{
  "index": "1973-B-2",
  "type": "COMB",
  "tag": [
    "COMB",
    "ALG",
    "NT"
  ],
  "difficulty": "",
  "question": "B-2. Let \\( z=x+i y \\) be a complex number with \\( x \\) and \\( y \\) rational and with \\( |z|=1 \\). Show that the number \\( \\left|z^{2 n}-1\\right| \\) is rational for every integer \\( n \\).",
  "solution": "B-2. Let \\( z=e^{\\theta_{l}} \\) and \\( z^{n}=w=u+i v \\) (with \\( u \\) and \\( v \\) real). Then \\( \\left|z^{2 n}-1\\right| \\) \\( =\\left|w^{2}-1\\right|=\\left[\\left(u^{2}-v^{2}-1\\right)^{2}+(2 u v)^{2}\\right]^{1 / 2}=2|v| \\), using \\( u^{2}+v^{2}=1 \\). \\( \\left[\\left|z^{2 n}-1\\right|\\right. \\) \\( =2|\\sin n \\theta| \\) is also easily shown geometrically using an isosceles triangle.] Hence it suffices to show that \\( v=\\sin n \\theta \\) is rational when \\( x=\\cos \\theta \\) and \\( y=\\sin \\theta \\) are rational. For \\( n \\geqq 0 \\), this follows from \\( (x+i y)^{n}=u+i v \\) or by mathematical induction using the addition formulas for the sine and cosine. Then the case \\( n<0 \\) follows using \\( \\sin (-\\alpha)=\\sin \\alpha \\).",
  "vars": [
    "z",
    "x",
    "y",
    "n",
    "w",
    "u",
    "v"
  ],
  "params": [
    "\\\\theta_l",
    "\\\\theta",
    "\\\\alpha"
  ],
  "sci_consts": [
    "e",
    "i"
  ],
  "variants": {
    "descriptive_long": {
      "map": {
        "z": "complxvar",
        "x": "realpar",
        "y": "imagpar",
        "n": "indexint",
        "w": "powervar",
        "u": "cosvalue",
        "v": "sinvalue",
        "\\theta_{l}": "subangle",
        "\\theta": "basangle",
        "\\alpha": "anglevar"
      },
      "question": "B-2. Let \\( complxvar = realpar + i imagpar \\) be a complex number with \\( realpar \\) and \\( imagpar \\) rational and with \\( |complxvar|=1 \\). Show that the number \\( \\left|complxvar^{2 indexint}-1\\right| \\) is rational for every integer \\( indexint \\).",
      "solution": "B-2. Let \\( complxvar = e^{subangle} \\) and \\( complxvar^{indexint} = powervar = cosvalue + i sinvalue \\) (with \\( cosvalue \\) and \\( sinvalue \\) real). Then \\( \\left|complxvar^{2 indexint}-1\\right| = \\left|powervar^{2}-1\\right| = \\left[\\left(cosvalue^{2}-sinvalue^{2}-1\\right)^{2}+(2 cosvalue sinvalue)^{2}\\right]^{1 / 2} = 2|sinvalue| \\), using \\( cosvalue^{2}+sinvalue^{2}=1 \\). [\\( \\left|complxvar^{2 indexint}-1\\right| = 2|\\sin indexint basangle| \\) is also easily shown geometrically using an isosceles triangle.] Hence it suffices to show that \\( sinvalue = \\sin indexint basangle \\) is rational when \\( realpar = \\cos basangle \\) and \\( imagpar = \\sin basangle \\) are rational. For \\( indexint \\geqq 0 \\), this follows from \\( (realpar + i imagpar)^{indexint} = cosvalue + i sinvalue \\) or by mathematical induction using the addition formulas for the sine and cosine. Then the case \\( indexint<0 \\) follows using \\( \\sin (-anglevar)=\\sin anglevar \\)."
    },
    "descriptive_long_confusing": {
      "map": {
        "z": "lanternfly",
        "x": "greenstone",
        "y": "moondust",
        "n": "copperleaf",
        "w": "strayhound",
        "u": "riverwind",
        "v": "nightshade",
        "\\theta_l": "\\hightower",
        "\\theta": "\\labyrinth",
        "\\alpha": "\\starflower"
      },
      "question": "B-2. Let \\( lanternfly=greenstone+i moondust \\) be a complex number with \\( greenstone \\) and \\( moondust \\) rational and with \\(|lanternfly|=1\\). Show that the number \\( \\left|lanternfly^{2 copperleaf}-1\\right| \\) is rational for every integer \\( copperleaf \\).",
      "solution": "B-2. Let \\( lanternfly=e^{\\hightower} \\) and \\( lanternfly^{copperleaf}=strayhound=riverwind+i nightshade \\) (with \\( riverwind \\) and \\( nightshade \\) real). Then \\( \\left|lanternfly^{2 copperleaf}-1\\right|=\\left|strayhound^{2}-1\\right|=\\left[\\left(riverwind^{2}-nightshade^{2}-1\\right)^{2}+(2 riverwind\\, nightshade)^{2}\\right]^{1 / 2}=2|nightshade| \\), using \\( riverwind^{2}+nightshade^{2}=1 \\). [\\(\\left|lanternfly^{2 copperleaf}-1\\right|=2|\\sin copperleaf\\,\\labyrinth|\\) is also easily shown geometrically using an isosceles triangle.] Hence it suffices to show that \\( nightshade=\\sin copperleaf\\,\\labyrinth \\) is rational when \\( greenstone=\\cos \\labyrinth \\) and \\( moondust=\\sin \\labyrinth \\) are rational. For \\( copperleaf \\geqq 0 \\), this follows from \\( (greenstone+i moondust)^{copperleaf}=riverwind+i nightshade \\) or by mathematical induction using the addition formulas for the sine and cosine. Then the case \\( copperleaf<0 \\) follows using \\( \\sin (-\\starflower)=\\sin \\starflower \\)."
