The Powers of i
When working with complex numbers, understanding the pattern of i raised to different powers is super helpful. The pattern cycles every four powers!
When i is squared (i²), we get -1, because i × i = √-1 × √-1 = -1. This is the foundation for all other powers. For i³, we multiply i² × i, getting -1 × i = -i. Then i⁴ = i² × i² = (-1)(-1) = 1.
The pattern continues: i⁵ = i, i⁶ = -1, i⁷ = -i, i⁸ = 1, and so on. This creates a repeating cycle of four values: i, -1, -i, 1.
Remember This: The powers of i follow a simple pattern: i, -1, -i, 1. If you need to find a higher power, divide the exponent by 4 and look at the remainder!