2021 AIME II Problems/Problem 4

Problem

There are real numbers $a, b, c,$ and $d$ such that $-20$ is a root of $x^3 + ax + b$ and $-21$ is a root of $x^3 + cx^2 + d.$ These two polynomials share a complex root $m + \sqrt{n} \cdot i,$ where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers and $i = \sqrt{-1}.$ Find $m+n.$

Solution 1

Conjugate root theorem

Solution in progress

~JimY

Solution 2

Solution 3 (Somewhat Bashy)

$(-20)^{3} + (-20)a + b = 0$ , hence $-20a + b = 8000$

Also, $(-21)^{3} + c(-21)^{2} + d = 0$ , hence $441c + d = 9261$

$m + i \sqrt{n}$

2021 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 3	Followed by Problem 5
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2021 AIME II Problems/Problem 4

Contents

Problem

Solution 1

Solution 2

Solution 3 (Somewhat Bashy)

See also