    },
    "descriptive_long_misleading": {
      "map": {
        "z": "realnumber",
        "x": "irrational",
        "y": "notrational",
        "n": "fractional",
        "w": "singular",
        "u": "imaginary",
        "v": "realpart",
        "\\theta_l": "straightline",
        "\\theta": "zeroangle",
        "\\alpha": "flatturn"
      },
      "question": "B-2. Let \\( realnumber=irrational+i notrational \\) be a complex number with \\( irrational \\) and \\( notrational \\) rational and with \\( |realnumber|=1 \\). Show that the number \\( \\left|realnumber^{2 fractional}-1\\right| \\) is rational for every integer \\( fractional \\).",
      "solution": "B-2. Let \\( realnumber=e^{straightline} \\) and \\( realnumber^{fractional}=singular=imaginary+i realpart \\) (with \\( imaginary \\) and \\( realpart \\) real). Then \\( \\left|realnumber^{2 fractional}-1\\right| =\\left|singular^{2}-1\\right|=\\left[\\left(imaginary^{2}-realpart^{2}-1\\right)^{2}+(2 imaginary realpart)^{2}\\right]^{1 / 2}=2|realpart| \\), using \\( imaginary^{2}+realpart^{2}=1 \\). \\( \\left[\\left|realnumber^{2 fractional}-1\\right|\\right. =2|\\sin fractional zeroangle| \\) is also easily shown geometrically using an isosceles triangle.] Hence it suffices to show that \\( realpart=\\sin fractional zeroangle \\) is rational when \\( irrational=\\cos zeroangle \\) and \\( notrational=\\sin zeroangle \\) are rational. For \\( fractional \\geqq 0 \\), this follows from \\( (irrational+i notrational)^{fractional}=imaginary+i realpart \\) or by mathematical induction using the addition formulas for the sine and cosine. Then the case \\( fractional<0 \\) follows using \\( \\sin (-flatturn)=\\sin flatturn \\)."
    },
    "garbled_string": {
      "map": {
        "z": "qzxwvtnp",
        "x": "hjgrksla",
        "y": "mvdlpqke",
        "n": "wjvfzrtc",
        "w": "sdflgnae",
        "u": "xpqvtdne",
        "v": "ksgjdofi",
        "\\\\theta_l": "rjvrkqle",
        "\\\\theta": "chmsqzpt",
        "\\\\alpha": "vxglndro"
      },
      "question": "B-2. Let \\( qzxwvtnp=hjgrksla+i mvdlpqke \\) be a complex number with \\( hjgrksla \\) and \\( mvdlpqke \\) rational and with \\( |qzxwvtnp|=1 \\). Show that the number \\( \\left|qzxwvtnp^{2 wjvfzrtc}-1\\right| \\) is rational for every integer \\( wjvfzrtc \\).",
      "solution": "B-2. Let \\( qzxwvtnp=e^{rjvrkqle} \\) and \\( qzxwvtnp^{wjvfzrtc}=sdflgnae=xpqvtdne+i ksgjdofi \\) (with \\( xpqvtdne \\) and \\( ksgjdofi \\) real). Then \\( \\left|qzxwvtnp^{2 wjvfzrtc}-1\\right| \\)\n\\( =\\left|sdflgnae^{2}-1\\right|=\\left[\\left(xpqvtdne^{2}-ksgjdofi^{2}-1\\right)^{2}+(2 xpqvtdne ksgjdofi)^{2}\\right]^{1 / 2}=2|ksgjdofi| \\), using \\( xpqvtdne^{2}+ksgjdofi^{2}=1 \\). \\( \\left[\\left|qzxwvtnp^{2 wjvfzrtc}-1\\right|\\right. \\)\n\\( =2|\\sin wjvfzrtc chmsqzpt| \\) is also easily shown geometrically using an isosceles triangle.] Hence it suffices to show that \\( ksgjdofi=\\sin wjvfzrtc chmsqzpt \\) is rational when \\( hjgrksla=\\cos chmsqzpt \\) and \\( mvdlpqke=\\sin chmsqzpt \\) are rational. For \\( wjvfzrtc \\geqq 0 \\), this follows from \\( (hjgrksla+i mvdlpqke)^{wjvfzrtc}=xpqvtdne+i ksgjdofi \\) or by mathematical induction using the addition formulas for the sine and cosine. Then the case \\( wjvfzrtc<0 \\) follows using \\( \\sin (-vxglndro)=\\sin vxglndro \\)."
