Browse · MATH
Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
Let be a polynomial such that for all real numbers Find the sum of all possible values of
Solution
Let be the degree of Then the degree of is Hence, the degree of is and the degree of is 1, so we must have
Accordingly, let Then Expanding, we get Comparing coefficients, we get From the first equation, which factors as so or
From the second equation, Since cannot be
Hence, or and the sum of all possible values of is
Accordingly, let Then Expanding, we get Comparing coefficients, we get From the first equation, which factors as so or
From the second equation, Since cannot be
Hence, or and the sum of all possible values of is
Final answer
-10