PROBLEMS

1. Let p() and q(r) be two quadratic polynomials with integer coefficients. Suppose they
have a non-rational zero in common. Show that
P) = rq)
for some rational number r.
2. Let a, b, c be integers, and suppose the equation
f) =a+bx+c=0
has an irational root r. Let u =pl be any rational number such that I u-rl<1.Prove
that

for some constant K. Deduce that 'there is a constant Msuch that

(This is useful-in approximating the non-rational zero of a polynomial by a rational

number)

1200 CHALLENOE AND TRL or Pr-Couoe MeTHEwnce

3. Find he value of the positive integer n for which the quadratic cquation

Z(u+k-De+*) =10n
k=l
has solutions a and o +1for some a.
4. Let p(*) be a monic quadratic polynomial over Z. Show that, for any integer n, therc
exists an integer k such that
P(n)p(n + 1) = p(k).
S. If the equations
+ br +c=0, br? + cx +l=0
bave a common root, prove that either
b+c+l=0
(or). b²+tl= be + b+ c.
6. If the roots ofthe cquation +bx +c=0 are real, show that the roots of the equation
+bx+ cr+ (2+ b) =0
are again real for every real number a.
7. Find all positive integers n for which the quadratic equation

a, =0

has real roots for every choice of real nunbers aj, az, .., a,+ 1
8. Let the polynomialp() =+az +b be,suchthat a and bare complex numbers and ip(z)
l=l whenever lz t= l. Prove that a =0and b=0.
9. Find necessary and sufficient conditions on the coefficients a, b, wso that the roots of the
equations
2+ 2az+b= 0, z-w=0
are collinear in the plane.
10. Find necessary and sufficient conditions an a, b, c, d'so that the equations.
2+az +b= 0, +cz + d=0
are collincar in the plan.
11. Determine all quadratic polynomials p(:) with complex coefficients such that the C+iß
is a zero of p) iff - a +iß is azero of p(x) (Here a and Bare real numbers).
12. Let ar+ bx +c be a quadratic polynomial with real coefficients such hat
lar +bx +clsI for 0SxsI,
Prove that
lal+lbl+1cls17. (")
Show that the equality can hold in () by constructing an example.
13. Let plx) be aquadratic polynomial such that for distinct reals a and 8.
pla) = a, p(p) = B
 11. isDetermine all quadratic polynomials p() with complex coefficients such that the C+i8
a zero of p() iff -a+ißis a zero of p(x) (Here a and ß are real numbers).
12. Let ar+ bx +cbe aquadraticpolynomial with real coefficients such hat
l ar+ bx+cls1 for 0sxs l,
Prove that
lal+1bl+lcls17. ()
Show that the equality can hold in (*) by constructing an example.
13. Let plx) bea quadratic polynomial such that for distinct reals a and 8.
p(a) = a, P(B) = ß
show that a and ß are roots of
plpr)] -x=0
and find the remaining rOOts.

14. Solve he equalion Ja-Jatx =x

QUADRATIc EaUATIONS AND ExPRESSIONS 201

15. Find the real roots of

16. Let p(x) be a quadratic polynomial

p(r) = ar'+ bx+ c
such that lp(r) 1sifor lxlsl. Prove that
I ca+ bx +als2
forlxls1.
17. Supposc a is a real root of the equation
r ' + b+c=0
and B is a real root of the cquation
- ar? + bx + c= 0
show that the equation
(al2) + bx +c=0
has a root lying between and B.
18. Let p(r) =ar+ bx +c be such that p(r) takesrcal values for real values of xand nonreal
values for nonreal values of x. Prove that a= 0.
19, Consider the number

where n 22 and m are natural numbers. Prove that

2
for some natural number k.
20. Letp) =ar + bx +c be apolynomialin R(r) such hat p(a) 1sIforlals I.
Prove that (2aa + bls4 forl al< l.
21. If a and b are positive reals, prove that
=0

has two real roots, one between al3 and 2a/3, and anothcr between - 2b/3 and - h/.3
22. If a, b, c, p, q, r are real numbers such that
ux? + bx + c20,
px+ qx+r20
for all real numbers prove thal
apx + bqx + er20
for all real x.
 PROBLEMS

polynomials a(x) and b(*) such that.

