Maths Olympiad Prep

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, 2015

Algebra Difficulty 4.9 AIME Prove it United States

Problem:
Find the smallest positive integer nn such that there exists a complex number zz, with positive real and imaginary part, satisfying zn=(zˉ)nz^{n} = (\bar{z})^{n}.

Solution

Solution:
Since z=zˉ|z| = |\bar{z}| we may divide by z|z| and assume that z=1|z| = 1. Then zˉ=1z\bar{z} = \frac{1}{z}, so we are looking for the smallest positive integer nn such that there is a 2nth2n^{\text{th}} root of unity in the first quadrant. Clearly there is a sixth root of unity in the first quadrant but no fourth or second roots of unity, so n=3n = 3 is the smallest.

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