A problem of factoring a polynomial with a hint












1












$begingroup$


PT $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ can not be factored into two smaller polynomial $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ with integer coefficients, where $a_{i}$'s are all different integers.



This problem can be solved by considering the root of equation $P(x)Q(x)-1=0$



This problem comes from Terry Tao's book Solving mathematical problem(page 47), in which he gives a hint as




if P(x) and Q(x) are such factors then what can you say about $P(x)-Q(x)$




How does one solve this problem this hint?



Edit:
This appears not to be true as pointed out by Darji and Eric. For interested readers, The actual problem can be found here, page 47 Excercise 3.7






polynomials contest-math irreducible-polynomials







share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What if $n=2$, $a_1 = 1$ and $a_2 = -1$?
    $endgroup$
    – darij grinberg
    3 hours ago
















1












$begingroup$


PT $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ can not be factored into two smaller polynomial $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ with integer coefficients, where $a_{i}$'s are all different integers.



This problem can be solved by considering the root of equation $P(x)Q(x)-1=0$



This problem comes from Terry Tao's book Solving mathematical problem(page 47), in which he gives a hint as




if P(x) and Q(x) are such factors then what can you say about $P(x)-Q(x)$




How does one solve this problem this hint?



Edit:
This appears not to be true as pointed out by Darji and Eric. For interested readers, The actual problem can be found here, page 47 Excercise 3.7






polynomials contest-math irreducible-polynomials







share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What if $n=2$, $a_1 = 1$ and $a_2 = -1$?
    $endgroup$
    – darij grinberg
    3 hours ago














1












1








1





$begingroup$


PT $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ can not be factored into two smaller polynomial $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ with integer coefficients, where $a_{i}$'s are all different integers.



This problem can be solved by considering the root of equation $P(x)Q(x)-1=0$



This problem comes from Terry Tao's book Solving mathematical problem(page 47), in which he gives a hint as




if P(x) and Q(x) are such factors then what can you say about $P(x)-Q(x)$




How does one solve this problem this hint?



Edit:
This appears not to be true as pointed out by Darji and Eric. For interested readers, The actual problem can be found here, page 47 Excercise 3.7






polynomials contest-math irreducible-polynomials







share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




PT $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ can not be factored into two smaller polynomial $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ with integer coefficients, where $a_{i}$'s are all different integers.



This problem can be solved by considering the root of equation $P(x)Q(x)-1=0$



This problem comes from Terry Tao's book Solving mathematical problem(page 47), in which he gives a hint as




if P(x) and Q(x) are such factors then what can you say about $P(x)-Q(x)$




How does one solve this problem this hint?



Edit:
This appears not to be true as pointed out by Darji and Eric. For interested readers, The actual problem can be found here, page 47 Excercise 3.7






polynomials contest-math irreducible-polynomials




polynomials contest-math irreducible-polynomials






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited 12 mins ago







zimbra314

















asked 3 hours ago









zimbra314zimbra314

523212




523212








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What if $n=2$, $a_1 = 1$ and $a_2 = -1$?
    $endgroup$
    – darij grinberg
    3 hours ago














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    What if $n=2$, $a_1 = 1$ and $a_2 = -1$?
    $endgroup$
    – darij grinberg
    3 hours ago








1




1




$begingroup$
What if $n=2$, $a_1 = 1$ and $a_2 = -1$?
$endgroup$
– darij grinberg
3 hours ago




$begingroup$
What if $n=2$, $a_1 = 1$ and $a_2 = -1$?
$endgroup$
– darij grinberg
3 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















5












$begingroup$

Notice that $P(a_i)Q(a_i)=1$ for all $i$. But since $P$ and $Q$ have integer coefficients and the $a_i$ are integers, this means $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=1$ or $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=-1$ for each $i$. In particular, $a_i$ is a root of $P-Q$ for each $i$, so $P-Q$ is either $0$ or has degree at least $n$.



But, since $deg(PQ)=n$, the only way $P-Q$ can have degree at least $n$ is if one of $P$ and $Q$ has degree $n$ and the other is a constant. Presumably this possibility is meant to be excluded by the requirement that $P$ and $Q$ are "smaller" polynomials.



