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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

Let Suppose that There is a point for which for all such polynomials, where and are not integers. Find the point
Solution
Observe that Adding the above two equations gives , and so we can deduce that . Similarly, plugging in and gives and . Now, Therefore, and . Finally, Hence, . Now, If for every such polynomial, then These factor as Hence, or

Substituting into the second equation, we get so 0, or 1.

Substituting into the second equation, we again get so 0, or 1.

Substituting into the second equation, we get This simplifies to which factors as We are looking for a value where is not an integer, so Then so

This is an instance of a result known as Bezout's Theorem, from algebraic geometry. Loosely speaking, Bezout's Theorem states that if we plot two curves, then the number of intersection points is equal to the product of their degrees. Here, one curve is shown in red below, which consists of three lines. The other curve is shown in blue below, which consists of a line and a hyperbola. The degree of both curves is 3. Note how the red and blue curves intersect at the eight given points, so by Bezout's Theorem, there is a ninth point of intersection, which is exactly

Final answer
\left( \frac{5}{19}, \frac{16}{19} \right)