Polynomials Problem Solving

piyush kumar jha

March 19, 2023

§1 First Problem

Example 1.1 (Problem Solving Strategies (Modified) )

Define f (x) = (x2024 + x2023 + 2)2025 := ni=0 ai xi for ai ∈ R.
P

a1 a2 a4 a5
Compute: a0 − 2 − 2 + a3 − 2 − 2 + a6 − · · ·

Solution. observe f (ω) = 1 = (ω 2024 +ω 2023 +2)2025 = a0 +a1 ω+a2 (ω)2 +· · ·+an (ω)n −(1)
f (ω 2 ) = 1 = a0 + a1 (ω)2 + a2 (ω)4 + · · · + an (ω)2n − (2)

Just Add equations (1) and (2)

f (ω) + f (ω 2 ) = 2a0 − a1 − a2 + · · · = 2

answer to the problem will be 1

§2 Second Problem

Example 2.1 (IMO 1993 , Day 1 problem 1)

Let n > 1 be an integer and let f (x) = xn + 5 · xn−1 + 3. Prove that there do not
exist polynomials g(x), h(x), each having integer coefficients and degree at least one,
such that f (x) = g(x) · h(x).

Solution. FTSOC assume the contrary and set f (x) = h(x)·g(x), where h(x), g(x) ∈ Z[x],
plugging x = 0 and yeilds h(0) · g(0) = 3 , now observe f (x) = xn−1 (x + 5) + 3, plug
x = −5 and we get f (−5) = 3 =⇒ h(−5) · g(−5) = 3

Now by Rational Root Theorem, we can clearly observe that there is no integer root
of f (x) and h(x) and g(x) are not linear.

set h(x) = (x − z1 )(x − z2 ) · · · (x − zr ), deg((h(x)) = r and zi′ s are roots of h(x) for
1⩽i⩽r

now WLOG take h(0) = ±1( since h(x) ∈ Z[x])

1
piyush kumar jha — March 19, 2023 Polynomials Problem Solving
Qr
| i=1 zi | =1

take | ri=1 (zi + 5)| = |(z1 + 5)(z2 + 5) · · · (zr + 5)|

Q

now notice for zl ∈ {z1 , z2 , · · · , zr }

we get zln−1 (zl + 5) = −3

Qr n−1
| l=1 zl (zl + 5)| = 3r

|h(−5)| = 3r

we know that h(−5)|3 =⇒ 3r |3, r > 1 this follos a beautiful contradiction! and hence
problem statement follows ■

§3 Third Problem

Example 3.1 (IMO 1976, Day 1, Problem 2)

Let P1 (x) = x2 − 2 and Pj (x) = P1 (Pj−1 (x)) for j= 2, . . . Prove that for any positive
integer n the roots of the equation Pn (x) = x are all real and distinct.

Solution. Claim:- all real roots of Pn (x) = x lies in [−2, 2]

Proof:- clearly through induction we can show that Pn (x) > x ∀x > 2 and for x < −2
we have Pn (x) > 2 , hence we have all roots of Pn (x) = x lies in [−2, 2] , so claim follows
□
now we substitute x = 2 cos θ, we have P1 (x) = 2 cos 2θ, from again induction we have
Pn (x) = 2 cos 2n θ

we need to solve cos 2n θ = cos θ =⇒ θ = 22mπ

n −1 and θ =
2πm
2n +1 , where m ∈ Z∗ hence we
n
have all 2 roots of Pn (x) real and distint ■