Question 39 of 157MediumMCQ
Let α,β be the roots of the equation x2−2x+2=0. Then α14+β14 is equal to
Solutions · 1
Official solution
Find the roots of the quadratic equation:
The quadratic formula is \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]. For the quadratic equation \[x^2 - \sqrt{2}x + 2 = 0\], we have \[a = 1, b = -\sqrt{2}, c = 2\]. Plugging these into the quadratic formula gives:
\[x = \frac{\sqrt{2} \pm \sqrt{(-\sqrt{2})^2 - 4(1)(2)}}{2(1)} = \frac{\sqrt{2} \pm \sqrt{2 - 8}}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{2} \pm \sqrt{6}i}{2}.\]
So, we have two roots, α and β, which are:
\[\alpha = \frac{\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{6}i}{2},\]
\[\beta = \frac{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}i}{2}.\]
Express the roots in exponential form:
We can express complex numbers in the form \[re^{i\theta}\]. For α and β, we find the magnitude \[r = \sqrt{2}\] and the arguments \[\theta = \frac{\pi}{3}, -\frac{\pi}{3}\] respectively. So, we have:
\[\alpha = \sqrt{2}e^{i\frac{\pi}{3}},\]
\[\beta = \sqrt{2}e^{-i\frac{\pi}{3}}.\]
Calculate the 14th power of the roots:
To find \[\alpha^{14}\] and \[\beta^{14}\], we use the property of exponents which says that (am)n=amn. So, we have:
\[\alpha^{14} = (\sqrt{2}e^{i\frac{\pi}{3}})^{14} = 2^7e^{i\frac{14\pi}{3}} = 128e^{i\frac{2\pi}{3}},\]
\[\beta^{14} = (\sqrt{2}e^{-i\frac{\pi}{3}})^{14} = 2^7e^{-i\frac{14\pi}{3}} = 128e^{-i\frac{2\pi}{3}}.\]
Add the 14th powers of the roots:
We want to find the real part of \[\alpha^{14} + \beta^{14}\]. To do this, we use the property that \[e^{ix} = \cos(x) + i\sin(x)\]. We have:
\[\alpha^{14} + \beta^{14} = 128e^{i\frac{2\pi}{3}} + 128e^{-i\frac{2\pi}{3}} = 128(2)\cos\left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right) = -128.\]
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