Vieta’s Formulas

U MAN D EBNATH*
August 2021

Hello everyone, this is my first handout and for this handout, I chose a topic very lovely to
me and one that I learned recently, ’The Vieta’s Formulas’. Hope you all will enjoy reading it!!!

§1 Introduction

So, what’s Vieta’s basically? Actually, it’s a theorem that helps us in getting a relation between
the roots of a polynomial and helps us in getting some information about the roots even when
we don’t know the roots of the polynomial.

For defining Vieta’s formulas, first we have to define the k-th elementary symmetric sum of
some variables which will help us in getting some relations between the roots of the polynomial.

§1.1 Definition of k-th Elementary Symmetric Sum

Definition 1.1. The k-th elementary symmetric sum of n variables a1 , a2 , . . . , an is defined as the
sum of all combinations of products of k of these variables at a time. Let us denote this by Sk .

Therefore,
S1 = a 1 + a 2 + a 3 + · · · + a n

Similarly,
S2 = a 1 · a 2 + a 1 · a 3 + · · · + a n − 1 · a n
S3 = a 1 · a 2 · a 3 + a 1 · a 2 · a 4 + · · · + a n − 2 · a n − 1 · a n
·
·
·
Sn = a1 · a2 · a3 · · · a n
* special thanks to Debayu Chakraborti

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§2 The Vieta’s Theorem

Theorem 2.1
When we are given a polynomial P( x ) = an x n + an−1 x n−1 + · · · + a2 x2 + a1 x + a0 with
roots r1 , r2 , r3 , . . . , rn , we have:

an−k
Sk = (−1)k · ,
an

where Sk denotes the k-th elementary symmetric sum of r1 , r2 , . . . , rn .

Proof. We know that we can express P(x) as

P( x ) = a( x − r1 )( x − r2 ) · · · ( x − rn ),
for some constant a. In this case, we know that a = an .

Expanding this, we have:

P( x ) = an x n + an (−r1 − r2 − · · · − rn ) x n−1 + an (r1 r2 + r1 r3 + ... + rn−1 rn ) x n−2 + · · · + (−r1 )(−r2 ) · · · (−rn )

Now, lets look at the coefficients. Quite surprisingly, they are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,... elementary
symmetric sums of the n roots. Also, we have a power of -1 depending upon the coefficients we
are working with.

By comparing coefficients, we have:

an (Sk )(−1)k = an−k

Therefore,
an−k
Sk = (−1)k ·
an

Hence, proved.

§3 Vieta’s Relations for Polynomials of specific degree:

§3.1 Vieta’s Relations for a Quadratic Polynomial

Suppose that p(x) = ax2 + bx + c is a quadratic polynomial with roots α and β. Then, we have:

b
α + β = S1 = −
a
c
α · β = S2 =
a

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§3.2 Vieta’s Relations for a Cubic Polynomial

Suppose that f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d is a cubic polynomial with roots α, β and γ. Then, we
have:

b
α + β + γ = S1 = −
a
c
α · β + β · γ + γ · α = S2 =
a
d
α · β · γ = S3 = −
a

Similarly, we can define Vieta’s relations for polynomials of higher degree. Vieta’s relations
basically give us the sum of roots, sum of roots taken two at a time, sum of roots taken three at
a time, and so on, till we get the product of roots.

§4 Some examples

Lets begin with a very easy problem that isn’t any type of competitive math problem. To build
the intuitive feeling towards Vieta’s Relations and its numerous applications, I am introducing
a school level problem first.

Example 4.1
The roots of the equation x2 − 7x + 3 = 0 are α and β. Find (a) α2 + β2 and (b) α4 + β4 .

