Problem: Find all irrational numbers x such that x3−17x and x2+4x are both rational numbers.
Solution
Solution: Answer: −2±5 From x2+4x∈Q, we deduce that (x+2)2=x2+4x+4 is also rational, and hence x=−2±y, where y is rational. Then x3−17x=(26−6y)±(y−5)y, which forces y to be 5. Hence x=−2±5. It is easy to check that both values satisfy the problem conditions.
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Source: MathNet,
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