2021 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 16

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Problem

Let $g(x)$ be a polynomial with leading coefficient $1,$ whose three roots are the reciprocals of the three roots of $f(x)=x^3+ax^2+bx+c,$ where $1<a<b<c.$ What is $g(1)$ in terms of $a,b,$ and $c?$

$\textbf{(A) }\frac{1+a+b+c}c \qquad \textbf{(B) }1+a+b+c \qquad \textbf{(C) }\frac{1+a+b+c}{c^2}\qquad \textbf{(D) }\frac{a+b+c}{c^2} \qquad \textbf{(E) }\frac{1+a+b+c}{a+b+c}$

Solution 1

Note that $f(1/x)$ has the same roots as $g(x)$, if it is multiplied by some monomial so that the leading term is $x^3$ they will be equal. We have \[f(1/x) = \frac{1}{x^3} + \frac{a}{x^2}+\frac{b}{x} + c\] so we can see that \[g(x) = \frac{x^3}{c}f(1/x)\] Therefore \[g(1) = \frac{1}{c}f(1) = \boxed{\textbf{(A) }\frac{1+a+b+c}c}\]

Solution 2 (Vieta's bash)

Let the three roots of $f(x)$ be $d$, $e$, and $f$. (Here e does NOT mean 2.7182818...) We know that $a=-(d+e+f)$, $b=de+ef+df$, and $c=-def$, and that $g(1)=1-\frac{1}{d}-\frac{1}{e}-\frac{1}{f}+\frac{1}{de}+\frac{1}{ef}+\frac{1}{df}-\frac{1}{def}$ (Vieta's). This is equal to $\frac{def-de-df-ef+d+e+f-1}{def}$, which equals $\boxed{(\textbf{A}) \frac{1+a+b+c}{c}}$. -dstanz5

Video Solution by OmegaLearn (Vieta's Formula)

https://youtu.be/afrGHNo_JcY

~ pi_is_3.14

Video Solution by Hawk Math

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4iCAZRUESs

See Also

2021 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 15
Followed by
Problem 17
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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