Why does e^-im(3pi/2) equal i^m?

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SUMMARY

The equation e^{-im(3π/2)} = i^m holds true for m ∈ ℤ, as demonstrated through Euler's formula and properties of complex numbers. By recognizing that e^{-i(3π/2)} equals i, the relationship simplifies to i^m. The proof involves using the logarithmic identity i^m = e^{m ln(i)} and confirming that e^{i(-3π/2)} corresponds to the point i on the complex plane, thus validating the equality.

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  • Understanding of Euler's formula
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  • Knowledge of logarithmic properties in complex analysis
  • Basic trigonometric identities related to angles
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Homework Statement


I'm trying to follow some solution to an exercise in physics and apparently [itex]e^{-im \frac{3\pi}{2}}=i^m[/itex] where [itex]m \in \mathbb{Z}[/itex].
I don't realize why this is true.

Homework Equations


Euler's formula.

The Attempt at a Solution


I applied Euler's formula but this is still a mistery.
[itex]i^m=\cos \left ( \frac{3\pi m}{2} \right ) -i \sin \left ( \frac{3\pi m }{2} \right )[/itex].
I've checked the formula for m=1 and 2, it works. I must be missing the obvious, but I'm very tired physically and mentally.
Thanks for any help.

Edit: I found it. I drew a mental sketch of [itex]e^{-i \frac{3\pi }{2}}[/itex], it's "i" in the complex plane. Then just elevate this to the power m and the job is done.
 
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What you can do is to use
[tex]i^m = e^{\ln(i^m)} = e^{m \ln i}[/tex]
and then calculate what is [itex]\ln i[/itex]
 
[itex]e^{im\frac{-3\pi}{2}}= \left(e^{i\frac{-3\pi}{2}}\right)^m[/itex]

And, of course, [itex]e^{i\frac{-3\pi}{2}}= i[/itex] so that expression is just [itex]i^m[/itex].

If you are not clear that [itex]e^{i\frac{3\pi}{2}}= i[/itex], recall that [itex]e^{i\theta}[/itex], for any real [itex]\theta[/itex], lies on the unit circle ([itex]|e^{i\theta}|= 1[/itex] at angle [itex]\theta[/itex] measured counter clockwise from the positive real axis.
[itex]e^{i\frac{-3\pi}{2}}[/itex] lies on the unit circle, an angle [itex]3\pi/2[/itex] measured clockwise from the positive real axis.

Another way to see this is to recall that [itex]x^{-1}= 1/x[/itex] and that [itex]1/i= -i[/itex].
 

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