We call a polynomial special if are distinct positive integers. Do there exist an infinite set of polynomials with real coefficients such that the product of each two of them is special?
Solution
We first prove the following lemma.
Lemma. Let be a polynomial with complex coefficients such that its leading coefficient is rational. If for some positive integer we have , then the polynomial would also be in .
Proof. Assume . Then we can write . Now, assume inductively that are rational then we must prove is rational. For proving this, we compare the coefficient of in the both sides. Then we can say that where is a rational number. We conclude that is also a rational number. That is, must have rational coefficients.
Now we want to prove that has integer coefficients. If for some we have , then by use of Gauss's lemma, we can say that there exists a rational number such that the polynomials and have integer coefficients. Assume where . Thus we can say that and have integer coefficients. Therefore, the polynomial has integer coefficients. We know there exist integers such that . Thus the polynomial has integer coefficients. Continuing this process we can observe that has integer coefficients.
We also need the following lemma.
Lemma. Let and be two polynomials with rational coefficients such that divides then the quotient of these polynomials, i.e., has rational coefficients.
Proof. It is clear based on the division algorithm of polynomials.
Back to our problem, let , and be three elements of the desired set. Since , and all have integer coefficients then has also rational coefficients. Let and be the leading coefficients of , and , respectively. Since , and are all special, it follows that . Hence, . Applying above lemma, we find that , and have rational coefficients. Thus, , and are rational numbers. Further, . It follows that . This is impossible. So, such a set doesn't exist. ■