The only remaining possibility is that $P-Q=0$, so $P=Q$. This actually is possible--for instance, as darij grinberg commented, you could have $n=2$, $a_1=1$, and $a_2=-1$ and so the polynomial is $(x-1)(x+1)+1=x^2$ and so we can have $P(x)=Q(x)=x$. Another example (with $n=4$) is $$(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)+1=(x^2-5x+5)^2.$$ So, the problem statement is not quite correct without some additional assumption to rule out this case.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
    $endgroup$
    – zimbra314
    15 mins ago











Your Answer





StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
});
});
}, "mathjax-editing");

StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "69"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});


}
});














draft saved

draft discarded


















StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3098151%2fa-problem-of-factoring-a-polynomial-with-a-hint%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown

























1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









5












$begingroup$

Notice that $P(a_i)Q(a_i)=1$ for all $i$. But since $P$ and $Q$ have integer coefficients and the $a_i$ are integers, this means $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=1$ or $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=-1$ for each $i$. In particular, $a_i$ is a root of $P-Q$ for each $i$, so $P-Q$ is either $0$ or has degree at least $n$.



But, since $deg(PQ)=n$, the only way $P-Q$ can have degree at least $n$ is if one of $P$ and $Q$ has degree $n$ and the other is a constant. Presumably this possibility is meant to be excluded by the requirement that $P$ and $Q$ are "smaller" polynomials.



The only remaining possibility is that $P-Q=0$, so $P=Q$. This actually is possible--for instance, as darij grinberg commented, you could have $n=2$, $a_1=1$, and $a_2=-1$ and so the polynomial is $(x-1)(x+1)+1=x^2$ and so we can have $P(x)=Q(x)=x$. Another example (with $n=4$) is $$(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)+1=(x^2-5x+5)^2.$$ So, the problem statement is not quite correct without some additional assumption to rule out this case.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
    $endgroup$
    – zimbra314
    15 mins ago
















5












$begingroup$

Notice that $P(a_i)Q(a_i)=1$ for all $i$. But since $P$ and $Q$ have integer coefficients and the $a_i$ are integers, this means $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=1$ or $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=-1$ for each $i$. In particular, $a_i$ is a root of $P-Q$ for each $i$, so $P-Q$ is either $0$ or has degree at least $n$.



But, since $deg(PQ)=n$, the only way $P-Q$ can have degree at least $n$ is if one of $P$ and $Q$ has degree $n$ and the other is a constant. Presumably this possibility is meant to be excluded by the requirement that $P$ and $Q$ are "smaller" polynomials.



The only remaining possibility is that $P-Q=0$, so $P=Q$. This actually is possible--for instance, as darij grinberg commented, you could have $n=2$, $a_1=1$, and $a_2=-1$ and so the polynomial is $(x-1)(x+1)+1=x^2$ and so we can have $P(x)=Q(x)=x$. Another example (with $n=4$) is $$(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)+1=(x^2-5x+5)^2.$$ So, the problem statement is not quite correct without some additional assumption to rule out this case.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
    $endgroup$
    – zimbra314
    15 mins ago














5












5








5





$begingroup$

Notice that $P(a_i)Q(a_i)=1$ for all $i$. But since $P$ and $Q$ have integer coefficients and the $a_i$ are integers, this means $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=1$ or $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=-1$ for each $i$. In particular, $a_i$ is a root of $P-Q$ for each $i$, so $P-Q$ is either $0$ or has degree at least $n$.



But, since $deg(PQ)=n$, the only way $P-Q$ can have degree at least $n$ is if one of $P$ and $Q$ has degree $n$ and the other is a constant. Presumably this possibility is meant to be excluded by the requirement that $P$ and $Q$ are "smaller" polynomials.



The only remaining possibility is that $P-Q=0$, so $P=Q$. This actually is possible--for instance, as darij grinberg commented, you could have $n=2$, $a_1=1$, and $a_2=-1$ and so the polynomial is $(x-1)(x+1)+1=x^2$ and so we can have $P(x)=Q(x)=x$. Another example (with $n=4$) is $$(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)+1=(x^2-5x+5)^2.$$ So, the problem statement is not quite correct without some additional assumption to rule out this case.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$



Notice that $P(a_i)Q(a_i)=1$ for all $i$. But since $P$ and $Q$ have integer coefficients and the $a_i$ are integers, this means $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=1$ or $P(a_i)=Q(a_i)=-1$ for each $i$. In particular, $a_i$ is a root of $P-Q$ for each $i$, so $P-Q$ is either $0$ or has degree at least $n$.



But, since $deg(PQ)=n$, the only way $P-Q$ can have degree at least $n$ is if one of $P$ and $Q$ has degree $n$ and the other is a constant. Presumably this possibility is meant to be excluded by the requirement that $P$ and $Q$ are "smaller" polynomials.



