Difference between revisions of "2015 UNCO Math Contest II Problems/Problem 3"

(Created page with "== Problem == If P is a polynomial that satisfies <math>P(x^2 +1) = 5x^4 +7x^2 +19</math>, then what is <math>P(x)</math>? (Hint: <math>P</math> is quadratic.) == Solution == ...")
 
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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
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Define <math>P(x)=ax^2+bx+c</math>, so <math>a(x^2+1)^2+b(x^2+1)+c=ax^4+2ax^2+a+bx^2+b+c=5x^4+7x^2+19</math>. By matching coefficients (the coefficients of each power of x on both sides must be equal), we derive the system <math>a=5</math>,<math>2a+b=7</math>,and <math>a+b+c=19</math>, from which we see <math>b=-3</math> and <math>c=17</math>. Thus, <math>P(x)=\boxed{5x^2-3x+17}</math>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 09:03, 6 March 2024

Problem

If P is a polynomial that satisfies $P(x^2 +1) = 5x^4 +7x^2 +19$, then what is $P(x)$? (Hint: $P$ is quadratic.)

Solution

Define $P(x)=ax^2+bx+c$, so $a(x^2+1)^2+b(x^2+1)+c=ax^4+2ax^2+a+bx^2+b+c=5x^4+7x^2+19$. By matching coefficients (the coefficients of each power of x on both sides must be equal), we derive the system $a=5$,$2a+b=7$,and $a+b+c=19$, from which we see $b=-3$ and $c=17$. Thus, $P(x)=\boxed{5x^2-3x+17}$

See also

2015 UNCO Math Contest II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
All UNCO Math Contest Problems and Solutions