Let z1 and z2 be nth roots of unity which subtend a right angle at the origin. Then n must be of the form [2001]
(4)
Let z=(1)1/n=(cos2kπ+isin2kπ)1/n
⇒z=cos2kπn+isin2kπn, k=0,1,2,…,n-1.
Let z1=cos(2k1πn)+isin(2k1πn)
and z2=cos(2k2πn)+isin(2k2πn)
be the two values of z such that they subtend right angle at origin.
∴ 2k1πn-2k2πn=±π2⇒4(k1-k2)=±n
As k1 and k2 are integers and k1≠k2,
∴ n=4k, k∈I.