Solution. Given equation:

x2 − 7x + 3 = 0

By Vieta’s Relations, we have:

α+β = 7
α·β = 3
α2 · β2 = (α · β)2 = 32 = 9

Now,

(α + β)2 = α2 + β2 + 2αβ
72 = α2 + β2 + 2 · 3
α2 + β2 = 49 − 6 = 43

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Similarly,

(α2 + β2 )2 = α4 + β4 + 2α2 β2
(43)2 = α4 + β4 + 2 · 9
α4 + β4 = 1849 − 18
α4 + β4 = 1831

Hence, ( a)α2 + β2 = 43 (b)α4 + β4 = 1831

Now, let’s move on to some harder questions:

Example 4.2 (2006 AMC 10B)

1 1
Let a and b be the roots of the equation x2 − mx + 2 = 0. Suppose that a + b and b + a are
the roots of the equation x2 − px + q = 0. What is q?

Solution. By applying Vieta’s in the first equation, we have:

a·b = 2 (1)

Similarly, in the second equation, we have:

  
1 1
c = a+ b+
b a
      
1 1 1 1
= a · b + ( a) + (b) +
a b b a
1
= a·b+1+1+
ab
1
= 2+2+
2
1
= 4+
2
9
=
2

Now, let’s move on to a very recent problem from AMC 12.

Example 4.3 (2021 AMC 12A)

All the roots of the polynomial z6 − 10z5 + Az4 + Bz3 + Cz2 + Dz + 16 are positive integers,
possibly repeated. What is the value of B?

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Uman Debnath4 (August 2021) Vieta’s Formulas

Solution. Since the polynomial has degree 6, it has 6 roots in total. It is given that all the roots of
the polynomial are integers and they may be repeated. We are given the numerical coefficient
of z5 and the constant term in the polynomial. Also, the polynomial is monic(leading coefficient
is 1). So, it gives us an intuitive feeling to use Vieta’s relations in the polynomial to find the sum
of roots and the product of roots. Let, the roots be r1 , r2 , . . . , r6 .

Then, by applying Vieta’s, we have:

r1 + r2 + · · · + r6 = −(−10) = 10
r1 · r2 · · · r6 = 16

By inspection, we find that the roots of the equation are 1, 1, 2, 2, 2 and 2. (Since 1 + 1 + 2 +
2 + 2 + 2 = 10 and 1 · 1 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 = 16). Now, the polynomial becomes (z − 1)2 (z − 2)4 .

Now, we have:

z6 − 10z5 + Az4 + Bz3 + Cz2 + Dz + 16 = (z − 1)2 (z − 2)4

z6 − 10z5 + Az4 + Bz3 + Cz2 + Dz + 16 = (z2 − 2z + 1)(z4 − 8z3 + 24z2 − 32z + 16)

By comparing coefficients, we have:

B = (1)(−32) + (−2)(24) + (1)(−8)

= −32 − 48 − 8
= −88

Hence, B = -88.

Remark 4.4. This problem seemed potentially difficult but we had to only use the Vieta’s relations
to inspect out the roots with which we formed an alternate equation for the given polynomial. Then,
comparing the coefficients in the two equations, we could easily find the value of B asked in the
question.

Example 4.5 (1977 USAMO)

If a and b are two of the roots of x4 + x3 − 1 = 0, prove that ab is a root of x6 + x4 + x3 −
x2 − 1 = 0.

Solution. It is given that a and b are two roots of the equation:

x4 + x3 − 1 = 0

Let us assume that the other two roots of the equation are c and d.

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First, by applying Vieta’s relations, we have:

a + b + c + d = −1 (2)
ab + ac + ad + bc + bd + cd = 0 (3)
abcd = −1 (4)

From (2), we have:

c + d = −1 − ( a + b )
From (4), we have:
1
cd = −
ab
From (3), we have:
ab + a(c + d) + b(c + d) + cd = 0
ab + ( a + b)(c + d) + cd = 0
1
ab + ( a + b)[−1 − ( a + b)] − =0
ab
Let a + b = p and ab = q, therefore:

1
q + p(−1 − p) − =0 (5)
q

Second, since a is a root of x4 + x3 − 1 = 0, we have:

a4 + a3 − 1 = 0
a4 + a3 = 1

a3 ( a + 1) = 1 (6)

