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Saudi Arabia Mathematical Competitions

Saudi Arabia algebra

Problem

Find all polynomials with real coefficients such that for all ,
Solution
Assume that , where . Taking in the given relation, it follows Looking for the coefficient of in this equation, we obtain the relation , that is . This relation holds for and . For we prove by induction that .

If , that is is a constant polynomial , then it follows, for example from the above, that .

If , that is , , then an easy checking shows that it satisfies the relation in the problem.

If , we can choose , , which also satisfies the relation.

Finally, we find that all desired polynomials are where .
Final answer
P(t) = a t^2 + b t for real a, b

Techniques

PolynomialsFunctional Equations