+0  
 
+1
844
5
avatar+78 

Simplify\(i^1+i^2+i^3+\cdots+ i^{97} + i^{98}+i^{99}\)

 

Need help ASAP on this! Due soon, and I couldn't get the answerfrown...... Can anybody crack the code? laugh

Thanks to everyone who tries! I'll give out likes to the person who can finish it first!!! angel

 Dec 15, 2018
 #1
avatar+128475 
+4

Note that   

 

i^1 + i^2 + i^3 + i^4   =

i - 1 - i + 1   =  0

 

And  each of the 4   successive  terms have the same pattern and  will also sum to 0

 

So......  i^1 to i^96 inclusive will have a sum of 0 

 

So

 

i^97 = i

i^98 = -1

i^99 = - i

 

So...the sum  is just  -1

 

 

cool cool cool

 Dec 15, 2018
 #2
avatar+773 
+1

Note: i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, i^3 = -i, and i^4 = 1.

 

Different powers of i still have the same properties. You can divide the power by 4 and determine the remainder to see if it equals i^1. i^2, i^3, or i^4.

 

As you can see, i - 1 -i + 1 cancel out each other, equalling 0. The last three terms of your sequence are i^97, i^98, and i^99, which are the same as i^1, i^2, and i^3. i - 1 -i = -1, so the answer is \(\boxed{-1}\)

 

Hope this helps, (CPhill will give a more vivid answer)

 

- PM

 Dec 15, 2018
edited by PartialMathematician  Dec 15, 2018
 #3
avatar+128475 
+1

Nope, PM....your method is just as good   (and maybe better) than mine...!!!

 

 

cool cool cool

CPhill  Dec 15, 2018
 #4
avatar+773 
0

Thanks, CPhill, both of our answers used the same steps. They were both really good!

PartialMathematician  Dec 15, 2018
 #5
avatar+78 
+2

Thank you both! Your answers were both REALLY good! I hit the like button for both of you, and I wouldn't have been able to solve it! Thanks! laugh

 Dec 15, 2018

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