1. Given p() and q() show that there exist a pair of
a(x) + b(*) = pr)
gcd (a(x), b(r) = qr)
iff qa)lp(r)
polynomials a(x) and b(*) such that
2. Given p(a) and gx), show that there exist a pair of
gcd (a(), b(r)) = pr),
lcm (a(«), b(«)) = q)
iff pr)lq(x).
polynomials l(x) and m(r) such
3. Let p(r) be a gcd of ar) and b(x). Show that there are
that
a(x)l(*) + b(r)m(r) = P()
4. Find I() and m() such that
(*-1 I()-(x+ lým(x) = 1
holds as an identity.
5. We say a(x) and b(x) are relatively prime if gcd of a(r) and b(x) is a constant. Suppose
a(x) and b(x) are relatively prime and
a(r)lb(r)c),
for some polynomial c). Prove that a(r)lc(r). \
6. Ifpx) is a gcd of a(z) and b(), prove that and are relatively prime.
7. If qx) is a lcm of a(z) and b(), show that q(z)ra) is a lcm of
a()rr) and b(r)r(x) for any polynomial r(x).
8. Prove that for any two polynomials a(x) and b()
a()b(x) =ap()q()
where a is a real, p() is a gcd of a(x) and b(r), and q) is a lcm of a(r) and b().
9, Let a and Bbe distinct zeros of a polynomial p(), and suppose
plz) = (*- a)g(x),
P) = (-B)ra)
for some polynomials q() and r). Prove that the remaining zeros of p(x) are the roots
of the equation
ql*) - r) = 0.
10. Prove the division algorithm in R: given polynomials a(:) and b(x) in R(x], there are
unique polynomials q(r) and rx) such that
a(x) = b(r)q) + re)
where either ri) is the zero polynomial or deg rtx)< deg bic).
11. Find apolynomial p:) of degree 5such that (x - 1)P divides p() - I and divides p(:).
12. Show that for every inleger n,

is a polynomial of degree n -2.

IFACTORZAnON OF PoLNOMALS
13. Consider the cubic cquation
ar+ 3br+3er+ d= )
where ac- b²0. Show that this cquation has two equal noots i?
(bc- ad) =4(ac - b) (bel-c).
and in this case the cqual root is given by
2(uc -b)
14. Suppose p(r) is a polynonial over Z such that there exists a positive integer k for which
none of he integers pl), p(2), ... pk)is divisible by k. Pruve that p(r) bhas no integer
zeros.

15. Find all polynomials p(r) such that

plq)) =qnr)
for every polynomial qtr).
16. Find a necessory and suflicient condition that the polynomial
art + br+ er+ dr + elu # 0),
is of the form plg(r)) for somc quadratic polynomials p and .
17. Let p(), q(r) and r) be quadraic polynonials with positive leading coelficients and
having real zeros. Suppose cach pair of thenm has a conmmon zera. Show that pr)
+ q(r) + a) bas only real zeros.
18. Let p(r) be a polynomial in R[x] of degree m, let aj, ay,...a, be n distinct real number.
Prove hat
P() =dg +alr-a)+alt- a)(- a)+..
+a,(r- a) (r- a) ... (r- a,).
 Zeros.

15. Find all polynomials p() such uhat

plq)) =qn)
for every polynomial q().
16. Finda necessory and suficient condition that uhe polynonmial
art + b+c+ dr + elu # 0),
is of the forn plqtr) for some quadratic polynonials pand q.
17. Let p(), q(r) and r) be quadratic polynomials with positive leading coellicients and
having real zeros. Suppose cach pair of them has a common zero, Show that p(r)
+ q(u) + Ix) has only real zeros.
18. Let p(r) be a polynomial in Rx] of degree m, let y, ay...,a, be n distinct real number.
Prove that
p() = a0 + anlr- a) + alr- )r-a) +...
+a,(r- ) (r a) ...(r- a,).
for some real numbers do, l j , a
19. Given n+ I distinct real numbers ay,ag.., | and real numbers B. B.. (not
necessarily distince), show that there is aunique polynomial p(r) of degree les than or
equal ton such that
p(a) =Pi 1sisn+ I.
20, If o is a zero of
plr) = +a,-+... +
where a, may be conmplex, show that
lal s max {1, lagl + la,l + ... + k,-).
Polynomials in two variables An expression of the form

k =0=0

is called apolynomial in two variables. Here the cocflicients Cu nay be integers, rationals,
reals or complex numbers. As in the case of polynomials in one variable, we have
Z[x, yl. Qk, yl, R[x, y] and C[x, y]. We can also view, for example, R/r. y) as the set of al
expressions of the form
a,(c)y + a,-i(r)y+.. +dor)
where a*) are Rx]. Similarly R[r. ylcan also be thought as the collection of all
expressions of the fom
ba(+bm-i()-l+... +bol)
where by) are in Rlyl. The degree of a ternm of the form cuty is k,+ ey 0). The
degree of px, y)is defined as the maximum of the degrees of its tems.