    },
    "kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let $F=\\mathbb{Q}(\\sqrt5)$ and expand every element of $\\mathrm{SU}(2)$ in the usual basis  \n\\[\nU=\\begin{pmatrix}\nx+iy & -(u+iv)\\\\[2pt]\nu-iv & x-iy\n\\end{pmatrix},\\qquad(\\star)\n\\]\nwith $x,y,u,v\\in F$.  \nFor each non–negative integer $k$ set  \n\\[\nM_k=U^{6k}-I_2,\n\\qquad\nN_k=\\operatorname{Tr}\\!\\bigl(M_kM_k^{\\dagger}\\bigr).\\tag{$\\ast$}\n\\]\n\n(a)  Prove that $N_k\\in F$ for every $k\\ge0$.\n\n(b)  Show that  \n\\[\nN_k\\,=\\,4\\bigl(1-T_{6k}(x)\\bigr),\\tag{$\\dagger$}\n\\]\nwhere $T_m$ denotes the Chebyshev polynomial of the first kind.\n\n(c)  Put the eigenvalues of $U$ in the form $e^{\\pm i\\theta}$ with $\\theta\\in[0,\\pi]$ (so $x=\\cos\\theta$).\n\n\\quad(i)  Prove that  \n\\[\nN_k=0\\;\\Longleftrightarrow\\;U^{6k}=I_2\\;\\Longleftrightarrow\\;T_{6k}(x)=1 .\n\\]\n\n\\quad(ii)  Show that the following conditions are equivalent:\n\\begin{itemize}\n\\item[(A)]  there exists $k\\ge1$ with $N_k=0$;\n\\item[(B)]  $\\theta/\\pi$ is rational;\n\\item[(C)]  $U$ has finite order in $\\mathrm{SU}(2)$.\n\\end{itemize}\nIf $n$ denotes this finite order, then  \n\\[\nN_k=0\\;\\Longleftrightarrow\\;n\\mid 6k .\n\\]\n\n\\quad(iii)  For the two real embeddings $\\sigma_\\pm:F\\hookrightarrow\\mathbb{R}$ define $\\theta_\\pm\\in[0,\\pi]$ by $\\sigma_\\pm(x)=\\cos\\theta_\\pm$.  Prove that  \n\\[\n\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)=8\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_\\pm)\\quad(\\ge0)\n\\]\nand determine precisely when $\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)=0$.  Deduce that if $U$ has infinite order then for every $k\\ge1$ \\emph{at least one} of $\\sigma_+(N_k),\\sigma_-(N_k)$ is strictly positive; in particular $N_k$ is never totally negative, although it need not be totally positive.\n\n\\quad(iv)  Assume in addition that $x,y,u,v\\in\\mathcal{O}_F$.  Prove that each $N_k$ $(k\\ge1)$ is an algebraic integer and  \n\\[\n\\operatorname{N}_{F/\\mathbb{Q}}(N_k)=\\sigma_+(N_k)\\,\\sigma_-(N_k)\n      =64\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_+)\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_-)\\in\\mathbb{Z}_{\\ge0}.\n\\]\nFinally, show that \\emph{no} matrix $U$ of infinite order can satisfy\n\\[\n\\sigma_\\varepsilon(N_k)=0\\quad\\text{for infinitely many }k\\ge1\n\\]\nfor either embedding $\\varepsilon\\in\\{+,-\\}$.  (Equivalently, $N_k$ fails to be totally positive for only finitely many $k$ whenever $U$ has infinite order.)\n\n\\bigskip",
      "solution": "\\textbf{Preliminaries: a quaternion model for $\\mathrm{SU}(2)$.}  \nLet $\\mathbb{H}=\\mathbb{R}\\langle1,i,j,k\\mid i^{2}=j^{2}=k^{2}=ijk=-1\\rangle$.  \nThe $\\mathbb{R}$–algebra morphism\n\\[\n\\Psi:\\mathbb{H}\\longrightarrow M_2(\\mathbb{C}),\\qquad\na+bi+cj+dk\\longmapsto\n\\begin{pmatrix}\na+bi & -(c+di)\\\\\nc-di & a-bi\n\\end{pmatrix}\n\\]\nsatisfies $\\det\\Psi(q)=\\lVert q\\rVert^{2}$.  Restricting $\\Psi$ to the unit sphere\n\\[\nS^3=\\{q\\in\\mathbb{H}\\mid\\lVert q\\rVert=1\\}\n\\]\ngives the standard isomorphism\n\\[\n\\Psi:S^3\\xrightarrow{\\;\\sim\\;}\\mathrm{SU}(2).\\tag{1}\n\\]\n\n\\textbf{Step 1.  The quaternion attached to $U$.}  \nDefine\n\\[\nq:=x+yi+uj+vk\\in\\mathbb{H}.\\tag{2}\n\\]\nBecause $U$ is unitary, $UU^{\\dagger}=I_2$, hence $\\lVert q\\rVert=1$ by (1); write its polar form\n\\[\nq=\\cos\\theta+\\sin\\theta\\,n,\\qquad0\\le\\theta\\le\\pi,\\tag{3}\n\\]\nwith $n$ a purely imaginary unit quaternion, $\\lVert n\\rVert=1$.  Then\n\\[\n\\operatorname{Tr}U=\\operatorname{Tr}\\Psi(q)=2\\cos\\theta,\\quad\\text{i.e.}\\quad x=\\cos\\theta.\\tag{4}\n\\]\n\n\\textbf{Step 2.  Powers of $U$ and Chebyshev polynomials.