Homework Help: Help with proof (Roots of unity question)

1. Feb 6, 2012

Duckbeam

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/kno(It n data

I need to prove that $\prod_{k=1}^{n-1}2\sin\tfrac{k\pi}{n}=n$
I just don't know where to start and what type of proof to do.

Is there any help to get? :D

2. Relevant equations

I know this has nothing to do with an equation.
But i have come up with the equation i have to prove after investigating lenths between roots x^n=1 where x=ℂ.

I wonder if I can somehow connect the factorization of x^n=1 to the proof.

3. The attempt at a solution

I have no idea what to do, this is why im asking for help :D

Last edited: Feb 6, 2012
2. Feb 6, 2012

HallsofIvy

One way of defining "sine" is to say that sin(t) is the y coordinate of the point on the circumference of the unit circle at distance t, around the circumference, from (1, 0). Here, t is $k\pi/n$ so these points are equally spaced about the unit circle and, I am sure you understand, those points are the complex roots of the equation $z^n= 1$. Now, what can you say about the product of the imaginary parts of those roots?

(Note $(x- a)(x- b)= x^2- (a+ b)x+ ab$, $(x- a)(x- b)(x- c)= x^3- (a+ b+ c)x^2+ (ab+ ac+ bc)x- abc$, etc.)

3. Feb 6, 2012

Duckbeam

What if $k=1$ --- this point isn't a root of $z^n= 1$? As far as i understand?

__

Now to your question I am also a little confused.

I take $z^3=1$ as an example. It has the roots $e^{ik2\pi/3}$. If I exclude the root at (1,0) I have two imaginary parts left: $i\sin2\pi/3$ and $i\sin4\pi/3$. So: $\pm \sqrt{3}/2$. The product of these being $3/4$ --> not sure what you are getting at. But i might misunderstand it all.

4. Feb 6, 2012

HallsofIvy

Hmmm- you know I wondered briefly about this but did not follow up on it- what you are trying to prove is not true!

If n= 3, then k= 1 and 2 so that the product is $2sin(\pi/3)sin(2\pi/3)= 2(sqrt{3}/2)^2= 3/2$, not 3!

5. Feb 6, 2012

Duckbeam

--> $2sin(\pi/3)2sin(2\pi/3)= 3$

Did i write it wrong in my first post since you forgot the two in front of $sin(2\pi/3$)?

6. Feb 6, 2012

Duckbeam

I hope you didnt give up on me :tongue:

7. Feb 7, 2012

Duckbeam

Anyone willing to help here?

8. Feb 7, 2012

Dick

It's a bit of a trick. $x^n-1=(x-1)(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)$. You can also write $x^n-1=(x-1)(x-x_1)(x-x_2)...(x-x_{n-1})$ where the $x_k$ are the other roots $x^n-1$ that aren't 1. So define $f(x)=(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)=(x-x_1)(x-x_2)...(x-x_{n-1})$. So $f(1)=n$ and it's also equal to $(1-x_1)(1-x_2)...(1-x_{n-1})=|1-x_1| |1-x_2| ... |1-x_{n-1}|$. Now work out what those absolute values are.

9. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

Yes i see somewhat of a connection here.

If i do it for n=3,4,5:

n=3 ---> (x-1) (x^2-x(2cos(2π/3)+1)
n=4 ---> (x-1)(x+1)(x^2-x(2cos(π/2)+1)
n=5---> (x-1)(x^2-x(2cos(2π/5)+1)(x^2-x(2cos(4π/5)+1

The connection is see is that when x=1 then if (x-1) is excluded it equals to n. I am not excactly sure why though.

10. Feb 8, 2012

Dickfore

Hint:
$$\prod_{k = 1}^{n - 1}{2 \, \sin \left( \frac{k \, \pi}{n} \right)} = \st{2 \, \Im \prod_{k = 1}^{n - 1}{\exp \left( i \, \frac{k \, \pi}{n} \right)}} = \ldots$$
What is the sum in the exponential? What is $\Im \exp \left( i \, \alpha \right), \ \alpha \in \mathbb{R}$? Then, use the values of the sine.

EDIT:

The 2nd step does not follow from the first step. Namely: $\mathrm{Im}{z_1} \, \mathrm{Im}{z_2} \neq \mathrm{Im}(z_1 \, z_2)$

Last edited: Feb 8, 2012
11. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

:( -- im not completely familiar with all the notation here.

