De Moivre’s Theorem

Theorem. Let z = r(cos (θ) + i sin (θ)) be a complex number. Then for any positive integer n,

z n = rn (cos (nθ) + i sin (nθ))

In Math 1210, De Moivre’s theorem is used in two ways:
1. To aid in simplifying complex number expressions.
2. To find roots of complex numbers.
3. To prove some trig identities.
Let’s start with simplifying complex expressions.
Example. Simplify the expression √
(−2 3 − 2i)12
Solution:
Without De Moivre’s theorem to help, we would be faced with the unenviable task of the following
multiplication:
√ √ √ √ √ √
(−2 3 − 2i)(−2 3 − 2i)(−2 3 − 2i)(−2 3 − 2i)(−2 3 − 2i)....(−2 3 − 2i)
Thankfully, we do not need to do this. To use De Moivre’s theorem, we first need write the expression
in the form r(cos (θ) + i sin (θ)).
q √ p √
• r = (−2 3)2 + (−2)2 = 4(3) + 4 = 16 = 4.
√
   
−1 −2 −1 1 π 7π 7π
• θ = tan √ = tan √ = or . The answer is since −2 3 − 2i is in
−2 3 3 6 6 6
the third quadrant.
Therefore,
√
    
7π 7π
−2 3 − 2i = 4 cos + i sin
6 6
Now we can apply De Moivre’s theorem!
 12
√
   
12 7π 7π
(−2 3 − 2i) = 4 cos + i sin
6 6
    
12 7π 7π
=4 cos 12 · + i sin 12 ·
6 6
12
= 4 (cos (14π) + i sin (14π))
= 412 (cos (0) + i sin (0))
= 412 (1 + 0i)
= 412

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 De Moivre’s theorem can also be used to find roots of complex numbers!

Example. Find all solutions to the equation

√
4 1 3
z =− −i
2 2
Solution:

√ !2 r
v
u 2
u 1 3 1 3 √
• r=t − + − = + = 1 = 1.
2 2 4 4
√ !
√  π √
−1− 23 −1 4π 4π 1 3
• θ = tan 1 = tan 3 = or . The answer is since − − i is in the
−2 3 3 3 2 2
third quadrant. Therefore,
√     
1 3 4π 4π
− −i = 1 cos + i sin
2 2 3 3
Let z = r(cos θ + i sin θ).
   
4 4 4π 4π
Set z = r (cos (4θ) + i sin (4θ)) = 1 cos + i sin .
3 3

=⇒ r = 1,
4π
4θ = + 2πk
3
π πk
=⇒ θ = +
3 2
For k = 1, 2, 3, 4,
π  π  √
1 3
z0 = cos + i sin = +i
3 3 2 √2
   
5π 5π 3 1
z1 = cos + i sin =− +i
6 6 2 2
    √
4π 4π 1 3
z2 = cos + i sin =− −i
3 3 2 2
    √
11π 11π 3 1
z3 = cos + i sin = −i
6 6 2 2

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 Finally, let’s see how De Moivre’s theorem can be used in proving a trig identity.

Example. Use De Moivre’s theorem to prove

cos 3θ = cos3 θ − 3 cos θ sin2 θ.

Solution:

By De Moivre’s theorem,

(cos (θ) + i sin (θ))3 = cos (3θ) + i sin (3θ) (1)

Let’s briefly focus on the left side of the above equation. Multiplying everything out (or using the
binomial theorem if you know it),

(cos (θ) + i sin (θ))3 = cos3 (θ) + 3i cos2 (θ) sin (θ) + 3i2 cos (θ) sin2 (θ) + i3 sin3 (θ)
= cos3 (θ) + 3i cos2 (θ) sin (θ) − 3 cos (θ) sin2 (θ) − i sin3 (θ)
= (cos3 (θ) − 3 cos (θ) sin2 (θ)) + i(3 cos2 (θ) sin (θ) − sin3 (θ))

Subbing this back into (1),

(cos3 (θ) − 3 cos (θ) sin2 (θ)) + i(3 cos2 (θ) sin (θ) − sin3 (θ)) = cos (3θ) + i sin (3θ)

Now, if we equate the real part on the left side of the equation with the real part on the right, we
get the result:
cos (3θ) = cos3 (θ) − 3 cos (θ) sin2 (θ)

Exercises
1. Calculate (−4 + 4i)4 .

2. Find all solutions of the equation z 5 = −1.

3. Using De Moivre’s theorem, show that

cos(2θ) = cos2 (θ) − sin2 (θ).