Similarly, since b is also a root of x4 + x3 − 1 = 0, we have:

b4 + b3 = 1

b3 ( b + 1) = 1 (7)
Multiplying (6) and (7), we have:

a3 b3 ( a + 1)(b + 1) = 1

( ab)3 ( ab + a + b + 1) = 1
q3 ( p + q + 1) = 1
pq3 + q4 + q3 = 1
pq3 = 1 − q4 − q3
1 − q4 − q3
p=
q3

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Uman Debnath6 (August 2021) Vieta’s Formulas

1− q4 − q3
Putting p = q3
in (5), we have:

1
q + p(−1 − p) − =0
q
1
q − p − p2 − = 0
q
2
1 − q4 − q3 1 − q4 − q3
   
1
q− − − =0
q3 q3 q
1−q −q4 3 4
(1 − q − q ) 3 2
 
1
q− 3
− 6
− =0
q q q
4
1−q −q 3 4
(1 − q − q )3 2
 
1
q · q6 − 3
· q6 − 6
· q6 − · q6 = 0
q q q
q7 − q3 (1 − q4 − q3 ) − (1 − q4 − q3 )2 − q5 = 0
−q8 − q5 + 2q4 + q3 − 1 = 0
q8 + q5 − 2q4 − q3 + 1 = 0

Factorising this, we have:

(q2 − 1)(q6 + q4 + q3 − q2 − 1) = 0
(q − 1)(q + 1)(q6 + q4 + q3 − q2 − 1) = 0
( q6 + q4 + q3 − q2 − 1) = 0

Now, q = ab. Therefore, ab is a root of the equation x6 + x4 + x3 − x2 − 1 = 0.

Hence, proved.

Remark 4.6. This question was a bit lengthy but for such kind of questions, we have to build an
intuitive feeling by doing more and more questions of this type. We had to define Vieta’s on the
first equation as it had numerical coefficients and for the sake of simplicity, we let a + b = p and ab
= q. Then, from the first equation, we got a relation between a and b in terms of p and q. We found
the value of p and put it in one of the equations we got by applying Vieta’s in the first equation.
From there, we manipulated the expression to get that the second equation was satisfied when x =
q. So, q = ab is a root of the second equation x6 + x4 + x3 − x2 − 1 = 0.

Example 4.7 (2017 PRMO)

Suppose 1, 2, 3 are the roots of the equation x4 + ax2 + bx = c. Find the value of c.

Solution. This is an easy question from the PRMO 2017. Expanding the equation, we have:

x4 + 0 · x3 + ax2 + bx − c = 0

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Uman Debnath7 (August 2021) Vieta’s Formulas

Let, the 4th root be k. By using Vieta’s, we have:

Sum of roots = 0
1+2+3+k=0
6+k=0
k = - 6 Similarly,
Product of roots = -(-c) = c

c = 1 · 2 · 3 · (−6) = −36

Hence, c = −36

Example 4.8 (2017 AMC 12A)

For certain real numbers a, b, and c, the polynomial

g( x ) = x3 + ax2 + x + 10

has three distinct roots, and each root of g( x ) is also a root of the polynomial

f ( x ) = x4 + x3 + bx2 + 100x + c.

What is f (1)?

Solution. Let r1 , r2 , and r3 be the roots of g( x ). Let r4 be the additional root of f ( x ). Then
from Vieta’s formulas on the quadratic term of g( x ) and the cubic term of f ( x ), we obtain the
following:

r1 + r2 + r3 = − a
r1 + r2 + r3 + r4 = −1
− a + r4 = −1
r4 = a − 1

Now applying Vieta’s formulas on the constant term of g( x ), the linear term of g( x ), and
the linear term of f ( x ), we obtain:

r1 r2 r3 = −10
r1 r2 + r2 r3 + r3 r1 = 1
r1 r2 r3 + r2 r3 r4 + r3 r4 r1 + r4 r1 r2 = −100

