Problem
Let P(x) be the degree three polynomial with P(1)P(2)P(3)P(4)=log1,=log2,=log3,=log4.Then P(5) can be expressed in the form AlogCB, where A, B, and C are positive integers, and C is prime. Find A+B+C.
Solution — click to reveal
Let the cubic polynomial be P(x)=ax3+bx2+cx+d. Then a+b+c+d8a+4b+2c+d27a+9b+3c+d64a+16b+4c+d125a+25b+5c+d=P(1),=P(2),=P(3),=P(4),=P(5).Subtracting the first and second equations, second and third equations, and third and fourth equations, we get 7a+3b+c19a+5b+c37a+7b+c61a+9b+c=P(2)−P(1),=P(3)−P(2),=P(4)−P(3),=P(5)−P(4).Again subtracting the equations in pairs, we get 12a+2b18a+2b24a+2b=P(3)−2P(2)+P(1),=P(4)−2P(3)+P(2),=P(5)−2P(4)+P(3).Then 6a6a=P(4)−3P(3)+3P(2)−P(1),=P(5)−3P(4)+3P(3)−P(2),so P(5)−3P(4)+3P(3)−P(2)=P(4)−3P(3)+3P(2)−P(1).
Hence, P(5)=4P(4)−6P(3)+4P(2)−P(1)=4log4−6log3+4log2−log1=4log22−6log3+4log2=8log2−6log3+4log2=12log2−6log3=6log4−6log3=6log34.Therefore, A+B+C=6+4+3=13.