Problem:
How many polynomials with integer coefficients and degree at most satisfy for all ?
Problem:
How many polynomials with integer coefficients and degree at most satisfy for all ?
Solution:
Answer:
For each nonnegative integer , let . (Define .)
Lemma: Each polynomial with integer coefficients can be uniquely written in the form
Proof: Induct on the degree. The base case (degree ) is clear. If has degree with leading coefficient , then by matching leading coefficients we must have and . By the induction hypothesis, can be uniquely written as .
There are possible choices for , namely any integer in . Once have been chosen so , for some , then we have
so by choosing we can make any number congruent to modulo . Thus there are choices for . Note the choice of does not affect the value of . Thus all polynomials we obtain in this way are valid. The answer is
Solution:
For each nonnegative integer , let . (Define .)
Lemma: Each polynomial with integer coefficients can be uniquely written in the form
Proof: Induct on the degree. The base case (degree ) is clear. If has degree with leading coefficient , then by matching leading coefficients we must have and . By the induction hypothesis, can be uniquely written as .
There are possible choices for , namely any integer in . Once have been chosen so , for some , then we have
so by choosing we can make any number congruent to modulo . Thus there are choices for . Note the choice of does not affect the value of . Thus all polynomials we obtain in this way are valid. The answer is