Let and be non-constant polynomial functions with integer coefficients. It is known that the polynomial
has at least 33 different integer roots. Prove that neither nor can be a polynomial of degree less than three.
Solution
Let be different integer roots of . Hence, for all . It follows that all integers , are divisors of . Because , this number has distinct integer divisors, positive and negative. Therefore, by the Pigeon Hole principle, at least three of the numbers are equal. Suppose without loss of generality that . Then has at least three distinct roots. Hence its degree and that of the polynomial is at least . The same argument works for the polynomial .
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