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smc

algebra senior

Problem

The polynomial has integer coefficients and three distinct positive zeros. Exactly one of these is an integer, and it is the sum of the other two. How many values of are possible?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
Let the roots be , and let . Then and by matching coefficients, . Then our polynomial looks like and we need the number of possible products . Because is an integer, we also note that must be an integer. Since and , it follows that , with the endpoints not achievable because the roots must be distinct and positive. Because neither nor can be an integer, there are possible values of .
Final answer
C