}  \nSince $\\Psi$ is a homomorphism,\n\\[\nU^{m}=\\Psi(q^{m})\\quad(m\\in\\mathbb{Z}).\\tag{5}\n\\]\nFor any $r\\in\\mathbb{H}$ one has $\\operatorname{Tr}\\Psi(r)=2\\,\\mathrm{Re}(r)$, hence\n\\[\n\\operatorname{Tr}U^{m}=2\\,\\mathrm{Re}(q^{m})=2\\cos(m\\theta).\\tag{6}\n\\]\nBecause $T_m(\\cos\\theta)=\\cos(m\\theta)$,\n\\[\n\\operatorname{Tr}U^{m}=2T_m(x),\\quad\\text{so in particular}\\quad\n\\operatorname{Tr}U^{6k}=2T_{6k}(x).\\tag{7}\n\\]\n\n\\textbf{Step 3.  Computing $N_k$ (part (b)).}  \nFirst note that $U^{\\dagger}=U^{-1}$, whence\n\\[\nM_kM_k^{\\dagger}=(U^{6k}-I_2)(U^{-6k}-I_2)\n                =2I_2-U^{6k}-U^{-6k}.\\tag{8}\n\\]\nTaking the trace and using (6) with $m=6k$,\n\\[\nN_k=\\operatorname{Tr}(M_kM_k^{\\dagger})\n    =\\operatorname{Tr}(2I_2)-2\\operatorname{Tr}U^{6k}\n    =4-4T_{6k}(x)\n    =4\\bigl(1-T_{6k}(x)\\bigr),\\tag{$\\dagger$}\n\\]\nestablishing part (b).\n\n\\medskip\n\\textbf{Step 4.  Membership in $F$ (part (a)).}  \nAll coefficients of every $T_m$ are integers; hence $T_{6k}(x)\\in F$ and therefore $N_k\\in F$ by ($\\dagger$).\n\n\\textbf{Step 5.  Vanishing of $N_k$ and the order of $U$ (parts (c)(i)\\,--\\,(ii)).}\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{5.1  Formula under the two real embeddings.}  \nLet $\\sigma_\\pm:F\\hookrightarrow\\mathbb{R}$ be the embeddings determined by $\\sigma_\\pm(\\sqrt5)=\\pm\\sqrt5$.  \nSet $U^\\sigma:=\\sigma(U)$; then $U^\\sigma\\in\\mathrm{SU}(2)$ and has eigenvalues $e^{\\pm i\\theta_\\sigma}$ with $\\sigma(x)=\\cos\\theta_\\sigma$.  Applying $\\sigma$ to ($\\dagger$) gives\n\\[\n\\sigma(N_k)=4\\bigl(1-T_{6k}(\\cos\\theta_\\sigma)\\bigr)\n           =4\\bigl(1-\\cos(6k\\theta_\\sigma)\\bigr)\n           =8\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_\\sigma).\\tag{9}\n\\]\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{5.2  Proof of (c)(i).}  \nIf $N_k=0$, then each $\\sigma(N_k)=0$ by (9), so $\\sin(3k\\theta_\\sigma)=0$.  Hence $3k\\theta_\\sigma\\in\\pi\\mathbb{Z}$, and $e^{\\pm i6k\\theta}=1$; therefore $U^{6k}=I_2$.  Conversely, if $U^{6k}=I_2$ then $\\cos(6k\\theta)=1$, i.e.\\ $T_{6k}(x)=1$, so $N_k=0$ by ($\\dagger$).\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{5.3  Proof of (c)(ii).}  \nWrite $\\theta/\\pi=p/q$ with $p,q\\in\\mathbb{Z}$, $q\\ge1$, in lowest terms.  Then $U^{q}$ has eigenvalues $e^{\\pm i\\pi p}=\\pm1$, so the order of $U$ divides $2q$.  Conversely, if $U$ has finite order $n$, its eigenvalues are $n$–th roots of unity, whence $\\theta/\\pi\\in\\mathbb{Q}$.  Equivalence (A)$\\Leftrightarrow$(B)$\\Leftrightarrow$(C) follows from (i).  The final divisibility statement is immediate from (i).\n\n\\textbf{Step 6.  Positivity questions (parts (c)(iii)\\,--\\,(iv)).}\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{6.1  Proof of (c)(iii).}  \nEquation (9) shows $\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)\\ge0$ and\n\\[\n\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)=0\n\\Longleftrightarrow\n\\sin(3k\\theta_\\pm)=0\n\\Longleftrightarrow\n3k\\theta_\\pm\\in\\pi\\mathbb{Z}.\\tag{10}\n\\]\n\nNow assume that $U$ has \\emph{infinite} order, so $\\theta/\\pi$ is irrational by part (c)(ii).  \nIf both $\\theta_+/\\pi$ and $\\theta_-/\\pi$ were rational, then both embeddings would give roots of unity as eigenvalues, forcing $U$ to have finite order—a contradiction.  Hence at least one of the two angles $\\theta_\\pm/\\pi$ is irrational, and for that embedding $\\sin(3k\\theta_\\sigma)\\neq0$ for every $k\\ge1$ by (10).  Consequently at least one of the two conjugates $\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)$ is strictly positive for every $k\\ge1$, proving the claimed statements about (non-)total positivity.