How do you simplify i279?

1 Answer
Jan 14, 2016

An easy trick is to simply divide 279 by 4 and use the remainder to find your answer ...

Explanation:

Exponential powers of imaginary number i cycle through only 4 possible results :

i1=i
i2=1
i3=i
i4=1

i5=i, etc...

Now, divide the exponent by 4 and find the remainder .

For example, i6: 64=1 Remainder 2
Next, simply look up the value of i2 which is 1
So, i6=1

i279:2794=69 with a Remainder=3

i279=i3=i

hope that helped