4.

5 nth Roots of complex numbers

If n is a positive integer and z ∈ C, then we define an nth root of z to be any w ∈ C such that
wn = z. Clearly, when z = 0, then wn = z, i. e., wn = 0, if and only if w = 0, and therefore we
only consider z 6= 0.

Theorem 4.12 (de Moivre’s theorem for finding roots). Let n ∈ N and z = |z|eiθ ∈ C such
that z 6= 0. Then there are n distinct nth roots of z given by
θ+2πk
zk = |z| n ei( )
1
n

for k = 0, 1, 2, ..., n − 1.

Proof. Omitted

1
Note. All nth roots of z have the same modulus |z| n and hence all lie on the circle centered at
1 2π
the origin having radius |z| n , and are equally spaced radians apart, starting with argument
n
π
. When n ≥ 3, the roots lie at the vertices of a regular polygon of n sides inscribed in the
n 1
circle |z| n .

Example 4.5.1. Find the three cube roots of z = −8i in standard form and sketch them in
the complex plane.
π
Solution. In polar form z = −8i = 8e− 2 i . By de Moivre’s theorem for roots we have for
n = 3 (cube roots)
−π
 
i 2 +2πk π 2πk
= 2ei(− 6 + ),
1 3
zk = 8 e
3 3 k = 0, 1, 2.

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This gives
π
z0 = 2ei(− 6 )
  π  π 
= 2 cos − + sin − i
6 ! 6
√
3 1
=2 − i
2 2
√
= 3 − i;

π 2π
z1 = 2ei(− 6 + 3 )
π
= 2ei 2
= 2i;

π 4π
z2 = 2ei(− 6 + 3 )
7π
= 2ei 6
π
= 2eiπ ei 6
 π  π  
= −2 cos + sin i
6 ! 6
√
3 1
= −2 + i
2 2
√
= − 3 − i.

Im
2 2i

−2 −1 1 2 Re
√ √
− 3−i −1 3−i

−2

Note. If w ∈ C, then instead of saying “find the nth roots of w” we may also say “find all
roots of the equation z n − w = 0” or “find all solutions of the equation z n − w = 0”.

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 √
Example. Determine the two square roots of z = 3 + i in standard form.

Tutorial 4.5.1. 1. (a) Find the fourth roots of 1 + i and plot them in the complex plane.

(b) Find the sixth roots of 64 and plot them in the complex plane.

2. Find and plot all the roots in polar form of the following equations in the complex plane.

(a) z 3 + 8 = 0,

(b) z 4 + i = 0,

(c) z 4 + 81 = 0,
√
(d) z 4 − (1 − 3i) = 0,

(e) z 6 − (4 − 4i) = 0.

3. Find all square roots of 1 + i and express your answer in Euler’s form.

4. Find all solutions of the equation z 4 + 8 = 0 and use the result to factor z 4 + 8 into two
quadratic factors with real coefficients.

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