By the Binomial Theorem,
\begin{align*}
(z + i)^4 &= z^4 + 4z^3 i + 6z^2 i^2 + 4zi^3 + 1 \\
&= z^4 + 4iz^3 - 6z^2 - 4iz + 1.
\end{align*}So, if $z^4 + 4z^3 i - 6z^2 - 4zi - i = 0,$ then
\[(z + i)^4 = z^4 + 4iz^3 - 6z^2 - 4iz + 1 = 1 + i.\]Let $w = z + i,$ so $w^4 = 1 + i.$  (If we plot the solutions $w$ in the complex plane, we obtain the same area as from the solutions $z$ in the complex plane, because the substitution $w = z + i$ simply translates the polygon.)

If $w^4 = 1 + i,$ then
\[(wi)^4 = w^4 i^4 = w^4 = 1 + i.\]Thus, if $w$ is a solution, then so are $iw,$ $i^2 w = -w,$ and $i^3 w = -iw,$ which form a square in the complex plane.

[asy]
unitsize(2 cm);

pair A, B, C, D;

A = 2^(1/8)*dir(45/4);
B = 2^(1/8)*dir(45/4 + 90);
C = 2^(1/8)*dir(45/4 + 180);
D = 2^(1/8)*dir(45/4 + 270);

draw(A--B--C--D--cycle);
draw((-1.5,0)--(1.5,0));
draw((0,-1.5)--(0,1.5));

dot("$w$", A, E);
dot("$iw$", B, N);
dot("$-w$", C, W);
dot("$-iw$", D, S);
[/asy]

From the equation $w^4 = 1 + i,$ $|w^4| = |1 + i|.$  Then $|w|^4 = \sqrt{2},$ so $|w| = 2^{1/8}.$  Therefore, the side length of the square is
\[|w - iw| = |w||1 - i| = 2^{1/8} \sqrt{2} = 2^{5/8},\]so the area of the square is $(2^{5/8})^2 = 2^{5/4}.$  The final answer is $5 + 4 + 2 = \boxed{11}.$
Question:
The solutions of the equation $z^4+4z^3i-6z^2-4zi-i=0$ are the vertices of a convex polygon in the complex plane.  The area of this polygon can be expressed in the form $p^{a/b},$ where $a,$ $b,$ $p$ are positive integers, $p$ is prime, and $a$ and $b$ are relatively prime.  Find $a + b + p.$
Answer:
Let's think step by step.

user
11
The solutions of the equation $z^4+4z^3i-6z^2-4zi-i=0$ are the vertices of a convex polygon in the complex plane.  The area of this polygon can be expressed in the form $p^{a/b},$ where $a,$ $b,$ $p$ are positive integers, $p$ is prime, and $a$ and $b$ are relatively prime.  Find $a + b + p.$
test