Trigonometry and Complex Numbers

Jubayer Nirjhor

July 2014

1 Introduction
This document is a short introduction to the relation between complex numbers and trigonometry,
and shows how to approach trigonometrical problems using complex numbers. This is not com-
pletely complete, maybe I’ll add something else later. The targets of this document are beginner
Olympiad problem solvers who have begun studying complex numbers. It is assumed that the
reader has the basic knowledge of trigonometry (definitions, periods, addition formulas and related
identities).

2 Basic Facts
We define the complex numbers C as
C = a + bi | (a, b) ∈ R2 , i2 = −1.


In a complex number z = a + bi, a is called the real part and written Re z = a, while b is called
the imaginary part and written Im z = b. One good thing about dealing with complex numbers in
equations is that one can equate the real and imaginary parts. For some real parameters A, B, C, D
we have
A + Bi = C + Di ⇔ A = C, B = D.
Another helpful thing is the linearity of the Re or Im
X X X X
Re = Re , Im = Im.

3 Euler’s Formula
The following formula was given by Leonhard Euler and is a very useful one relating complex
numbers and trigonometry. For any complex x we have
1 n
   
ix
e = cos x + i sin x, e = lim 1 + ≈ 2.7183.
n→∞ n
There are many ways to prove this. One outline is included here: first, rewrite the equation as
cos x + i sin x
= 1,
eix
consider the function y = e−ix (cos x + i sin x) and differentiate it to get 0. So the function must be
constant. Substitute x = 0 to get y = 1, hence y = 1 for all x. Note that setting x = π we get a
beautiful identity eiπ + 1 = 0.

1
4 De Moivre’s Formula
De Moivre’s Formula helps ease out computations a lot. It states that for any complex x and
integer n
(cos x + i sin x)n = cos nx + i sin nx.
The proof is one liner if we apply Euler’s formula twice

n
(cos x + i sin x)n = eix = ei(nx) = cos nx + i sin nx.

Notice that if z = eix = cos x + i sin x is a complex number, then Re z = cos x and Im z = sin x.

5 Complex Approaches to Trig Problems!

Example 1. Derive the addition formulas of sine and cosine.

Solution. Just notice that by applications of Euler’s formula

cos(x + y) + i sin(x + y) = ei(x+y)

= eix · eiy
= (cos x + i sin x)(cos y + i sin y)
= (cos x cos y − sin x sin y) + i(sin x cos y + cos x sin y)

Now equating real and imaginary part of both sides, we have

cos(x + y) = cos x cos y − sin x sin y

sin(x + y) = sin x cos y + cos x sin y

deriving the formulas. 

Example 2. Prove that

n−1
X 2kπ
cos =0 ∀ n ∈ N − {1}.
n
k=0
2π 2π
Solution. Let z = e2πi/n = cos + i sin . Then z n = e2πi = 1 =⇒ z n − 1 = 0. Since z 6= 1
n n
n−1
X n−1
X n−1
X
z n − 1 = (z − 1) z k = 0 =⇒ z k = 0 =⇒ Re z k = 0.
k=0 k=0 k=0

Now by application of De Moivre’s theorem

2π k
 
k 2π 2kπ 2kπ 2kπ
z = cos + i sin = cos + i sin =⇒ Re z k = cos .
n n n n n
Therefore by linearity of Re we finally have
n−1 n−1 n−1
X X X 2kπ
0 = Re zk = Re z k = cos .
n
k=0 k=0 k=0

2
Example 3. Show the following (take it granted that the sum converges absolutely)
∞
X cos nθ 4 − 2 cos θ
= .
2n 5 − 4 cos θ
n=0

Solution. Consider einθ = cos nθ + i sin nθ, so that Re einθ = cos nθ. Hence by linearity of Re
∞ ∞ ∞  iθ n
X cos nθ X Re einθ X e
= = Re
2n 2 n 2
n=0 n=0 n=0

which is an infinite geometric series sum. Evaluating we have

∞ ∞  iθ n
X cos nθ X e 1 2
= Re = Re = Re .
2n 2 iθ
1 − e /2 2 − eiθ
n=0 n=0

Finally use the identity Re z = (z + z)/2, replace eiθ using Euler’s formula and simplify to get
∞  
X cos nθ 2 1 2 2 4 − 2 cos θ
= Re = + =
2n 2−e iθ 2 2−e iθ 2 − e−iθ 5 − 4 cos θ
n=0

as desired. 

6 Problems to Try
Problem 1. (IMO 1963/5) Show that
π 2π 3π 1
cos − cos + cos = .
7 7 7 2

Problem 2. (Proofathon) Show that for all odd k ≥ 3

π 3π (k − 2)π 1
cos + cos + · · · + cos = .
k k k 2
(Can you see how this is a generalization to Problem 1?)

Problem 3. Show the following (take it granted that the sum is absolutely convergent)
∞
X cos2 nθ 7 − 5 cos 2θ
= .
2n 5 − 4 cos 2θ
n=0

(You may use the result proven in Example 3.)