\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{6.2  Proof of (c)(iv).}  \nBecause $x,y,u,v\\in\\mathcal{O}_F$, the integer–coefficient polynomial $T_{6k}$ sends $x$ to an algebraic \\emph{integer}; hence $N_k$ is an algebraic integer by ($\\dagger$).  Taking conjugates in (9) yields\n\\[\n\\operatorname{N}_{F/\\mathbb{Q}}(N_k)=\\sigma_+(N_k)\\,\\sigma_-(N_k)\n      =64\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_+)\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_-)\\in\\mathbb{Z}_{\\ge0}.\n\\]\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{6.3  Non–existence of the advertised infinite–order counter–example (corrected argument).}  \n\nAssume $U$ has infinite order and suppose, aiming for a contradiction, that\n\\[\n\\sigma_{-}(N_k)=0\\quad\\text{for infinitely many }k .\n\\]\nBy (10) this forces $3k\\theta_{-}\\in\\pi\\mathbb{Z}$ for infinitely many $k$, hence $\\theta_{-}/\\pi$ is rational.  Let\n\\[\nn:=\\min\\{m\\ge1\\mid m\\theta_{-}/\\pi\\in\\mathbb{Z}\\},\n\\qquad\\text{so}\\quad e^{\\,i n\\theta_{-}}=\\pm1.\n\\]\nThus $\\cos(n\\theta_{-})=\\pm1$ and consequently\n\\[\nT_{n}(x_{-})=\\cos(n\\theta_{-})=\\pm1.\\tag{11}\n\\]\nIf the sign in (11) is $+1$, we already have $T_{n}(x_{-})=1$;  \nif it is $-1$, apply the duplication formula $T_{2n}(t)=2T_n(t)^2-1$ to obtain\n\\[\nT_{2n}(x_{-})=1.\n\\]\nIn either case we have found an \\emph{even} integer $m\\,(=n\\text{ or }2n)$ with\n\\[\nT_{m}(x_{-})=1.\\tag{12}\n\\]\n\nBecause $T_m$ has integer coefficients, (12) is preserved by the non–trivial Galois automorphism of $F/\\mathbb{Q}$; hence\n\\[\nT_{m}(x_{+})=1\\quad\\Longrightarrow\\quad\\cos(m\\theta_{+})=1,\n\\]\nso $m\\theta_{+}\\in2\\pi\\mathbb{Z}$ and therefore $\\theta_{+}/\\pi\\in\\mathbb{Q}$.  But then $\\theta/\\pi$ is rational (it lies between the two conjugates), contradicting the assumption that $U$ has infinite order.  The same argument applies \\emph{mutatis mutandis} if we start with $\\sigma_{+}(N_k)=0$ infinitely often.  Therefore neither embedding can yield $\\sigma_\\varepsilon(N_k)=0$ for infinitely many $k$ when $U$ has infinite order, and $N_k$ fails to be totally positive only finitely often in that case.\n\n\\bigskip",
      "metadata": {
        "replaced_from": "harder_variant",
        "replacement_date": "2025-07-14T19:09:31.609722",
        "was_fixed": false,
        "difficulty_analysis": "1.  Higher-dimensional setting.  \n The original problem dealt with a single complex number; the new\nvariant works in the four-real-dimensional Lie group SU(2), encoded\nin 2×2 matrices whose entries live in the quadratic field F.\n\n2.  Additional algebraic structure.  \n Solving the problem demands familiarity with the isomorphism\nbetween SU(2) and the unit quaternions, as well as with the way\nmatrix powers behave under this identification.\n\n3.  Deeper theoretical tools.  \n The solution uses advanced objects—unit quaternions, Chebyshev\npolynomials, representation theory of SU(2)—and exploits their\ninteraction to translate a matrix-norm question into a trigonometric\nidentity inside an algebraic number field.\n\n4.  Multiple interacting concepts.  \n One must combine linear algebra (matrix norms and traces), Lie\ngroup theory (SU(2)), algebraic number theory (fields, total\npositivity), and classical analysis (trigonometric/ Chebyshev\nrelations).  No single elementary trick suffices.\n\n5.  More steps and subtler insights.  \n The chain “matrix → quaternion → polar form → trace → Chebyshev\npolynomial → element of F” is considerably longer and conceptually\nricher than the argument required for the original or for the\ncurrent kernel variant, thereby raising both the technical and the\ntheoretical difficulty substantially."
