Chapter 29: Problem 6
Es sei \(\zeta \neq 1\) eine \(n\)-te Einheitswurzel. Man zeige \(1+\zeta+\cdots+\zeta^{n-1}=0\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sum \(1+\zeta+\cdots+\zeta^{n-1}=0\) using the properties of a geometric series and \(\zeta^n=1\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand what is given
We are given that \(\zeta\) is an \(n\)-th root of unity but \(\zeta eq 1\). An \(n\)-th root of unity satisfies \(\zeta^n = 1\). We want to show that the sum of the first \(n\) powers of \(\zeta\), namely \(1 + \zeta + \zeta^2 + \ldots + \zeta^{n-1}\), is equal to 0.
02
Identify the sum formula
Recognize the sum \(1 + \zeta + \zeta^2 + \ldots + \zeta^{n-1}\) as a geometric series where the first term \(a = 1\) and the common ratio \(r = \zeta\). The number of terms in this series is \(n\).
03
Apply the geometric series sum formula
Apply the formula for the sum of a geometric series: \(S_n = a \frac{r^n - 1}{r - 1}\). Substituting \(a = 1\), \(r = \zeta\), and \(n\) as the number of terms, we get:\[S = \frac{\zeta^n - 1}{\zeta - 1}\]
04
Substitute \(\zeta^n = 1\)
Since \(\zeta\) is an \(n\)-th root of unity, we know that \(\zeta^n = 1\). Substitute this into the sum formula:\[S = \frac{1 - 1}{\zeta - 1} = \frac{0}{\zeta - 1} = 0\]
05
Conclusion
The calculation shows that the geometric series \(1 + \zeta + \zeta^2 + \ldots + \zeta^{n-1}\) sums to 0. Thus, it is confirmed that if \(\zeta\) is an \(n\)-th root of unity and \(\zeta eq 1\), then \(1 + \zeta + \zeta^2 + \ldots + \zeta^{n-1} = 0\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Series
A geometric series is a sequence of numbers where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio. This series has the form:
- First term: \(a\)
- Common ratio: \(r\)
- Number of terms: \(n\)
- \(a\) is the first term
- \(r\) is the common ratio
- \(n\) is the number of terms
- The first term \(a = 1\)
- The common ratio \(r = \zeta\)
- The number of terms \(n\)
Sum of Roots of Unity
Roots of unity are complex numbers that satisfy the equation \(z^n = 1\). The \(n\)-th roots of unity are the solutions to this equation. They are evenly spaced around the unit circle in the complex plane. These roots can be expressed in the form:\[ \zeta_k = e^{2\pi i k / n} \quad \text{for} \; k=0, 1, 2, \ldots, n-1 \]One specific property of these roots is that their sum is always zero. This can be analyzed through a geometric series:
- If \(\zeta\) is an \(n\)-th root of unity, the series \(1 + \zeta + \zeta^2 + \ldots + \zeta^{n-1}\) indeed forms a complete cycle around the circle
- This means adding all terms in the series results in a perfect balance, summing to zero
Complex Numbers
Complex numbers extend our traditional understanding of numbers, including real numbers and imaginary numbers. They have the form: \(z = a + bi\), where:
- \(a\) is the real part
- \(b\) is the imaginary part
- \(i\) is the imaginary unit, satisfying \(i^2 = -1\)
- The unit circle is defined in the complex plane, centered at the origin with a radius of 1
- It beautifully illustrates how these roots are spaced out evenly, providing a clear visual for reasoning about the sum of roots