How do we use De Moivre's Thereom to simplify (2-2i)^8?

1 Answer
May 11, 2017

DeMoivre Theorem states that (a+bi)^n=(r(costheta+isintheta))^n=r^n(cos(ntheta)+isin(ntheta))
Answer: 4096

Explanation:

DeMoivre's Theorem allows us to compute the powers and roots of complex trigonometric expressions:
(a+bi)^n=(r(costheta+isintheta))^n=r^n(cos(ntheta)+isin(ntheta))

Original question: Use DeMoivre's Thereom to simplify (2-2i)^8

(2-2i)^8

We can factor out a 2 inside the base of the power:
=(2(1-i))^8

Now, we convert 1-i to trigonometric form:

Note: 1-i=sqrt(2)(cos(pi/4)+isin(-pi/4))

So:
=(2sqrt(2)(cos(pi/4)+isin(-pi/4))^8

Now we can apply DeMoivre's Theorem:
=(2sqrt(2))^8(cos(-8(pi/4))+isin(-8(pi/4)))
which we can simplify:
=4096(cos(-2pi)-isin(-2pi))
=4096(1-i(0))
=4096

Therefore, our final answer is 4096.