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algebra intermediate
Problem
For some integer , the polynomial has the three integer roots , , and . Find
Solution
By Vieta's formulas, Since the second equation becomes , or At least two of must have the same sign; without loss of generality, let and have the same sign. Furthermore, since we can negate all of and still satisfy the two above equations, assume that (Note that we only want the sum , which does not change if we swap or negate the variables.)
Now, we have so , giving We also have by AM-GM, so giving
Finally, we have , which must be a perfect square.
Testing , we find that is a perfect square only when . Therefore, , and so Thus, and are the roots of , which factors as . Thus, .
The answer is
Now, we have so , giving We also have by AM-GM, so giving
Finally, we have , which must be a perfect square.
Testing , we find that is a perfect square only when . Therefore, , and so Thus, and are the roots of , which factors as . Thus, .
The answer is
Final answer
98