      }
    },
    "original_kernel_variant": {
      "question": "Let $F=\\mathbb{Q}(\\sqrt5)$ and expand every element of $\\mathrm{SU}(2)$ in the usual basis  \n\\[\nU=\\begin{pmatrix}\nx+iy & -(u+iv)\\\\[2pt]\nu-iv & x-iy\n\\end{pmatrix},\\qquad(\\star)\n\\]\nwith $x,y,u,v\\in F$.  \nFor each non–negative integer $k$ set  \n\\[\nM_k=U^{6k}-I_2,\n\\qquad\nN_k=\\operatorname{Tr}\\!\\bigl(M_kM_k^{\\dagger}\\bigr).\\tag{$\\ast$}\n\\]\n\n(a)  Prove that $N_k\\in F$ for every $k\\ge0$.\n\n(b)  Show that  \n\\[\nN_k\\,=\\,4\\bigl(1-T_{6k}(x)\\bigr),\\tag{$\\dagger$}\n\\]\nwhere $T_m$ denotes the Chebyshev polynomial of the first kind.\n\n(c)  Put the eigenvalues of $U$ in the form $e^{\\pm i\\theta}$ with $\\theta\\in[0,\\pi]$ (so $x=\\cos\\theta$).\n\n\\quad(i)  Prove that  \n\\[\nN_k=0\\;\\Longleftrightarrow\\;U^{6k}=I_2\\;\\Longleftrightarrow\\;T_{6k}(x)=1 .\n\\]\n\n\\quad(ii)  Show that the following conditions are equivalent:\n\\begin{itemize}\n\\item[(A)]  there exists $k\\ge1$ with $N_k=0$;\n\\item[(B)]  $\\theta/\\pi$ is rational;\n\\item[(C)]  $U$ has finite order in $\\mathrm{SU}(2)$.\n\\end{itemize}\nIf $n$ denotes this finite order, then  \n\\[\nN_k=0\\;\\Longleftrightarrow\\;n\\mid 6k .\n\\]\n\n\\quad(iii)  For the two real embeddings $\\sigma_\\pm:F\\hookrightarrow\\mathbb{R}$ define $\\theta_\\pm\\in[0,\\pi]$ by $\\sigma_\\pm(x)=\\cos\\theta_\\pm$.  Prove that  \n\\[\n\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)=8\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_\\pm)\\quad(\\ge0)\n\\]\nand determine precisely when $\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)=0$.  Deduce that if $U$ has infinite order then for every $k\\ge1$ \\emph{at least one} of $\\sigma_+(N_k),\\sigma_-(N_k)$ is strictly positive; in particular $N_k$ is never totally negative, although it need not be totally positive.\n\n\\quad(iv)  Assume in addition that $x,y,u,v\\in\\mathcal{O}_F$.  Prove that each $N_k$ $(k\\ge1)$ is an algebraic integer and  \n\\[\n\\operatorname{N}_{F/\\mathbb{Q}}(N_k)=\\sigma_+(N_k)\\,\\sigma_-(N_k)\n      =64\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_+)\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_-)\\in\\mathbb{Z}_{\\ge0}.\n\\]\nFinally, show that \\emph{no} matrix $U$ of infinite order can satisfy\n\\[\n\\sigma_\\varepsilon(N_k)=0\\quad\\text{for infinitely many }k\\ge1\n\\]\nfor either embedding $\\varepsilon\\in\\{+,-\\}$.  (Equivalently, $N_k$ fails to be totally positive for only finitely many $k$ whenever $U$ has infinite order.)\n\n\\bigskip",
      "solution": "\\textbf{Preliminaries: a quaternion model for $\\mathrm{SU}(2)$.}  \nLet $\\mathbb{H}=\\mathbb{R}\\langle1,i,j,k\\mid i^{2}=j^{2}=k^{2}=ijk=-1\\rangle$.  \nThe $\\mathbb{R}$–algebra morphism\n\\[\n\\Psi:\\mathbb{H}\\longrightarrow M_2(\\mathbb{C}),\\qquad\na+bi+cj+dk\\longmapsto\n\\begin{pmatrix}\na+bi & -(c+di)\\\\\nc-di & a-bi\n\\end{pmatrix}\n\\]\nsatisfies $\\det\\Psi(q)=\\lVert q\\rVert^{2}$.  Restricting $\\Psi$ to the unit sphere\n\\[\nS^3=\\{q\\in\\mathbb{H}\\mid\\lVert q\\rVert=1\\}\n\\]\ngives the standard isomorphism\n\\[\n\\Psi:S^3\\xrightarrow{\\;\\sim\\;}\\mathrm{SU}(2).\\tag{1}\n\\]\n\n\\textbf{Step 1.  The quaternion attached to $U$.}  \nDefine\n\\[\nq:=x+yi+uj+vk\\in\\mathbb{H}.\\tag{2}\n\\]\nBecause $U$ is unitary, $UU^{\\dagger}=I_2$, hence $\\lVert q\\rVert=1$ by (1); write its polar form\n\\[\nq=\\cos\\theta+\\sin\\theta\\,n,\\qquad0\\le\\theta\\le\\pi,\\tag{3}\n\\]\nwith $n$ a purely imaginary unit quaternion, $\\lVert n\\rVert=1$.  Then\n\\[\n\\operatorname{Tr}U=\\operatorname{Tr}\\Psi(q)=2\\cos\\theta,\\quad\\text{i.e.}\\quad x=\\cos\\theta.\\tag{4}\n\\]\n\n\\textbf{Step 2.  Powers of $U$ and Chebyshev polynomials.