Solution
Related Formula
Since α is a root of x² - x + 2 = 0, it must satisfy the equation exactly:
α² - α + 2 = 0 ⇒ α² = α - 2This is an essential root reduction property allowing polynomials of high degrees to be collapsed linearly.
Core Logic
We need to evaluate the expression E = α⁶ + α⁴ + β⁴ - 5α². Use the substitution α² = α - 2 to iteratively depress the powers of α.
α⁴ = (α²)² = (α - 2)² = α² - 4α + 4Substitute α² = α - 2 again into the result:
α⁴ = (α - 2) - 4α + 4 = -3α + 2Now, generate α⁶ using α⁴:
α⁶ = α⁴ · α² = (-3α + 2)(α - 2) = -3α² + 6α + 2α - 4 = -3α² + 8α - 4Substitute α² = α - 2 into the result again:
α⁶ = -3(α - 2) + 8α - 4 = -3α + 6 + 8α - 4 = 5α + 2Step 1: Simplify the Full Expression
The symmetry of the roots dictates that β⁴ behaves identically to α⁴. Thus:
β⁴ = -3β + 2Substitute all depressed linear forms back into E = α⁶ + α⁴ + β⁴ - 5α²:
E = (5α + 2) + (-3α + 2) + (-3β + 2) - 5(α - 2) E = 5α - 3α - 5α - 3β + 2 + 2 + 2 + 10 E = -3α - 3β + 16 E = -3(α + β) + 16Step 2: Apply Sum of Roots
From the original quadratic equation x² - x + 2 = 0, the sum of roots is:
α + β = -(-1)/(1) = 1Substitute this back:
E = -3(1) + 16 = 13(Note: The condition Im(α) gt Im(β) was a distractor since the expression simplified perfectly symmetrically into α + β without needing the individual complex values of the roots).
Pattern Recognition
Never compute De Moivre polar forms for high root powers unless the quadratic has roots like ω or i. Always use the characteristic quadratic relation α² = pα + q to rapidly step down degrees until everything is strictly linear.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations