8))
Also, since adding 2\pi to the argument doesn't change the complex number, and 2\pi/4= \pi/2 another fourth root is
7^{1/4}(cos(\pi/4+ \pi/2)+ i sin(\pi/4+ \pi/2))
yet another is
7^{1/4}(cos(\pi/4+ \pi)+ i sin(\pi/4+ \pi))
and, finally,
7^{1/4}(coS(\pi/4+ 3\pi/2)+ i sin(\pi/4+ 3\pi/2))

Those are the four fourth roots of 7(cos(\pi/2)+ i sin(\pi/2))= 7i
 
Edit: Shows what I know. Listen to HallsofIvy instead
 
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