}  \nSince $\\Psi$ is a homomorphism,\n\\[\nU^{m}=\\Psi(q^{m})\\quad(m\\in\\mathbb{Z}).\\tag{5}\n\\]\nFor any $r\\in\\mathbb{H}$ one has $\\operatorname{Tr}\\Psi(r)=2\\,\\mathrm{Re}(r)$, hence\n\\[\n\\operatorname{Tr}U^{m}=2\\,\\mathrm{Re}(q^{m})=2\\cos(m\\theta).\\tag{6}\n\\]\nBecause $T_m(\\cos\\theta)=\\cos(m\\theta)$,\n\\[\n\\operatorname{Tr}U^{m}=2T_m(x),\\quad\\text{so in particular}\\quad\n\\operatorname{Tr}U^{6k}=2T_{6k}(x).\\tag{7}\n\\]\n\n\\textbf{Step 3.  Computing $N_k$ (part (b)).}  \nFirst note that $U^{\\dagger}=U^{-1}$, whence\n\\[\nM_kM_k^{\\dagger}=(U^{6k}-I_2)(U^{-6k}-I_2)\n                =2I_2-U^{6k}-U^{-6k}.\\tag{8}\n\\]\nTaking the trace and using (6) with $m=6k$,\n\\[\nN_k=\\operatorname{Tr}(M_kM_k^{\\dagger})\n    =\\operatorname{Tr}(2I_2)-2\\operatorname{Tr}U^{6k}\n    =4-4T_{6k}(x)\n    =4\\bigl(1-T_{6k}(x)\\bigr),\\tag{$\\dagger$}\n\\]\nestablishing part (b).\n\n\\medskip\n\\textbf{Step 4.  Membership in $F$ (part (a)).}  \nAll coefficients of every $T_m$ are integers; hence $T_{6k}(x)\\in F$ and therefore $N_k\\in F$ by ($\\dagger$).\n\n\\textbf{Step 5.  Vanishing of $N_k$ and the order of $U$ (parts (c)(i)\\,--\\,(ii)).}\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{5.1  Formula under the two real embeddings.}  \nLet $\\sigma_\\pm:F\\hookrightarrow\\mathbb{R}$ be the embeddings determined by $\\sigma_\\pm(\\sqrt5)=\\pm\\sqrt5$.  \nSet $U^\\sigma:=\\sigma(U)$; then $U^\\sigma\\in\\mathrm{SU}(2)$ and has eigenvalues $e^{\\pm i\\theta_\\sigma}$ with $\\sigma(x)=\\cos\\theta_\\sigma$.  Applying $\\sigma$ to ($\\dagger$) gives\n\\[\n\\sigma(N_k)=4\\bigl(1-T_{6k}(\\cos\\theta_\\sigma)\\bigr)\n           =4\\bigl(1-\\cos(6k\\theta_\\sigma)\\bigr)\n           =8\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_\\sigma).\\tag{9}\n\\]\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{5.2  Proof of (c)(i).}  \nIf $N_k=0$, then each $\\sigma(N_k)=0$ by (9), so $\\sin(3k\\theta_\\sigma)=0$.  Hence $3k\\theta_\\sigma\\in\\pi\\mathbb{Z}$, and $e^{\\pm i6k\\theta}=1$; therefore $U^{6k}=I_2$.  Conversely, if $U^{6k}=I_2$ then $\\cos(6k\\theta)=1$, i.e.\\ $T_{6k}(x)=1$, so $N_k=0$ by ($\\dagger$).\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{5.3  Proof of (c)(ii).}  \nWrite $\\theta/\\pi=p/q$ with $p,q\\in\\mathbb{Z}$, $q\\ge1$, in lowest terms.  Then $U^{q}$ has eigenvalues $e^{\\pm i\\pi p}=\\pm1$, so the order of $U$ divides $2q$.  Conversely, if $U$ has finite order $n$, its eigenvalues are $n$–th roots of unity, whence $\\theta/\\pi\\in\\mathbb{Q}$.  Equivalence (A)$\\Leftrightarrow$(B)$\\Leftrightarrow$(C) follows from (i).  The final divisibility statement is immediate from (i).\n\n\\textbf{Step 6.  Positivity questions (parts (c)(iii)\\,--\\,(iv)).}\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{6.1  Proof of (c)(iii).}  \nEquation (9) shows $\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)\\ge0$ and\n\\[\n\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)=0\n\\Longleftrightarrow\n\\sin(3k\\theta_\\pm)=0\n\\Longleftrightarrow\n3k\\theta_\\pm\\in\\pi\\mathbb{Z}.\\tag{10}\n\\]\n\nNow assume that $U$ has \\emph{infinite} order, so $\\theta/\\pi$ is irrational by part (c)(ii).  \nIf both $\\theta_+/\\pi$ and $\\theta_-/\\pi$ were rational, then both embeddings would give roots of unity as eigenvalues, forcing $U$ to have finite order—a contradiction.  Hence at least one of the two angles $\\theta_\\pm/\\pi$ is irrational, and for that embedding $\\sin(3k\\theta_\\sigma)\\neq0$ for every $k\\ge1$ by (10).  Consequently at least one of the two conjugates $\\sigma_\\pm(N_k)$ is strictly positive for every $k\\ge1$, proving the claimed statements about (non-)total positivity.