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Ch. 1 - Equations and Inequalities
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 55a

Write each power of i as i, - 1, - i, or 1.
i44

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1
Step 1: Recall the powers of i follow a repeating cycle of 4: i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, i^3 = -i, and i^4 = 1. This cycle repeats for higher powers of i.
Step 2: To determine the value of i^44, divide the exponent (44) by 4 to find the remainder. This will help identify where in the cycle the power falls.
Step 3: Perform the division: 44 ÷ 4 = 11 with a remainder of 0. The remainder determines the position in the cycle.
Step 4: Since the remainder is 0, i^44 corresponds to i^4 in the cycle. From the cycle, we know that i^4 = 1.
Step 5: Conclude that i^44 simplifies to 1 based on the repeating cycle of powers of i.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Powers of i

The imaginary unit i is defined as the square root of -1. Its powers cycle through four distinct values: i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, i^3 = -i, and i^4 = 1. This cyclical pattern repeats every four powers, which is crucial for simplifying higher powers of i.
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Powers of i

Modulus Operation

To simplify powers of i, we can use the modulus operation with respect to 4, since the powers of i repeat every four terms. For example, to find i^44, we calculate 44 mod 4, which equals 0. This indicates that i^44 corresponds to i^0, which is equal to 1.
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Complex Numbers

Complex numbers are numbers that have a real part and an imaginary part, expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers. Understanding complex numbers is essential for working with i, as it allows for the manipulation and interpretation of expressions involving imaginary units in various mathematical contexts.
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