Different approaches solving $z^{2n} = \bar{z}$

complex numbers

So I go this formula: $ z^{2n} = \bar{z} $, of course $z \in \mathbb{C}$.

Me and a couple of friends tried solving for $z$, but came with different solutions, and we can't figure out exactly who's right and why.

Approach one

Using trigonometric notation:

$$\DeclareMathOperator{\cis}{cis}
(r\cis(\theta) )^{2n} = r\cis(-\theta)
$$

And using De-Moivre:
$$r\cis(\theta) = \sqrt[2n]{r\cis(-\theta)} = r^{1\over2n}\cis({2\pi k -\theta\over2n}), k=0,\dots,2n-1$$

Second approach

Multiply by z:
$$z^{2n+1} = |z|^2$$

When $|z|^2=r^2$ in the trig notation

$$z= \sqrt[2n]{r^2}=\sqrt[2n]{r^2\cis(0)}=r^{2\over2n+1}\cis({2\pi k \over2n+1}), k=0,\dots,2n$$

And of course also 0 is a solution.
Second method gives you one more solution, and none of those look the same.

Best Answer

Let me offer you a third approach to compare to.

$z^{2n}=r^{2n}e^{2ni\theta}=re^{-i\theta}$

And so $r=1$ clearly. Now solve for values of $\theta$. i.e. $$e^{(2n+1)i\theta}=1$$

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