\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{6.2  Proof of (c)(iv).}  \nBecause $x,y,u,v\\in\\mathcal{O}_F$, the integer–coefficient polynomial $T_{6k}$ sends $x$ to an algebraic \\emph{integer}; hence $N_k$ is an algebraic integer by ($\\dagger$).  Taking conjugates in (9) yields\n\\[\n\\operatorname{N}_{F/\\mathbb{Q}}(N_k)=\\sigma_+(N_k)\\,\\sigma_-(N_k)\n      =64\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_+)\\sin^{2}(3k\\theta_-)\\in\\mathbb{Z}_{\\ge0}.\n\\]\n\n\\smallskip\\textbf{6.3  Non–existence of the advertised infinite–order counter–example (corrected argument).}  \n\nAssume $U$ has infinite order and suppose, aiming for a contradiction, that\n\\[\n\\sigma_{-}(N_k)=0\\quad\\text{for infinitely many }k .\n\\]\nBy (10) this forces $3k\\theta_{-}\\in\\pi\\mathbb{Z}$ for infinitely many $k$, hence $\\theta_{-}/\\pi$ is rational.  Let\n\\[\nn:=\\min\\{m\\ge1\\mid m\\theta_{-}/\\pi\\in\\mathbb{Z}\\},\n\\qquad\\text{so}\\quad e^{\\,i n\\theta_{-}}=\\pm1.\n\\]\nThus $\\cos(n\\theta_{-})=\\pm1$ and consequently\n\\[\nT_{n}(x_{-})=\\cos(n\\theta_{-})=\\pm1.\\tag{11}\n\\]\nIf the sign in (11) is $+1$, we already have $T_{n}(x_{-})=1$;  \nif it is $-1$, apply the duplication formula $T_{2n}(t)=2T_n(t)^2-1$ to obtain\n\\[\nT_{2n}(x_{-})=1.\n\\]\nIn either case we have found an \\emph{even} integer $m\\,(=n\\text{ or }2n)$ with\n\\[\nT_{m}(x_{-})=1.\\tag{12}\n\\]\n\nBecause $T_m$ has integer coefficients, (12) is preserved by the non–trivial Galois automorphism of $F/\\mathbb{Q}$; hence\n\\[\nT_{m}(x_{+})=1\\quad\\Longrightarrow\\quad\\cos(m\\theta_{+})=1,\n\\]\nso $m\\theta_{+}\\in2\\pi\\mathbb{Z}$ and therefore $\\theta_{+}/\\pi\\in\\mathbb{Q}$.  But then $\\theta/\\pi$ is rational (it lies between the two conjugates), contradicting the assumption that $U$ has infinite order.  The same argument applies \\emph{mutatis mutandis} if we start with $\\sigma_{+}(N_k)=0$ infinitely often.  Therefore neither embedding can yield $\\sigma_\\varepsilon(N_k)=0$ for infinitely many $k$ when $U$ has infinite order, and $N_k$ fails to be totally positive only finitely often in that case.\n\n\\bigskip",
      "metadata": {
        "replaced_from": "harder_variant",
        "replacement_date": "2025-07-14T01:37:45.488044",
        "was_fixed": false,
        "difficulty_analysis": "1.  Higher-dimensional setting.  \n The original problem dealt with a single complex number; the new\nvariant works in the four-real-dimensional Lie group SU(2), encoded\nin 2×2 matrices whose entries live in the quadratic field F.\n\n2.  Additional algebraic structure.  \n Solving the problem demands familiarity with the isomorphism\nbetween SU(2) and the unit quaternions, as well as with the way\nmatrix powers behave under this identification.\n\n3.  Deeper theoretical tools.  \n The solution uses advanced objects—unit quaternions, Chebyshev\npolynomials, representation theory of SU(2)—and exploits their\ninteraction to translate a matrix-norm question into a trigonometric\nidentity inside an algebraic number field.\n\n4.  Multiple interacting concepts.  \n One must combine linear algebra (matrix norms and traces), Lie\ngroup theory (SU(2)), algebraic number theory (fields, total\npositivity), and classical analysis (trigonometric/ Chebyshev\nrelations).  No single elementary trick suffices.\n\n5.  More steps and subtler insights.  \n The chain “matrix → quaternion → polar form → trace → Chebyshev\npolynomial → element of F” is considerably longer and conceptually\nricher than the argument required for the original or for the\ncurrent kernel variant, thereby raising both the technical and the\ntheoretical difficulty substantially."
      }
    }
  },
  "checked": true,
  "problem_type": "proof"
}