[Math] primitive n-th roots of unity

complex numbers

Show that the primitive n-th roots of unity have the form $e^{2ki\pi/n}$ for $k,n$ coprime for $0\leq k\leq n$.

Since all primitive n-th roots of unity are n-th roots of unity by definition they all have that form, the question is, how to show $k$ and $n$ are coprime.

Best Answer

Primitivity means that no positive power of $\zeta=e^{2\pi i k/n}$ less than $n$ will achieve unity. If $k$ is not coprime to $n$ and $\gcd(k,n)=m$, then observe $\zeta^{(n/m)}=e^{2\pi i (k/m)}=1$ but $n/m<n$ if $m>1$.

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