If z1,z2,z3∈Cz_1, z_2, z_3\in\mathbb{C} are the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose centroid is z0z_0, then ∑k=13(zk−z0)2\displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^3 (z_k - z_0)^2 is equal to:

Answer: 00

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Centroid Property

The centroid z0z_0 of a triangle with vertices z1,z2,z3z_1, z_2, z_3 is the average of its vertices. This means that the sum of the vectors from the centroid to each vertex is zero.

Step 2: Express sum of vectors from centroid

From the definition of the centroid, we can rearrange the equation to show that the sum of the differences between each vertex and the centroid is zero. This is a fundamental property of the centroid.

Step 3: Equilateral Triangle Property

For an equilateral triangle, the distance from the centroid to each vertex is equal. Let this common distance be rr.

Step 4: Rotation Property for Equilateral Triangle

In an equilateral triangle, the vectors from the centroid to the vertices are separated by an angle of 2π/32\pi/3 (or 120 degrees). Therefore, we can express z2−z0z_2 - z_0 and z3−z0z_3 - z_0 as rotations of z1−z0z_1 - z_0 by ei2π/3e^{i2\pi/3} and ei4π/3e^{i4\pi/3} respectively.

Step 5: Substitute and Simplify

Substitute the rotational relationships into the sum. We use the property that ei8π/3=ei(2π+2π/3)=ei2π/3e^{i8\pi/3} = e^{i(2\pi + 2\pi/3)} = e^{i2\pi/3}. The sum of the cube roots of unity (1+ω+ω21 + \omega + \omega^2) is zero, where ω=ei2π/3\omega = e^{i2\pi/3}. This simplifies the expression to zero.

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