416 CHALLENGE AND THAILL OF PRE-CoLEGE MATHEMATICS

21. Let p(x, y) be a symmetric polynomial in two variables x and y, i.e. px, ) = p(y, x).
Suppose (x -y) is afactor of p, y). Show that (- y² is afactor of p(*, y).
22, Consider the polynomial
pi, y) =+y++y'.
Express pr, y) as the sum of squares of three polynomials over Rin xand y.
23. Define
p, y) =xty +xy. , y) =+y+y.
For each n, consider F, and G,i
F,(«, y) = (*+ yr -*-.
G,(, y) = (*+ yr ++y.
Prove that, for each positive integer n, either F" or G is apolynomial in P and over Z.
24. Express +y,y +y', l/x+ ly, +y+xy,
t+y +xy +xy as polynomials in two variables Pand where
P(*, y) = x+y
Qu, y) = xy.
Can you conjecture something?
25. Let p() be a polynomial of degree nover Z. Suppose p(k) is a prime number for 2n + 1
distinct integers k. Show that p(x) is imeducible over Z; i.e. we cannot find nonconstant
polynomial gx) and rz) in Z), cach of degree less than n, such that
P) = q)r).
26. Find all polynomials p(x) such that
p(r)=p)p(x+ 1).
27. Suppose p(x) is a polynomial which leaves remainder 2 and 1 when divided by x- land
x-2 respectively. What is the remainder when p() is divided by (*- 1) (-2)?
28, Let ay, az...a, be distinct integers. Show that the polynomial
(«-a (u - 4,... *-a, +1
is ireducible over Z.
29, Suppose p(r) is a polynomial in Z[x] such that p(0) and p(1) are odd numbers. Prove that
p) has no integral zeros.
30. Determine all polynomials p(x) such that
pl?+ 1)=(p)) + land p(0) =0.
 21. Let p(r, y)be a symmetric polynomial in two variables x and y, i.e. p*, y)= p(y, x).
Suppose (-y) is a factor of p(k, y). Show that (x - y is a factor of p(*, ).
22. Consider the polynomial
pr, y) = +y++y.
Express p(x, y) as the sum of squares of three polynomials over Rin xand y.
23. Define
pL, y) =ry +xÝ, Q,y) =t+y+y.
For eachn, consider F, and G,;
Fx, y) = (*+yy -*-,
G,(x,y) = (x+ y +*+y.
Prove that, for each positive integer n, either F" or G" is apolynomial in P and Qover 2.
24. Express +y,y + y*, l/x +1y, +y+xy.
++xy +x as polynomials in two variables P and where
P(x, y) = x+y
2r, y) =xy.
Can you conjecture something?
25. Let p() be a polynomial of degree n over Z. Suppose p(k) is a prime number for 2n +1
distinct integers k. Show that p()is ireducible over Z; i.e. we cannot find nonconstant
polynomial g(x) and rx) in Z(), each of degree less than n, such that
P() = q()rx).
26. Find all polynomials p(r) such that
P(a) =pl)p(x + 1).
27. Suppose p(r) is a polynomial which leaves remainder 2 and 1 when divided by .x- 1 and
x-2 respectively. What is the remainder when p(x) is divided by (* -1) («2)?
28, Let a, az...a, be distinct integers. Show that the polynomial
(-a) («- a,)... (*- a +1
is irreducible over Z.
29. Suppose p(x) is a polynomial in Z[x] such that p(0) and p(1) are odd numbers. Prove that
plu) has no integral zeros.
30. Determine all polynomials p(x) such that
pr+I)= (p(r))? + l and p(0) =0.
31. Let p(x) be a polynomial in R(] such that p(«) 2 0 for all real values ofx. Prove that
pl) =qiw) +9)+... +gu)
for some polynomials q1, q2, ..qn
32. Let p(r) be the polynomial
p(r) 4ta,--l+...
= + a,x + ao
of degree n and a, are real or complex numbers. Let aj, a .., , be the zeros of plr).
Prove that

Cn-2
Isisjsn

aag... a, = (-1 "0

FACTORIZATION OF POLYNOMIALS 417

33. Let a, b and c be real numbers such that a+b+c= 0. Prove that

5
34. Show that the zeros of the polynomial
P) =ata,-l-+... + ayr+x?+x+1
with real coefficients an, a,-l .., ag, Cannot all be real.
35. Let p() be a monic polynomial in Z(:]. Prove that any rational zero of p() must be an
integer.

Chapter ll lnequalitiss Page 418