Solution 1 (Linear Polynomials)
Let R(x)=P(x)+Q(x). Since the x2-terms of P(x) and Q(x) cancel, we conclude that R(x) is a linear polynomial.
Note that
R(16)R(20)=P(16)+Q(16)=P(20)+Q(20)=54+54=53+53=108,=106,
so the slope of R(x) is 20−16106−108=−21.
It follows that the equation of R(x) is
R(x)=−21x+c
for some constant c, and we wish to find R(0)=c.
We substitute x=20 into this equation to get 106=−21⋅20+c, from which c=116.
~MRENTHUSIASM
Solution 2 (Quadratic Polynomials)
Let
P(x)Q(x)==2x2+ax+b,−2x2+cx+d,
for some constants a,b,c and d.
We are given that
P(16)Q(16)P(20)Q(20)====512+16a+b−512+16c+d800+20a+b−800+20c+d=54,=54,=53,=53,(1)(2)(3)(4)
and we wish to find
P(0)+Q(0)=b+d.
We need to cancel a and c. Since lcm(16,20)=80, we subtract 4⋅[(3)+(4)] from 5⋅[(1)+(2)] to get
b+d=5⋅(54+54)−4⋅(53+53)=116.
~MRENTHUSIASM
Solution 3 (Similar to Solution 2)
Like Solution 2, we can begin by setting P and Q to the quadratic above, giving us
P(16)Q(16)P(20)Q(20)====512+16a+b−512+16c+d800+20a+b−800+20c+d=54,=54,=53,=53,(1)(2)(3)(4)
We can first add (1) and (2) to obtain 16(a−c)+(b+d)=108.
Next, we can add (3) and (4) to obtain 20(a−c)+(b+d)=106. By subtracting these two equations, we find that 4(a−c)=−2, so substituting this into equation [(1)+(2)], we know that 4⋅(−2)+(b+d)=108, so therefore b+d=116.
~jessiewang28
Solution 4 (Brute Force)
Let
P(x)Q(x)==2x2+ax+b,−2x2+cx+d,
By substituting (16,54) and (20,53) into these equations, we can get:
2(16)2+16a+b2(20)2+20a+b=54,=53.
Hence, a=−72.25 and b=698.
Similarly,
−2(16)2+16c+d−2(20)2+20c+d=54,=53.
Hence, c=71.75 and d=−582.
Notice that b=P(0) and d=Q(0). Therefore
P(0)+Q(0)=698+(−582)=116.
~Littlemouse
Solution 5
Add the equations of the polynomials y=2x2+ax+b and y=−2x2+cx+d to get 2y=(a+c)x+(b+d). This equation must also pass through the two points (16,54) and (20,53).
Let m=a+c and n=b+d. We then have two equations:
108106=16m+n,=20m+n.
We are trying to solve for n=P(0). Using elimination:
540424=80m+5n,=80m+4n.
Subtracting both equations, we find that n=116.
~eevee9406
Video Solution (Mathematical Dexterity)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUfbEBCQ6RY
Video Solution by MRENTHUSIASM (English & Chinese)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcS5qcqsRyw&ab_channel=MRENTHUSIASM
~MRENTHUSIASM
Video Solution
https://youtu.be/MJ_M-xvwHLk?t=7
~ThePuzzlr
Video Solution
https://youtu.be/eDZUzvwt4SE
~savannahsolver
Video Solution
https://youtu.be/D3sSHlZQIlE
~AMC & AIME Training