Especially the (exp) and the imaginary part. Im not sure how it all works together.
Any chance you can elaborate a little?

Also.. in the product it goes from k=1 to k=n-1 right? Thats not what you have written above -- is that on purpose or a typo?

12. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

I really need help with this ASAP!

This proof is only PART of my huge assignment that is due in two days and i can't get it down. I really need some big time help here.

13. Feb 8, 2012

Dick

I'll do the case n=3. $x^3-1=(x-1)(x-e^\frac{2 \pi i}{3})(x-e^\frac{4 \pi i}{3})$. Also $x^3-1=(x-1)(x^2+x+1)$. Therefore $(x-e^\frac{2 \pi i}{3})(x-e^\frac{4 \pi i}{3})=(x^2+x+1)$. Put x=1 in that last expression and take the absolute value. Now try showing e.g. that $| 1 - e^\frac{2 \pi i}{3} | = 2 sin(\frac{\pi}{3})$.

Last edited: Feb 8, 2012
14. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

Yes yes i have done this!

When n=3 --> then x^2+x+1 = $x^2-x(2cos(3π/2))+1$
Pluggin in one --> 3 = $2-2cos(3π/2)$
Using DA formula--> 3 = $2(1-(1-sin^2(π/3))$

So 3 = 4sin^2 (π/3)

Now in my assignment i have already shown that $| 1 - e^\frac{2 \pi i}{3} | = 2 sin(\frac{\pi}{3})$ .. A quick way (for now) is to say that $e^\frac{2 \pi i}{3}$ is the complex conjugate of $e^\frac{4 \pi i}{3}$ hence they have the same distance..

so they are both 2sin(π/3) long.

But my whole dilemma in all this is that i have no understanding how this all fits together.
I think it is cool that when taking out (x-1) the remaining is equal to n when putting in x=1.. but i don't understand why.. would it work putting in any other root? And why do we take out (x-1) --

i need some kind of explanation so i can get understanding of the phenomenon! :D haha

15. Feb 8, 2012

Dick

The whole thing works the same way for n not equal to 3. In general you will need to prove that $| 1 - e^\frac{2 \pi i k}{n} | = 2 \sin \frac{k \pi}{n}$. Those are the factors in your product. Or show $| 1 - e^{i \theta} | = 2 \sin \frac{ \theta }{2}$ for $0 \le \theta \le 2 \pi$.

Last edited: Feb 8, 2012
16. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

I think i get it! I appreciate it! :D

17. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

Man, i can't get it for general term n.. i don't know why

Any other hint that can help help me.

This is what i have found for n=3,4,5

n=3 : 4sin^2(π/3) ..
n=4 : 8sin^2(π/4)..
n=5 : 16sin^2(π/5)sin^2(2π/5)

I noticed this pattern:

2^n-1 sin^2(π/n) sin^2(2π/n)... sin^2(mπ/n) where m is the number of complex conjugatess..

18. Feb 8, 2012

Dick

It looks like you are ignoring the hint I have you and trying to work it out case by case. That's a lot of work and you don't have to do it. The basic part of the hint was that $(x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)=(x-e^\frac{2 i \pi}{n})(x-e^\frac{i 4 \pi}{n})...(x-e^\frac{i 2 (n-1) \pi}{n})$. Don't you believe it?

Last edited: Feb 8, 2012
19. Feb 8, 2012

Duckbeam

I do believe it! Because when x=1 the absolute values of the brackets on the RHS is basically the value of each distance and hence when multiplied together equals to n. But i still don't understand how to prove it.

i don't know if im just stupid here.. but i can't see it at all.. :(

btw, on the RHS i think you mean pi instead of x?

20. Feb 8, 2012

Dick

If you know the polynomial $x^n-1$ has n roots $r_1, r_2, ... r_n$, then you can factor the polynomial into $x^n-1 = (x-r_1)(x-r_2)...(x-r_n)$. But you do know those n roots. They are $1, e^\frac{2 i \pi}{n}, e^\frac{4 i \pi}{n}, ...$. They are the nth roots of unity. BTW I missing a '2' in the roots in my previous post. I'll fix it.

But now there is another way to factor $x^n-1 = (x-1) (x^{n-1}+x^{n-2}+...+x+1)$. Now just compare the two factorizations and 'cancel' the x-1 part.

Last edited: Feb 8, 2012