Prove

Let x1,x2,x3...xn be roots of equation xn+xn-1+.....+x+1=0
Compute the expression \frac{1}{x_1 -1}+\frac{1}{x_2 -1}+\frac{1}{x_3 -1}...+\frac{1}{x_n -1}

Hence prove that \sum_{r=1}^{n}{cot \frac {r\pi}{n+1}}

5 Answers

62
Lokesh Verma ·

from the symmetry of the coefficients, you can say that if xi is a root then 1/xi is also a root

the expression given by you is hence equal to \frac{1}{x_1 -1}+\frac{1}{x_2 -1}+\frac{1}{x_3 -1}...+\frac{1}{x_n -1}=\frac{x_1}{1-x_1}+\frac{x_2}{1-x_2}+\frac{x_3}{1-x_3}...+\frac{x_n}{1-x_n}

Hence you can say that \\2S=\frac{1}{x_1 -1}+\frac{1}{x_2 -1}+\frac{1}{x_3 -1}...+\frac{1}{x_n -1}+\frac{x_1}{1-x_1}+\frac{x_2}{1-x_2}+\frac{x_3}{1-x_3}...+\frac{x_n}{1-x_n} \\2S=\frac{1-x_1}{x_1 -1}+\frac{1-x_2}{x_2 -1}+...+\frac{1-x_n}{x_n-1}=-n \\\\S=-n/2

Have to still see the relevance of the second part to your question !!

62
Lokesh Verma ·

what is there to prove?

3
iitimcomin ·

im gettin the second exp to be zero ...[dat cot thing] can u confirm sir?????

341
Hari Shankar ·

Nishant Sir's method is beautiful. But, another way to arrive at this answer may prove useful.

If x1, x2,..., xn are the n roots of P(x) = 0, then

\frac{P'(x)}{P(x)} = \frac{1}{x-x_1} + \frac{1}{x-x_2} + ...+ \frac{1}{x-x_n}

Here by putting x =1, we obtain \frac{1}{1-x_1} + ...+\frac{1}{1-x_n} = \frac{P'(1)}{P(1)} = \frac{n(n+1)}{2(n+1)} = \frac{n}{2}

Now, we must remember that the xi are nothing but the complex roots of zn+1=1, which are given by z_k = \cos \frac{2k \pi}{n+1} + i \sin \frac{2k \pi}{n+1}; 1 \le k \le n

Substituting and simplifying we get LHS = \frac{n}{2} - i \sum_{k=1}^{n} \cot \frac{k \pi}{n+1} which immediately leads to \sum_{k=1}^{n} \cot \frac{k \pi}{n+1}=0

62
Lokesh Verma ·

A slight comment on what prophet sir has done for basic users...

How to see that the expression given is actually f'(x)/f(x)

see the expression here is the derivative of Σln(xi-x)

Hence the derivative if ln(f(x)

hence f'(x)/f(x)

I know that for some of you this might be very obvious.. but for the others keep this in mind too :)

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