Substituting for r1 r2 r3 in the bottom equation and factoring the remainder of the expression, we
obtain:
−10 + (r1 r2 + r2 r3 + r3 r1 )r4 = −10 + r4 = −100

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It follows that r4 = −90. But r4 = a − 1 so a = −89

Now we can factor f ( x ) in terms of g( x ) as

f ( x ) = ( x − r4 ) g( x ) = ( x + 90) g( x )

Then f (1) = 91g(1) and

g(1) = 13 − 89 · 12 + 1 + 10 = −77
Hence, f (1) = 91 · (−77) = −7007

Example 4.9 (2014 USAMO)

Let a, b, c, d be real numbers such that b − d ≥ 5 and all zeros x1 , x2 , x3 , and x4 of the
polynomial P( x ) = x4 + ax3 + bx2 + cx + d are real. Find the smallest value the product
( x12 + 1)( x22 + 1)( x32 + 1)( x42 + 1) can take.

Solution. Let S = ( x1 2 + 1)( x2 2 + 1)( x3 2 + 1)( x4 2 + 1)

S= ∑ x1 2 x2 2 x3 2 + ∑ x1 2 x2 2 + ∑ x1 2 + x1 2 x2 2 x3 2 x4 2 + 1
sym sym sym

Now !2
∑ x1 2 2
x2 x3 = 2
∑ x1 x2 x3 − 2x1 x2 x3 x4 ∑ x1 x2 = c2 − 2bd
sym sym sym
!2
∑ x1 2 x2 2 = ∑ x1 x2 − 2 ∑ x1 ∑ x1 x2 x3 + 2x1 x2 x3 x4 = b2 − 2ac + 2d
sym sym sym sym

∑ x1 2 = a2 − 2b
sym

Therefore

S = b2 − 2ac + 2d + c2 − 2bd + a2 − 2b + d2 + 1 = ( a − c)2 + (b − d)2 + 2(b − d) + 1

S ≥ ( a − c)2 + 16
S ≥ 16
Construction for S = 16:

Clearly ( x − 1)4 works, therefore 16 is indeed the minimum value of S.

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Example 4.10 (2015 AIME II)

Steve says to Jon, ”I am thinking of a polynomial whose roots are all positive integers. The
polynomial has the form P( x ) = 2x3 − 2ax2 + ( a2 − 81) x − c for some positive integers a
and c. Can you tell me the values of a and c?”

After some calculations, Jon says, ”There is more than one such polynomial.”

Steve says, ”You’re right. Here is the value of a.” He writes down a positive integer
and asks, ”Can you tell me the value of c?”

Jon says, ”There are still two possible values of c.”

Find the sum of the two possible values of c.

Solution. Given polynomial:

P( x ) = 2x3 − 2ax2 + ( a2 − 81) x − c

Let, the three roots of this cubic polynomial be r1 , r2 and r3 . Therefore, r1 , r2 , r3 ∈ Z + .

Now, by applying Vieta’s, we have:

2a
r1 + r2 + r3 = =a (8)
2
a2 − 81
r1 · r2 + r2 · r3 + r1 · r3 = (9)
2
c
r1 · r2 · r3 = (10)
2
Let, r1 · r2 + r2 · r3 + r1 · r3 = S2 . Now, putting (8) in (9), we have:

(r1 + r2 + r3 )2 − 81
S2 =
2
2S2 = r12 + r22 + r32 + 2S2 − 81
r12 + r22 + r32 = 81

Now, since r1 , r2 and r3 are all integers, we get only three triplets for (r1 , r2 , r3 ) by inspection.
These are (4,4,7), (3,6,6) and (1,4,8).

Now, from the question, it is clear that a given value of a satisfies the equation for two
values of c. So, let us find the values of a for each of these triplets.