The only remaining possibility is that $P-Q=0$, so $P=Q$. This actually is possible--for instance, as darij grinberg commented, you could have $n=2$, $a_1=1$, and $a_2=-1$ and so the polynomial is $(x-1)(x+1)+1=x^2$ and so we can have $P(x)=Q(x)=x$. Another example (with $n=4$) is $$(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)+1=(x^2-5x+5)^2.$$ So, the problem statement is not quite correct without some additional assumption to rule out this case.







share|cite|improve this answer














share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer








edited 3 hours ago

























answered 3 hours ago









Eric WofseyEric Wofsey

184k13213339




184k13213339












  • $begingroup$
    Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
    $endgroup$
    – zimbra314
    15 mins ago


















  • $begingroup$
    Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
    $endgroup$
    – zimbra314
    15 mins ago
















$begingroup$
Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
$endgroup$
– zimbra314
15 mins ago




$begingroup$
Great example. So it appears if $(x-a_{1})(x-a_{2})..(x-a_{n})+1$ reducible then it is also a square of a polynomial?
$endgroup$
– zimbra314
15 mins ago


















draft saved

draft discarded




















































Thanks for contributing an answer to Mathematics Stack Exchange!


  • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid …



  • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

  • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




draft saved


draft discarded














StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f3098151%2fa-problem-of-factoring-a-polynomial-with-a-hint%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest















Required, but never shown





















































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown

































Required, but never shown














Required, but never shown












Required, but never shown







Required, but never shown







-

Popular posts from this blog

Plaza Victoria

Image
Plaza Victoria Plaza Victoria en 2017 Otros nombres Plaza de La Victoria Localización El Almendral, Valparaíso, Chile Vías adyacentes Chacabuco, Molina, Plaza Victoria y Edwards Creación 1841 Metro Bellavista Ubicación 33°02′46″S 71°37′11″O  /  -33.04624167, -71.61980833 Coordenadas: 33°02′46″S 71°37′11″O  /  -33.04624167, -71.61980833 [editar datos en Wikidata] La Plaza Victoria , también llamada Plaza de la Victoria , [ 1 ] ​ es una plaza ubicada en el sector El Almendral del plan de la ciudad de Valparaíso, Chile, de importancia patrimonial, que incluye valiosas estatuas y especies vegetales. [ 2 ] ​ La plaza se creó como tal en la primera mitad del siglo XIX, tomando previamente los nombres de Plaza Nueva y Plaza de Orrego . Si bien desde sus inicios tuvo relevancia histórica, no fue sino a partir de fines de los años 1860 cuando comenzó a cobrar mayor importancia y se convirtió en uno de los principales centros sociales de l
Read more

Puebla de Zaragoza

Image
Para otros usos de este término, véase Puebla (desambiguación). Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza Localidad De arriba a abajo de izquierda a derecha: Estrella de Puebla, Volcán Popocatépetl, Catedral de Puebla, Monumento a Ignacio Zaragoza, Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Angelópolis y Vista panorámica de la ciudad. Escudo Otros nombres: El relicario de América/ La ciudad de los Ángeles/ La Angelópolis Lema: Muy noble y muy leal ciudad de Puebla de los Ángeles Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza Localización de Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza en México Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza Localización de Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza en Puebla Mapa interactivo Coordenadas 19°03′05″N 98°13′04″O  /  19.051388888889, -98.217777777778 Coordenadas: 19°03′05″N 98°13′04″O  /  19.051388888889, -98.217777777778 Idioma oficial Español Entidad Localidad  • País   México  • Estado Puebla  • Municipio Puebla Presidente municipal Claudia Rivera Vivanc
Read more

Musa

Image
Para el género de plantas, véase Musa (planta). Apolo y la Nueve Musas En la mitología griega, las musas (en griego antiguo μοῦσαι « mousai» ) son, según los escritores más antiguos, las divinidades inspiradoras de las Artes: cada una de ellas está relacionada con ramas artísticas y del conocimiento. Son hijas de Zeus y de Mnemósine, compañeras del séquito de Apolo, dios olímpico de la música y patrón de las bellas artes, quien tuvo romances con cada una de ellas, dejando descendientes. Bajaban a la tierra a susurrar ideas e inspirar a aquellos mortales que las invocaran. En la época más arcaica eran las ninfas inspiradoras de las fuentes, en las cuales eran adoradas. Finalmente, alrededor de los siglos VIII-VII a. C. [ 1 ] ​ prevaleció en todo el territorio de la Hélade la adoración de las nueve Musas, que son Calíope, Clío, Erato, Euterpe, Melpómene, Polimnia, Talía, Terpsícore y Urania. El culto a las musas era originalmente de Tracia y Beocia, y fueron de vital impo
Read more