2019 AIME II Problems/Problem 8

Problem 8

The polynomial $f(z)=az^{2018}+bz^{2017}+cz^{2016}$ has real coefficients not exceeding $2019$, and $f\left(\tfrac{1+\sqrt{3}i}{2}\right)=2015+2019\sqrt{3}i$. Find the remainder when $f(1)$ is divided by $1000$.

Solution 1

We have $\frac{1+\sqrt{3}i}{2} = \omega$ where $\omega = e^{\frac{i\pi}{3}}$ is a primitive 6th root of unity. Then we have

\begin{align*} f(\omega) &= a\omega^{2018} + b\omega^{2017} + c\omega^{2016}\\ &= a\omega^2 + b\omega + c \end{align*}

We wish to find $f(1) = a+b+c$. We first look at the real parts. As $\text{Re}(\omega^2) = -\frac{1}{2}$ and $\text{Re}(\omega) = \frac{1}{2}$, we have $-\frac{1}{2}a + \frac{1}{2}b + c = 2015 \implies -a+b + 2c = 4030$. Looking at imaginary parts, we have $\text{Im}(\omega^2) = \text{Im}(\omega) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$, so $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}(a+b) = 2019\sqrt{3} \implies a+b = 4038$. As $a$ and $b$ do not exceed 2019, we must have $a = 2019$ and $b = 2019$. Then $c = \frac{4030}{2} = 2015$, so $f(1) = 4038 + 2015 = 6053 \implies f(1) \pmod{1000} = \boxed{053}$.

-scrabbler94

Solution 2

Denote $\frac{1+\sqrt{3}i}{2}$ with $\omega$.

By using the quadratic formula ($\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$) in reverse, we can find that $\omega$ is the solution to a quadratic equation of the form $ax^2+bx+c=0$ such that $2a=2$, $-b=1$, and $b^2-4ac=-3$. This clearly solves to $a=1$, $b=-1$, and $c=1$, so $\omega$ solves $x^2-x+1=0$.

Multiplying $x^2-x+1=0$ by $x+1$ on both sides yields $x^3+1=0$. Muliplying this by $x^3-1$ on both sides yields $x^6-1=0$, or $x^6=1$. This means that $\omega^6=1$.

We can use this to simplify the equation $a\omega^{2018}+b\omega^{2017}+c\omega^{2016}=f(\omega)=2015+2019\sqrt{3}i$ to $a\omega^2+b\omega+c=2015+2019\sqrt{3}i.$

As in Solution 1, we use the values $\omega=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}i$ and $\omega^2=-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}i$ to find that $-\frac{1}{2}a+\frac{1}{2}b+c=2015$ and $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}b=2019\sqrt{3} \implies a+b=4038.$ Since neither $a$ nor $b$ can exceed $2019$, they must both be equal to $2019$. Since $a$ and $b$ are equal, they cancel out in the first equation, resulting in $c=2015$.

Therefore, $f(1)=a+b+c=2019+2019+2015=6053$, and $6053\bmod1000=\boxed{053}$. ~emerald_block

 2019 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) Preceded byProblem 7 Followed byProblem 9 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 All AIME Problems and Solutions