When (r1 , r2 , r3 ) = (4,4,7), then:

a = 4 + 4 + 7 = 15

When (r1 , r2 , r3 ) = (3,6,6), then:

a = 3 + 6 + 6 = 15

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When (r1 , r2 , r3 ) = (1,4,8), then:

a = 1 + 4 + 8 = 13

Now, since one value of a satisfies the equation with two values of c, therefore the value of
a given by Steve is 15. So, we leave the third triplet and proceed with the fisrt two triplets.

When (r1 , r2 , r3 ) = (4,4,7), then:

c = 2 · 4 · 4 · 7 = 224

When (r1 , r2 , r3 ) = (3,6,6), then:

c = 2 · 3 · 6 · 6 = 216

So, the two possible values of c for the given value of a are 224 and 216. Therefore, the sum
of the possible values of c = 224 + 216 = 440.

Now that we have understood the theorem and solved some questions based on this, I
wish to give some problems to you of varying difficulties, ranging from very easy to tougher
ones. I have added the questions from some well known maths olympiad exams so that you
may enjoy solving the problems and you may have your confidence boosted after solving these
problems!

§5 Problems

Problem 5.1. If the roots of the equation x3 + px − q = 0 are a, b and c, then find the value of
a5 + b5 + c5 .

Problem 5.2 (1996 AIME). Suppose that the roots of x3 + 3x2 + 4x − 11 = 0 are a, b, and c, and
that the roots of x3 + rx2 + sx + t = 0 are a + b, b + c, and c + a. Find t.

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Problem 5.3 (2012 PRMO). Let x1 , x2 ,x3 be the roots
  equation x + 3x + 5 = 0. What is
of the
1 1 1
the value of the expression x1 + x1 x2 + x2 x3 + x3 ?

Problem 5.4 (2019 PRMO). Let f ( x ) = x2 + ax + b. If for all nonzero real x

   
1 1
f x+ = f (x) + f
x x

and the roots of f ( x ) = 0 are integers, what is the value of a2 + b2 ?

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Problem 5.5 (2013 PRMO). Let f ( x ) = x3 − 3x + b and g( x ) = x2 + bx − 3, where b is a real

number. What is the sum of all possible values of b for which the equations f ( x ) = 0 and
g( x ) = 0 have a common root?

Problem 5.6 (2019 AIME I). For distinct complex numbers z1 , z2 , . . . , z673 , the polynomial

( x − z1 )3 ( x − z2 )3 · · · ( x − z673 )3

can be expressed as x2019 + 20x2018 + 19x2017 + g( x ), where g( x ) is a polynomial with complex

coefficients and with degree at most 2016. The value of
 
 
 ∑ z z
 
1≤ j<k≤673 j k 


m
can be expressed in the form n, where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find
m + n.

Problem 5.7 (1968 Putnam Exam). Find all polynomials P( x ) = x n + an−1 x n−1 + · · · + a0 such
that ai = ±1 for all 0 ≤ i ≤ n − 1 satisfying the condition that all roots of P(x) are real.

Problem 5.8 (ARML 2012 Team Problems). The zeroes of f ( x ) = x6 + 2x5 + 3x4 + 5x3 + 8x2 +
13x + 21 are distinct complex numbers. Compute the average value of A + BC + DEF over all
possible permutations ( A, B, C, D, E, F ) of these six numbers.

Problem 5.9 (1982 IMO Shortlisted Problem). Determine all real values of the parameter a for
which the equation
16x4 − ax3 + (2a + 17) x2 − ax + 16 = 0
has exactly four distinct real roots that form a geometric progression.

Problem 5.10 (Canada 1988). For some integer a, the equations 1988x2 + ax + 8891 = 0 and
8891x2 + ax + 1988 = 0 share a common root. Find a.

Problem 5.11 (HMMT 1998). Three of the roots of

x4 + ax2 + bx + c = 0

are 2, -3 and 5. Find the value of a + b + c.

