2017 AMC 12B Problem 12

Attempt Problem 12 of the 2017 AMC 12B below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2017 AMC 12B solutions, or check the answer key.

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12.

What is the sum of the roots of z12=64z^{12} = 64 that have a positive real part?

22

44

2+232 + 2\sqrt{3}

22+62\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{6}

(1+3)+(1+3)i(1 + \sqrt{3}) + (1 + \sqrt{3})i

Answer: D
Concepts:roots of unitycomplex numbersymmetry
Difficulty rating: 1630
Solution:

The roots of z12=64z^{12} = 64 lie on the circle of radius 641/12=2,64^{1/12} = \sqrt{2}, at angles that are multiples of 30.30^\circ. Those with positive real part are at angles 0,±30,±60.0, \pm 30^\circ, \pm 60^\circ. Their imaginary parts cancel, so the sum is 2+22cos30+22cos60=2(1+3+1)=22+6. \begin{aligned} &\sqrt{2} + 2\sqrt{2}\cos 30^\circ \\ &\quad {}+ 2\sqrt{2}\cos 60^\circ \\ &\quad {}= \sqrt{2}\bigl(1 + \sqrt{3} + 1\bigr) \\ &\quad {}= 2\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{6}. \end{aligned}

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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