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Printjmc
algebra intermediate
Problem
How many ordered triplets of rational numbers are there where are the roots of
Solution
Since are the roots of the cubic polynomial, Vieta's formulas give us:
Let's do this with casework. Assume This satisfies equation (3). Equation (1) translates to and equation (2) translates to If then If then and
Now assume Equation (3) then requires that
Equation (2) then becomes
Let Then (2) gives and (1) then gives This is our third solution.
If and then from the equation ,
Using (4) to simplify:
Now (1) gives
Or However, this has no rational roots (we can test ). Therefore we have solutions: , , and .
Let's do this with casework. Assume This satisfies equation (3). Equation (1) translates to and equation (2) translates to If then If then and
Now assume Equation (3) then requires that
Equation (2) then becomes
Let Then (2) gives and (1) then gives This is our third solution.
If and then from the equation ,
Using (4) to simplify:
Now (1) gives
Or However, this has no rational roots (we can test ). Therefore we have solutions: , , and .
Final answer
3