Difference between revisions of "2023 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 21"

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The roots of <math>P(x)</math> are integers, with one exception. The root that is not an integer can be written as <math>\frac{m}{n}</math>, where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are relatively prime integers. What is <math>m+n</math>?
 
The roots of <math>P(x)</math> are integers, with one exception. The root that is not an integer can be written as <math>\frac{m}{n}</math>, where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are relatively prime integers. What is <math>m+n</math>?
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Solution 1
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From the problem statement, we know P(1)=1, P(2-2)=0, P(9)=0 and 4P(4)=0 therefore we know P(x) must at least have the factors x(x-9)(x-4) and we can assume the last factor to be (x-a) where a is the fractional factor. Then we can use the fact that P(1)=1 to obtain that a 1-a must be 1/24 and a is 23/24. The answer is then 47.
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~aiden22gao
  
  
 
== Video Solution 1 by OmegaLearn ==
 
== Video Solution 1 by OmegaLearn ==
 
https://youtu.be/aOL04sKGyfU
 
https://youtu.be/aOL04sKGyfU

Revision as of 17:57, 9 November 2023

Let $P(x)$ be the unique polynomial of minimal degree with the following properties:

  • $P(x)$ has a leading coefficient $1$,
  • $1$ is a root of $P(x)-1$,
  • $2$ is a root of $P(x-2)$,
  • $3$ is a root of $P(3x)$, and
  • $4$ is a root of $4P(x)$.

The roots of $P(x)$ are integers, with one exception. The root that is not an integer can be written as $\frac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime integers. What is $m+n$?

Solution 1 From the problem statement, we know P(1)=1, P(2-2)=0, P(9)=0 and 4P(4)=0 therefore we know P(x) must at least have the factors x(x-9)(x-4) and we can assume the last factor to be (x-a) where a is the fractional factor. Then we can use the fact that P(1)=1 to obtain that a 1-a must be 1/24 and a is 23/24. The answer is then 47. ~aiden22gao


Video Solution 1 by OmegaLearn

https://youtu.be/aOL04sKGyfU