How do you simplify #i^247#?

1 Answer
Jan 19, 2016

A great trick to solving this type of problem is understanding that there are only 4 possible solution ...

Explanation:

Raising the imaginary number #i# to a power can only result in 4 possible solutions :

#i^0=1#
#i^1=i#
#i^2=-1#
#i^3=-i#

Here's the trick ... divide the exponent by the number 4 and calculate the remainder. Then, use the remainder as the new exponent .

In this example, #247/4=61 " with remainder " 3#

Answer: #i^247=i^3=-i#

hope that helped