MHB Prove Polynomial Roots: a(b) of x^6+x^4+x^3-x^2-1

  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Polynomial Roots
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on proving that if \( a \) and \( b \) are roots of the polynomial \( x^4+x^3-1 \), then \( ab \) is a root of the polynomial \( x^6+x^4+x^3-x^2-1 \). Using Vieta's relations, the roots \( a, b, c, \) and \( d \) are analyzed, leading to equations involving sums and products of the roots. By substituting variables for the sums and products, the relationships are manipulated to derive a polynomial equation in terms of \( p \), which represents \( ab \). Ultimately, it is shown that \( p \) satisfies the polynomial \( p^6 + p^4 + p^3 - p^2 - 1 = 0 \), confirming that \( ab \) is indeed a root of the specified polynomial. The proof effectively demonstrates the relationship between the roots of the two polynomials.
anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
If $$a,\;b$$ are roots of polynomial $$x^4+x^3-1$$, prove that $$a(b)$$ is a root of polynomial $$x^6+x^4+x^3-x^2-1$$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
anemone said:
If $$a,\;b$$ are roots of polynomial $$x^4+x^3-1$$, prove that $$a(b)$$ is a root of polynomial $$x^6+x^4+x^3-x^2-1$$.

you mean ab

Let other 2 roots be c and d

From viete’s relation

We have
a+b+ c+d = - 1 ..1
ab+ac+ad+bc+ bd + cd = 0 ..2
abc+abd+acd+bcd = 0 ..3
abcd = - 1 ..4

now letting s = a+ b, t = c+d, p = ab q = cd we get

s+ t = - 1 or t = -1 –s (1)
p + q + st = 0 …(2)
pt + sq = 0 … (3)
pq = -1 or q = - 1/p

now from (2) p – 1/p –s – s^2 = 0 …(5)
and from (3) –p – ps – s/p =0 => s = - p^2/(p^2+1) …(6)

putting in (5) the value of s we get

p – 1/p +p^2/(p^2+ 1) – p^4/(p^2+1)^2 = 0

or multiplying by (p^2+1) we get

p^6 + p^4 +p^3 – p^2 – 1= 0

so p or ab is a root of it
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K