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Croatia 2018 algebra
Problem
Let . In each step, Lucija is extending the set in the following way. She chooses a polynomial with coefficients in , distinct from zero, and extends with all integer roots of a chosen polynomial. She repeats the procedure by choosing another polynomial with coefficients from the extended set as long as she can get new roots. Prove that Lucija can, in a finite number of steps, extend the set up to the set which is no longer extensible. How many elements does the set have at the end?
Solution
If the coefficients of a polynomial are integers, then its roots must divide the constant term. Without loss of generality, we may assume that the constant term of the chosen polynomial is non-zero, so we conclude that we can extend only with the divisors of . Since has only finitely many divisors, Lucija will not be able to extend indefinitely.
We will prove that Lucija can add all the divisors of into , i.e. that will have elements in the end.
Since is the root of the polynomial , we can add to .
Number is a root of , so can be extended with .
Now we can extend with because it is the root of .
Polynomial with coefficients in has a root , hence becomes an element of . Now we add into , because is the root of .
In the end, , since these are the roots of polynomials and .
We will prove that Lucija can add all the divisors of into , i.e. that will have elements in the end.
Since is the root of the polynomial , we can add to .
Number is a root of , so can be extended with .
Now we can extend with because it is the root of .
Polynomial with coefficients in has a root , hence becomes an element of . Now we add into , because is the root of .
In the end, , since these are the roots of polynomials and .
Final answer
9
Techniques
Irreducibility: Rational Root Theorem, Gauss's Lemma, EisensteinFactorization techniques