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TrigonometryChallengePolar Coordinates and Complex Numbers

Polar Coordinates and Complex Numbers · Challenge problem

Evaluate ∑k=011cos⁡4(15k∘)=cos⁡40∘+cos⁡415∘+cos⁡430∘+⋯+cos⁡4165∘\displaystyle\sum_{k=0}^{11}\cos^4(15k^\circ) = \cos^4 0^\circ + \cos^4 15^\circ + \cos^4 30^\circ + \cdots + \cos^4 165^\circ.