How to get 4 roots for z^4 +16 =0?

[dla]

Homework Statement

Solve for z^4 +16=0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

What I first did was square rooted both sides to get z^2 = ±4i, but I don't how to continue from there. I'm guessing we have to find the roots from z^2=4i and then from z^2=-4i separately any help will be much appreciated!

 

[janhaa]

try this first;

z^4+16=0

(z^2+4i)(z^2-4i)=0

 

[CAF123]

You could try rewriting the RHS of $z^4 = -16$ in Euler form, which may make the problem less fiddly.

 

[HallsofIvy]

In fact, in polar form, i= e^{i\pi/2} so \sqrt{i}= e^{i\pi/4}= \sqrt{2}/2+ i\sqrt{2}/2 and e^{-i\pi/4}= \sqrt{2}/2- i\sqrt{2}{2}

If z^2= -4i then z= \pm i(2)\sqrt{i}.