Let P(x)=x2−3x−7, and let Q(x) and R(x) be two quadratic polynomials also with the coefficient of x2 equal to 1. David computes each of the three sums P+Q, P+R, and Q+R and is surprised to find that each pair of these sums has a common root, and these three common roots are distinct. If Q(0)=2, then R(0)=nm, where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find m+n.
解析
Solution 1
Let Q(x)=x2+ax+2 and R(x)=x2+bx+c. We can write the following:
P+Q=2x2+(a−3)x−5P+R=2x2+(b−3)x+(c−7)Q+R=2x2+(a+b)x+(c+2)
Let the common root of P+Q,P+R be r; P+R,Q+R be s; and P+Q,Q+R be t. We then have that the roots of P+Q are r,t, the roots of P+R are r,s, and the roots of Q+R are s,t.
By Vieta's, we have:
r+t=23−a(1)r+s=23−b(2)s+t=2−a−b(3)rt=2−5(4)rs=2c−7(5)st=2c+2(6)
Subtracting (3) from (1), we get r−s=23+b. Adding this to (2), we get 2r=3⟹r=23. This gives us that t=3−5 from (4). Substituting these values into (5) and (6), we get s=3c−7 and s=10−3c−6. Equating these values, we get 3c−7=10−3c−6⟹c=1952=R(0). Thus, our answer is 52+19=071. ~ TopNotchMath
Solution 2
We know that P(x)=x2−3x−7.
Since Q(0)=2, the constant term in Q(x) is 2. Let Q(x)=x2+ax+2.
Finally, let R(x)=x2+bx+c.
P(x)+Q(x)=2x2+(a−3)x−5. Let its roots be p and q.
P(x)+R(x)=2x2+(b−3)x+(c−7) Let its roots be p and r.
Q(x)+R(x)=2x2+(a+b)x+(c+2). Let its roots be q and r.
By vietas, p+q=23−a,p+r=23−b,q+r=2−(a+b)
We could work out the system of equations, but it's pretty easy to see that p=23,q=−2a,r=−2b.
Again, by vietas, pq=−25, pr=2c−7, qr=2c+2, multiplying everything together and taking the sqrt of both sides,
(pqr)2=(−25)(2c−7)(2c+2)pqr=(−25)(2c−7)(2c+2)Dividing this equation by qr=2c+2
qrpqr=2c+2(−25)(2c−7)(2c+2)p=2c+2(−25)(2c−7)Recall that p=23 and square both sides
49=2c+2(−25)(2c−7)Solving gives c=1952, so our answer is 071
~quacker88
Solution 3 (Official MAA)
Let the common root of P+Q and P+R be p, the common root of P+Q and Q+R be q, and the common root of Q+R and P+R be r. Because p and q are both roots of P+Q and P+Q has leading coefficient 2, it follows that P(x)+Q(x)=2(x−p)(x−q). Similarly, P(x)+R(x)=2(x−p)(x−r) and Q(x)+R(x)=2(x−q)(x−r). Adding these three equations together and dividing by 2 yields
P(x)+Q(x)+R(x)=(x−p)(x−q)+(x−p)(x−r)+(x−q)(x−r),
so
Q(x)=x2−2qx+(pq+qr−pr) andR(x)=x2−2rx+(pr+qr−pq).
Comparing the x coefficients yields p=23, and comparing the constant coefficients yields −7=pq+pr−qr=23(q+r)−qr. The fact that Q(0)=2 implies that 23(q−r)+qr=2. Adding these two equations yields q=−35, and so substituting back in to solve for r gives r=−1927. Finally,
R(0)=pr+qr−pq=(−1927)(23−35)+25=389+25=1952.
The requested sum is 52+19=71. Note that Q(x)=x2+310x+2 and R(x)=x2+1954x+1952.