Polynomials

1
1.1

Polynomials
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that a polynomial of degree n has

exactly n roots with multiplicity (x2 = 0 has 2 roots which are 0,0). This is
easily proven using induction (except for the existence of the initial root which
requires complex analysis, youll understand what this means if you try to prove
this). From this we can conclude that if 2 polynomials p(x) and g(x) of degree n
are equal for n+1 different values of x, then p(x) = g(x), to prove this consider
p(x)-g(x) = 0 (This was actually an important step to take).

1.2

Lagrange Interpolation

If we require a polynomial p(x) of degree n that passes

through thepoints

n
n
X
Y
x ai

. Ex(a0 , b0 ), (a1 , b1 ), (an , bn ), then we have p(x) =

bj
a
j ai
j=0
i=0,i6=j

plain why we never divide by 0 and try to think about why this expression
works. Note that if you pick 4 points on a quadratic this method will give you a
cubic so it doesnt always provide the best polynomial to do what you want.....
or does it?

1.3

Vietas Relations

1) (x a1 )(x a2 ) = x2 (a1 + a2 )x + a1 a2
2) (x a1 )(x a2 )(x a3 ) = x3 (a1 + a2 + a3 )x2 + (a1 a2 + a1 a3 + a2 a3 )x
a1 a2 a3
try to generalize this for polynomials of higher degree. Note that each term
has 0 degree0 3 if you consider the a, and the x, each as 0 degree0 1. Also take
note of the leading coefficient, what would happen if it was 2?

1.4

Other Random Tips (These will help on the problems!)

1) Bound the roots if possible, 100000000 cannot be a root of x3 x2 + 2.7x

1.123423.
2) Consider the geometry of the polynomial if possible, graph it. Visuals
can help you understand whats happening (especially for quadratics hint hint)

Problems

1) Find a polynomial of degree 3 that pass through the points (1, 2), (2, 5), (8, 8), (, ).
It does not need to be in simplified form.
2) Find all solutions to the following equation,
8y + 14(2y ) 7(4y ) 8 = 0
3) Find all solutions to the following equation,
4x + 4(9x ) 11(2x ) + 4(6x ) + 24 22(3x ) = 0
4)For any prime p, which of the integers c0 , c1 , , cp1 satisfying
x(x 1)(x 2) (x p + 1) = xp + cp1 xp1 + + c1 x + c0
are divisible by p?
5) Let a, b, c, d, e, f be real numbers such that the polynomial
p(x) = x8 4x7 + 7x6 + ax5 + bx4 + cx3 + dx2 + ex + f
factorises into 8 linear factors (x xi ) with xi > 0 for all i. Determine the
possible values of f.
6) Let a1 , a2 , a3 , a4 , a5 be real numbers such that the equation
a1
a2
a3
a4
a5
1
k2 +1 + k2 +2 + k2 +3 + k2 +4 + k2 +5 = k2
holds for k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Evaluate the expression for k = 6.
7) Let a, b1 , , bn , c1 , , cn be real numbers such that
x2n + ax2n1 + ax2n2 + + ax2 + ax + 1 = (x2 + b1 x + c1 )(x2 + b2 x +
c2 ) (x2 + bn x + cn ).
Prove that c1 = c2 = = cn = 1.
8) Let d be a positive integer. Integers t1 , t2 , , td and real numbers
a1 , a2 , , ad are given such that
a1 tj1 + a2 tj2 + + ad tjd
is an integer for all 0 j < d. Prove that the previous expression is still an
integer when j = d.
9) Find all pairs of integers a, b for which there exists a polynomial P (x)
such that (x2 + ax + b) P (x) = xn + cn1 xn1 + + c1 x + c0 where each of
the ci is equal to 1 or 1 for all i.
10) Let f (x) = ax2 + bx + c and g(x) = cx2 + bx + a. If |f (0)| 1, |f (1)| 1,
and |f (1)| 1, prove that for all |x| 1 we have
(a) |f (x)|

5
4

(b) |g(x)| 2
11) p(x) = 2x5 228x4 + 5024x3 40812x2 + 123134x 87120 = 0 has
solutions 1, 5, 9, 11, y. Find y.