Problem 5.12 (2001 AIME). Find the sum of all the roots of the equation
 2001
2001 1
x + −x = 0.
2

Problem 5.13 (1988 USAMO). The cubic polynomial x3 + ax2 + √bx + c has real coefficients and
2
three real roots r ≥ s ≥ t. Show that k = a − 3b ≥ 0 and that k ≤ r − t.

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Problem 5.14. Consider all pairs of non-zero integers ( a, b) such that the equation

( ax − b)2 + (bx − a)2 = x

has at least one integer solution. The sum of all(distinct) values of x which satisfy the above
condition can be written as mn , where m and n are coprime positive integers. What is the value
of m + n?

Problem 5.15. Consider the quadratic equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0

with roots α and β, and whose coefficients a, b, c are distinct, non-zero real numbers in arithmetic
progression.

If 1
α + β1 , α + β and α2 + β2 form a geometric progression, find ac .

Problem 5.16 (Canada 1996). If α, β and γ are the roots of x3 − x − 1 = 0, compute

1−α 1−β 1−γ

+ + .
1+α 1+β 1+γ

Problem 5.17 (2003 AIME II). Consider the polynomials P( x ) = x6 − x5 − x3 − x2 − x and

Q( x ) = x4 − x3 − x2 − 1. Given that z1 , z2 , z3 , and z4 are the roots of Q( x ) = 0, find P(z1 ) +
P ( z2 ) + P ( z3 ) + P ( z4 ).

Problem 5.18 (2002 IMO Shortlisted Problem). Is there a positive integer m such that the
equation
1 1 1 1 m
+ + + =
a b c abc a+b+c
has infinitely many solutions in a,b,c?

Problem 5.19 (2020 USMCA). Let a, b, c, d be the roots of the quartic polynomial f ( x ) = x4 +
2x + 4. Find the value of
a2 b2 c2 d2
+ + + .
a3 + 2 b3 + 2 c3 + 2 d3 + 2

Problem 5.20 (1999 JBMO). Let a, b, c, x, y be five real numbers such that a3 + ax + y = 0,
b3 + bx + y = 0 and c3 + cx + y = 0. If a, b, c are all real numbers, prove that their sum is zero.

Problem 5.21 (2005 AIME II). Let P( x ) be a polynomial with integer coefficients that satisfies
P(17) = 10 and P(24) = 17. Given that P(n) = n + 3 has two distinct integer solutions n1 and
n2 , find the product n1 · n2 .

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Problem 5.22 (1982 ISL). Let p( x ) be a cubic polynomial with integer coefficients with leading
coefficient 1 and with one of its roots equal to the product of the other two. Show that 2p(−1) is
a multiple of p(1) + p(−1) − 2(1 + p(0)).

Problem 5.23 (2010 Purple Comet). Let x1 , x2 and x3 be the roots of the polynomial x3 + 3x + 1.
There are relatively prime positive integers m and n such that

m x12 x22 x32

= + + .
n (5x2 + 1)(5x3 + 1 (5x1 + 1)(5x3 + 1) (5x1 + 1)(5x2 + 1

Find m + n.

Problem 5.24 (2019 AMC 10A). Let p, q, and r be the distinct roots of the polynomial x3 −
22x2 + 80x − 67. It is given that there exist real numbers A, B, and C such that

1 A B C
= + +
s3 − 22s2 + 80s − 67 s− p s−q s−r
1 1
for all s 6∈ { p, q, r }. What is A + B + C1 ?

Problem 5.25 (2021 NICE spring). Let r1 , r2 and r3 be the roots of the polynomial x3 − x + 1.
Then,
1 1 1 m
2
+ 2 + 2 =
r1 + r1 + 1 r2 + r2 + 1 r3 + r3 + 1 n
where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find 1000m + n.

§6 References

1. David Altizio’s ’Homemade Problem Collection’

2. Botong Wang’s ’Polynomials, factors and the Vi‘ete relations’
3. ALP’s ’Polynomials Handout’
4. ’The IMO Compendium’

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